Changes in the N and P concentrations, N:P ratios, and tannin content in Casuarina equisetifolia branchlets during development and senescence

Abstract

Changes in the N and P concentrations, N:P ratios, and tannin content in Casuarina equisetifolia branchlets across a coastal gradient were studied at Chishan Forestry Center of Dongshan County, Fujian Province, China. (1) Total phenolics and protein precipitation capacity in young branchlets was significantly higher than in mature and senescent branchlets across a coastal gradient; extractable condensed tannin content was higher in young and mature branchlets than in senescent branchlets. Whereas protein-bound condensed tannins increased with senescence, fiber-bound condensed tannins fluctuated without a consistent pattern; (2) N and P concentrations at various stages of branchlet development across a coastal gradient followed the same order: young branchlets > mature branchlets > senescent branchlets; N:P ratio of young branchlets was the lowest, and increased with maturity and senescence across a coastal gradient; phosphorus resorption efficiency was significantly higher than nitrogen resorption efficiency among corresponding coastal gradients in response to P deficiency (high N:P ratio), but nutrient resorption efficiency was influenced by coastal gradients; (3) significant linear relationships between total phenolics and nutrient contents indicated that polyphenolics had a potential effect on nutrient cycling.

Keywords:

• Casuarina equisetifolia
• Nutrient limitation
• Nutrient resorption
• Polyphenolics

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Eleventh Five-Year Key Project (No. 2006BAD03A14-01), the Fujian Provincial Major Special Program of Science and Technology (No. 2006NZ001-2), the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in Universities (NCET-07-0725), and the Program for Innovative Research Teams in Science and Technology in Fujian Province University.