Micronutrient distribution in 16-year-old maritime pine.

Area of Science:

• Forestry science
• Plant physiology
• Soil science

Background:

• Micronutrients are vital for tree health and growth.
• Understanding nutrient cycling in forests is crucial for sustainable management.
• Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) is an economically important species in many regions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify micronutrient concentrations (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B) in different tree compartments.
• To investigate the redistribution patterns of these micronutrients within maritime pine.
• To identify the main storage tissues for key micronutrients in Pinus pinaster.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of micronutrient content (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B) in trunk, branches, and needles.
• Sampling of a 16-year-old maritime pine stand.
• Quantitative assessment of nutrient distribution across tree tissues.

Main Results:

• Significant redistribution of micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B) was observed within the trees.
• Trunks and branches were identified as major reservoirs for most micronutrients.
• Manganese (Mn) showed a distinct accumulation pattern, primarily in the needles.

Conclusions:

• Maritime pine exhibits active internal cycling and storage of essential micronutrients.
• Long-lived woody tissues play a key role in micronutrient homeostasis, with specific exceptions like manganese.
• These findings contribute to understanding nutrient dynamics in forest ecosystems and inform forest nutrition management.