Authors: Moore, J.A.¹; Mika, P.G.²; Shaw, T.M.³

Source: Forest Science, Volume 46, Number 4, 1 November 2000 , pp. 531-536(6)

Publisher: Society of American Foresters

Abstract:

Carbon compound concentrations in plant tissues depend on the environment in which plants grow. However, little is known about how these concentrations vary across a range of forest environmental conditions. Our study examined root tissue (phloem, cambium, phellum, and phello-derm) collected from naturally regenerated mature Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca [Bessn.] Franco) trees in eight stands on three habitat type series encompassing a range of temperature and moisture conditions. The objective was to determine root chemical composition (sugar, starch, phenol, and tannin) differences among the habitat types. Douglas-fir roots collected from dry, warm Douglas fir habitat types had sugar concentrations of 4% compared to 3% for roots from cool, moist habitat types. Root samples collected from Douglas-fir habitat types showed tannin concentrations about double those from grand fir or western redcedar habitat types. Phenol/tannin ratios for the cool, moist habitat types were about double those from warm, dry Douglas-fir habitat types. Roots sampled from western redcedar habitat types had phenol concentrations and phenol/sugar ratios more than 50% higher than those from Douglas-fir and grand fir habitat types. We speculate that root chemistry of Douglas-fir growing on Douglas-fir habitat types could make them more drought resistant but less disease resistant, while Douglas-fir growing on western redcedar types would be less drought resistant but more disease resistant. Douglas-fir growing on warm, dry sites allocated more carbon to tannin production and less to phenols. FOR. SCI. 46(4):531-536.

Keywords: Carbon allocation; adaptation; disease resistance; drought resistance

Document Type: Miscellaneous

Affiliations: 1: Intermountain Forest Tree Nutrition Cooperative, Department of Forest Resources, University of Idaho, P.O. Box 441133 Moscow, ID, 83844-1133, Director Phone: (208) 885-7421; Fax: (208) 885-6226 jamoore@uidaho.edu 2: Intermountain Forest Tree Nutrition Cooperative, Department of Forest Resources, University of Idaho, P.O. Box 441133 Moscow, ID, 83844-1133, Data Analyst Phone: (208) 885-7205 pmika@uidaho.edu 3: Intermountain Forest Tree Nutrition Cooperative, Department of Forest Resources, University of Idaho, P.O. Box 441133 Moscow, ID, 83844-1133, Research Associate Phone: (208) 885-2099 tshaw@uidaho.edu

Publication date: 2000-11-01

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