Comparison of nutrient concentration of leaves and twigs of Pinus brutia Ten. in different sampling seasons (case study: Makhmalkooh Forest Park)

Tree species have different effects on soil properties and nutrients. Plantation as a management strategy for soil productivity retention and the prevention of destruction can be effective in the continuity of forest productivity. One of the most important goals of planting coniferous species is to increase wood production, create forest parks and conservation forests. The objective of this study was to investigate the seasonal variations in nutrient concentrations in plant organs and soil of pinus brutia Ten.  stands.

For this purpose, the ​​Makhmalkuh forest park in Lorestan province was selected and in 1396, random sampling was performed using 5 (400 m2) sample plots. In each sample plot, an indicator tree pinus brutia Ten. was selected and its young and perennial leaves and twigs were sampled in the upper third of the crown in four seasons, as well as from two depths of 0-5 and 5-15 cm a mixed soil sample was taken in each sample plot. Soil texture, pH, organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), for all samples were measured in the laboratory. The soil parameters, nutrients of soil and plants organs were analyzed by using one-way analysis (ANOVA) and Duncan test procedures among different seasons.

According to the results, the lowest amount of dry weight and percentage of moisture in all four organs was observed in summer and the highest amount was observed in winter. Based on the results, there was a significant difference between the nutrient concentrations of plant organs in different seasons (sig<0.01). In all four organs, the highest amount of nitrogen was recorded in spring, potassium in winter and phosphorus in summer. The results of correlation studies also showed a significant relationship between nutrient concentrations of different organs and different soil characteristics.

High amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus in the spring can be argued that increasing the temperature in most cases increases the metabolic activity in the soil, evaporation and transpiration and absorption of nutrients. Different climatic conditions in different seasons, lack of soil moisture, retranslocation of nutrients from perennial needles and branches to young parts and seasonal and monthly changes in the chemical composition of the throughfall can be the most important reasons for these changes.