Estimating Nutrient Uptake by Mature Tree Roots Under Field Conditions: Challenges and Opportunities
Sponsor
Financial support was provided by the National Science Foundation through grants DEB-0087263 and 9211768.
Document Type
Post-Print
Publication Date
2007
Subjects
Loblolly pine, Trees -- Nutrition, Trees -- Effect of minerals on -- Measurement, Plant-soil relationships, Forest ecology
Abstract
Nutrient uptake by roots of mature trees is difficult to measure accurately under field conditions using existing methods. In this review, we discuss current techniques for measuring uptake at the root surface including excised roots, isotopic tracers, autoradiography, depletion, and lysimeters. Although these methods have provided many insights, each has drawbacks. Estimates of uptake are affected by the sampling scheme, experimental conditions, whether roots are excised or not, concentrations of ions, and the rate of efflux of ions. Microbes and mycorrhizas can also affect estimates of uptake. A greater focus on methods development is critical to advancing our understanding of nutrient uptake of mature trees under conditions representative of those in the field.
DOI
10.1007/s00468-007-0160-0
Persistent Identifier
http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/13210
Citation Details
Lucash, Melissa S.; Eissenstat, Dave M.; Joslin, J. Devereux; McFarlane, Karis J.; and Yanai, Ruth D., "Estimating Nutrient Uptake by Mature Tree Roots Under Field Conditions: Challenges and Opportunities" (2007). Environmental Science and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations. 111.
http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/13210
Description
NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Trees. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version is available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00468-007-0160-0
*At the time of publication Melissa Lucash was affiliated with State University of New York.