Above- and below-ground nutrient tissue concentration and leaf pigment changes in patagonian woody seedlings grown under light and soil moisture gradients

To understand the ecophysiology of natural regeneration above- and below-ground nutrient tissue concentration and leaf pigment changes in Nothofagus pumilio (lenga) seedlings grown in three light intensities (4%, 26% and 64% of natural irradiance) and two soil moisture levels (40-60% and 80-100% soil capacity) under greenhouse controlled conditions were evaluated. Carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and pigment (chlorophylls and carotenoids) were measured on seedlings. Carbon, N, Mg, K and Ca increased in low light intensity and soil moisture treatments, while P decreased. Nutrients were higher in above- than in below-ground biomass. Chlorophylls were lower in high light treatments, while carotenoids increased their content. All pigments were greater in low soil moisture treatments. These changes are closely related to their photosynthetic plasticity and biomass compartmentalization. Plants growing in high light were more efficient to produce the same amount of plant biomass.

Fil: Soler Esteban, Rosina Matilde. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina

Fil: Martínez Pastur, Guillermo José. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina

Fil: Lencinas, María Vanessa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina

Fil: Moretto, Alicia Susana. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral; Argentina

Fil: Peri, Pablo Luis. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina