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Does low phosphorus supply limit seedling establishment and tree growth in groves of ectomycorrhizal trees in a central African rainforest?
Author(s) -
Newbery D. M.,
Chuyong G. B.,
Green J. J.,
Songwe N. C.,
Tchuenteu F.,
Zimmermann L.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1469-8137.2002.00505.x
Subject(s) - seedling , rainforest , phosphorus , biology , nutrient , litter , plant litter , botany , limiting , agronomy , horticulture , ecology , chemistry , mechanical engineering , organic chemistry , engineering
Summary• In a forest grove at Korup dominated by the ectomycorrhizal species Microberlinia bisulcata , an experiment tested whether phosphorus (P) was a limiting nutrient. • P‐fertilization of seven subplots 1995–97 was compared with seven controls. It led to large increases in soil P concentrations. Trees were measured in 1995 and 2000. M. bisulcataand four other species were transplanted into the treatments, and a wild cohort ofM. bisulcata seedlings was followed in both. Leaf litter fall from trees and seedlings were analysed for nutrients. • Growth of trees was not affected by added P. Transplanted seedlings survived better in the controls than added‐P subplots: they did not grow better with added‐P. M. bisulcata wildlings survived slightly better in the added‐P subplots in yr 1 but not later. Litter fall and transplanted survivors had much higher concentrations of P (not N) in the added‐P than control subplots. • Under current conditions, it appears that P does not limit growth of trees or hinder seedling establishment, especially of M. bisculcata , in these low‐P grove soils.