Above- and below-ground nutrient tissue concentration and leaf pigment changes in Nothofagus pumilio seedlings grown under light and soil moisture gradients

SOLER ESTEBAN, R; MARTÍNEZ PASTUR, G; LENCINAS, MV; MORETTO, A; PERI, P

JOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION

TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC

Lugar: Philadelphia; Año: 2011 vol. 34 p. 2222 - 2236

0190-4167

To understand the ecophysiology of natural regeneration above- and below-ground nutrient tissue concentration and leaf pigment changes in N. pumilio seedlings grown in three light intensities (4%, 26% and 64% of natural irradiance) and two soil moisture levels (40-60% and 80-100% soil capacity) under greenhouse controlled conditions were evaluated. Carbon (C), nutrient tissue (N, P, Mg, K and Ca) and pigment (chlorophylls and carotenoids) were measured on seedlings. C, N, Mg, K and Ca increased in low light intensity and soil moisture treatments, while P decreased. Nutrients were higher in above- than in below-ground biomass. Chlorophylls were lower in high light treatments, while carotenoids increased their content. All pigments were greater in low soil moisture treatments. These changes are closely related to their photosynthetic plasticity and biomass compartmentalization. Plants growing in high light were more efficient than those growing in shaded environments to to produce the same amount of plant biomass.