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Genotypic variation in foliar nutrient concentrations, δ 13 C, and chlorophyll fluorescence in relation to tree growth of radiata pine clones in a serpentine soil
Author(s) -
Xue Jianming,
Clinton Peter W.,
Davis Murray R.,
Siddiqui Tahir,
Beets Peter N.,
Leckie Alan C.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of plant nutrition and soil science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.644
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1522-2624
pISSN - 1436-8730
DOI - 10.1002/jpln.201200272
Subject(s) - nutrient , phosphorus , biology , radiata , chlorophyll , botany , potassium , horticulture , chlorophyll fluorescence , genetic variation , soil water , plant nutrition , agronomy , zoology , chemistry , ecology , gene , vigna , biochemistry , organic chemistry
Abstract This study investigated the genotypic variation in foliar nutrient concentrations, isotopic signature (δ 13 C), and chlorophyll fluorescence ( F v /F m ) and tree growth of 40 radiata pine clones grown on a New Zealand serpentine soil, and the relationships between growth and physiological traits of these clones from improved and unimproved groups. Genotypic variation in growth and physiological traits existed within ( i.e., clonal) and between groups, with larger variation among clones. The clonal repeatabilities were greater for foliar nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), boron (B) concentrations, δ 13 C, and Ca : Mg ratio (0.35–0.64) than for growth traits (0.14–0.27) and other physiological traits (0.08–0.24). Significant phenotypic correlations were found between growth traits and foliar phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulfur (S), iron (Fe), and K : Mg and Ca : Mg ratios and F v /F m (positive), and foliar Mg (negative). This study indicates that the trees on this serpentine soil generally suffered from multiple nutrient deficiencies and imbalances and the clonal variation in growth performance was more related to their capabilities of acclimation to nutrient than water stresses. Overall, the clones that absorbed more P, K, S, and Fe and less Mg from the soil grew better on this serpentine soil. For unimproved clones, the most limiting nutrients for tree growth were foliar K and Fe, while for improved clones it was foliar K.