Effect of flooding on elemental uptake and biomass allocation in seedlings of three bottomland tree species

Abstract

Seedlings of baldcypress (Taxodium distichum), nuttall oak (Quercus nuttallii), and cherrybark oak (Quercus falcata var. pagodaefolia) were subjected to flooding for 70 days in a greenhouse. The treatment imposed was reducing soil conditions characterized by low soil redox potential (Eh), and replicated three times. Plant elemental uptake, allocation and growth in response to the treatment were evaluated. For baldcypress, element uptake was not significantly influenced by low soil Eh conditions except for significant iron (Fe) decrease in the roots. In contrast, both oak species showed significant decreases in element uptake under low Eh treatment. In nuttall oak seedlings, uptake of aluminum (Al), boron (B), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), and zinc (Zn) was significantly lower in the shoot and root of flooded plants as compared to controls. In flooded plants, Fe uptake was significantly lower in roots while manganese (Mn) was significantly higher in shoots compared to controls. In cherrybark oak, uptake of many elements was lower under low Eh treatments as compared to controls. However, Fe uptake was significantly greater in flooded roots compared to controls. Little evidence of changes in biomass allocation patterns in response to low soil Eh was found in baldcypress but total biomass decreased significantly under low soil Eh conditions. In oaks, total biomass decreased significantly under low soil Eh conditions. The present findings demonstrated that plant elemental uptake and biomass allocation are affected by low soil Eh conditions in woody species with a wide range of flood‐sensitivity ranging from highly sensitive such as cherrybark oak to tolerant species such as baldcypress.

Notes

Present address: USDA‐Forest Service, 14126 Spradley Trail, Marston, NC 28363.