Inducing condensed tannin production in Colophospermum mopane: absence of response to soil N and P fertility and physical damage

• Published in: Plant and soil 2005-06, Vol.273 (1-2), p.203-209
• Main Authors: Ferwerda, J.G, Wieren, S.E. van, Skidmore, A.K, Prins, H.H.T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Autoecology; Biological and medical sciences; Browsing; chemical constituents of plants; Colophospermum mopane; Fertility; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Geochemistry; Herbivores; Leaves; Nitrogen; nutrient availability; Phosphorus; physiological response; plant damage; Plant growth; plant response; Plants; Plants and fungi; resistance mechanisms; Savanna soils; savannas; Soil chemistry; Soil fertility; Soil nutrients; Soil properties; Soil treatment; Tannins; Trees
• ISSN: 0032-079X; 1573-5036
• DOI: 10.1007/s11104-004-7538-1

The effects of available soil N and P and the effect of simulated browsing (leave removal) on foliar condensed tannin (CT) concentration were tested on young Colophospermum mopane (J. Kirk ex Benth) J. Leonard (Mopane) plants. Although clear differences in growth occurred between different levels of soil N, no differences in foliar CT concentration were found. Changes in available soil P and physical damage did not affect the plant growth or chemical composition. The complete absence of response of CT concentration to physical damage and soil nutrients may be related to the age of the trees in this study. It is proposed that existing theories on the interaction between soil properties and carbon based defences in trees are expanded, to include the potential responses of young trees to different soil nutrient levels.