Foliar N and P resorption and nutrient (N, P, C, and S) contents of Vaccinium arctostaphylos L. and Vaccinium myrtillus L. from East Black Sea region of Turkey

Abstract

Phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N), carbon (C), and sulfur (S) contents of the leaves and specific leaf area (SLA), leaf mass per area (LMA), and N and P resorption were researched in Vaccinium arctostaphylos L. and Vaccinium myrtillus L., economically important for the East Black Sea region of Turkey. The leaves samples were collected from Solaklı Valley in Trabzon at 60 to 1800 m for V. arctostaphylosL. and 2100 to 2300 m for V. myrtillus L. The N, C, and S contents were determined by Dumas method and P concentration by the stannous chloride method. Nutrient contents, SLA, and LMA in leaves and N, P, organic matter, and pH in soil were measured. The foliar N, P, C, and S contents of the plants depending on the altitude gradient were statistically significant. N and S contents were significantly important during the growing season for both species. There were significant differences in terms of N and P proficiency for both species. Resorption values of V. myrtillus L. were found to be within the normal limits and the resorption efficiency values increased in parallel with the altitude changes. N resorption levels of V. arctostaphylos at lower (60 m) and higher (1800 m) altitudes were below the declared limits. It was also seen that while N proficiency showed significant increase, P proficiency decreased depending on the altitude. Both N and P proficiency for V. myrtillus decreased with the altitude increase.