Open Access

ARTICLE

Resorption Efficiency of Four Cations in Different Tree Species in a Subtropical Common Garden

by Yaoyi Zhang, Xiangyin Ni, Jing Yang, Siyi Tan, Shu Liao, Dingyi Wang, Kai Yue, Fuzhong Wu^*

Key Laboratory for Humid Subtropical Eco-Geographical Processes of the Ministry of Education, School of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, 350007, China

* Corresponding Author: Fuzhong Wu. Email:

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany 2022, 91(1), 185-196. https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2022.016117

Received 08 February 2021; Accepted 22 April 2021; Issue published 16 August 2021

Abstract

High rainfall in subtropical regions can leach cation elements from ecosystems, which may limit plant growth. Plants often develop efficient resorption patterns to recycle elements, but there is relatively little available information on this topic. In February 2012, a common garden was established in a subtropical forest by planting dominant trees from the area. Green and senescent leaves were sampled from 11 tree species. The concentrations of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na) and magnesium (Mg) were determined, and the resorption efficiencies were calculated. The results showed significant K, Na and Mg resorption in most of the investigated tree species, while Ca mainly displayed accumulation. Evergreen coniferous and evergreen broad-leaved trees (such as Cunninghamia lanceolata, Pinus massoniana, Cinnamomum camphora, and Michelia macclurei) exhibited relatively higher resorption efficiencies of K (39.0%–87.5%) and Na (18.3%–50.2%) than deciduous broad-leaved trees. Higher Mg resorption efficiencies (>50%) were detected in Liriodendron chinense, C. lanceolata and P. massoniana than in other trees. Overall, evergreen coniferous and evergreen broad-leaved trees could show higher cation resorption than deciduous broad-leaved trees. K and Mg resorption efficiencies and Ca accumulation decrease with increasing nutrient concentrations in green leaves. Our results emphasize that nutrient resorption patterns largely depend on elements and plant functions, which provides new insights into the nutrient use strategies of subtropical plants and a reference for the selection of suitable tree species in this region.

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