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Effects of N addition rates on the productivity ofPicea sitchensis,Thuja plicata, andTsuga heterophylla seedlings

I. Growth rates, biomass allocation and macroelement nutrition

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Abstract

Seedlings ofPicea sitchensis, Thuja plicata andTsuga heterophylla were supplied N hydroponically at one of four exponentially increasing rates of addition (0.09, 0.07, 0.05, or 0.025 gN-1 day-1) for up to 3 months in a naturally illuminated glasshouse. Relative growth rates (RGR) were analyzed as a function of N uptake, the allocation of assimilated N to foliage (LNFR), foliar N concentrations (Nla) and met assimilation rates (NAR), which were combined to estimate N productivity (RGR per unit whole-plant N concentration). Nitrogen accumulation, biomass and N partitioning and RGR and its components varied with species in response to the different N regimes.T. heterophylla had the lowest maximum wholeplant N concentrations (wpN) and specific absorption rates for N and exhibited the least plasticity in root: shoot ratios as wpN increased from 11–21 mg g-1. In all species, RGR increased linearly with wpN, while LNFR increased curvilinearly. Foliar N (Nla) increased linearly with wpN and NAR increased linearly with Nla. The RGRs ofT. heterophylla were highest at wpNs up to 18 mg g-1, a result of higher foliar N use efficiencies (NAR/Nla). However, RGR increased more with wpN inT. plicata andP. sitchensis. Although LNFR increased with wpN in all species, foliar N use efficiency declined, possibly due to an increased partitioning of foliar soluble N to non-photosynthetic compounds. Thus, in each species, N productivity did not increase above intermediate levels of wpN: 14 mg g-1 inT. heterophylla, 16 mg g-1 inP. sitchensis and 17 mg g-1 inT. plicata.

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Author notes

  1. K. R. Brown

    Present address: British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Glyn Road Research Station, 1320 Glyn Road, V8W 3E7, Victoria, BC, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forest Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    K. R. Brown, W. A. Thompson & G. F. Weetman

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  2. W. A. Thompson
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  3. G. F. Weetman
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Brown, K.R., Thompson, W.A. & Weetman, G.F. Effects of N addition rates on the productivity ofPicea sitchensis,Thuja plicata, andTsuga heterophylla seedlings. Trees 10, 189–197 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02340771

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