Organic layers favor phosphorus storage and uptake by young beech trees (Fagus sylvatica L.) at nutrient poor ecosystems

• Published in: Plant and soil 2018-11, Vol.432 (1/2), p.289-301
• Main Authors: Hauenstein, Simon, Neidhardt, Harald, Lang, Friederike, Krüger, Jaane, Hofmann, Diana, Pütz, Thomas, Oelmann, Yvonne
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Beech; Beeches; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Diodes; Ecology; Fagus sylvatica; Forest ecosystems; Forest management; Health aspects; Life Sciences; Mesocosms; Microorganisms; Mineralization; Nutrient availability; Nutrition; Nutritional aspects; Observations; Organic matter; Organic phosphorus; Phosphorus; Plant Physiology; Plant Sciences; Plant-soil relationships; Regular Article; Soil nutrients; Soil phosphorus; Soil Science & Conservation; Sustainability management; Sustainable forestry; Temperate forests; Terrestrial ecosystems; Trees
• ISSN: 0032-079X; 1573-5036
• DOI: 10.1007/s11104-018-3804-5

Aims The accumulation of organic layers in forests is linked to decreasing nutrient availability. Organic layers might represent a source of phosphorus (P) nutrition of trees in forests. Our aims were i) to test if the fate of P in a tree sapling-soil system differs between nutrient-poor and nutrient-rich sites, and ii) to assess the influence of organic layers on the fate of P in a tree sapling-soil system at either site. Methods We conducted a 33P labeling experiment of mesocosms of beech (Fagus sylvatica) saplings. Results Recovery of 33P in the organic layer was greater under nutrient-poor than under nutrient-rich conditions likely caused by the abundance of microorganisms and roots. Under nutrient-poor conditions, we found that the mobilization of P followed by efficient uptake promoted tree sapling growth if the organic layer was present. The presence of organic layers did not significantly influence P uptake by beech saplings under nutrient-rich conditions suggesting mechanisms of P mobilization in addition to organic matter mineralization. Conclusions Our results highlight the importance of organic layers for P nutrition of young beech trees growing on nutrient-poor soils in temperate forest ecosystems. The role of organic layers should be considered for sustainable forest management.