%0 Research Notes
%T Variation in Scots pine needle nutrient con­centrations in relation to position in crown and needle age
%A Kolari, Kimmo K.
%D 1994
%J Suo - Mires and peat
%V 45
%N 2
%U http://suo.fi/article/9737
%X Variation in nutrient concentrations in Scots pine needles in relation to crown position and needle age was examined at two drained peatland fertilization experiments. Samples were taken from plots which had received NPK fertilizer and from sites which had received only P fertilizer and are now suffering from potassium and phosphorus deficiency. In the NPK fertilized plots, potassium concentrations were the lowest in the needles of the uppermost branchlet and increased down the crown. On plots showing potassium deficiency the situation was the opposite. In both experiments phophorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, and boron concentrations decreased and calcium concentrations increased down the crown but in potassium and phosphorus deficient trees calcium and manganese concentrations decreased down the crown. In both experiments phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and boron concentrations decreased with needle age while calcium, iron and manganese concentrations increased. Zinc concentrations increased in NPK fertilized trees but decreased in potassium and phosphorus deficiency trees.

Keywords: Crown position, needle analysis, nutrient variation, Pinus sylvestris