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Temporal Variation In Nutrient Uptake Capacity By Intact Roots Of Mature Loblolly Pine, Melissa S. Lucash, J. Devereux Joslin, Ruth D. Yanai

Environmental Science and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Nutrient uptake is generally thought to exhibit a simple seasonal pattern, but few studies have measured temporal variation of nutrient uptake capacity in mature trees. We measured net uptake capacity of K, NH+ 4, NO 3 −, Mg and Ca across a range of solution concentrations by roots of mature loblolly pine at Calhoun Experimental Forest in October 2001, July 2001, and April 2002. Uptake capacity was generally lowest in July; rates in October were similar to those in April. Across a range of concentrations, antecedent nutrient solution concentrations affected the temporal patterns in uptake in July but not in …