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Changes in soil chemical properties and leaf nutrients under dieback phenomenon of Ilam oak trees
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Reza Soleimani *   , Ahmad Hosseini2 , Mohammad Matinizadeh3 |
Department of Soil and Water Research, Ilam Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Ilam, Iran, Department of Soil and Water Research, Ilam Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Ilam, Iran , xsoleiani@gmail.com
2- Department of Natural Resources Research, Ilam Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Ilam, Iran
3- Department of Forest, Forests and Rangelands Research Institute, AREEO, Karaj, Iran |
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Abstract: (335 Views) |
Monitoring the physical and chemical properties of soil, as well as changes in leaf nutrients under drought stress, is crucial for managing the dieback phenomenon of Persian oak trees (Quercus brantii Lindl.). This research was conducted between 2019 and 2021 in Ilam, western Iran, within the geographical coordinates of 33°26'44" to 33°46'01" north latitude and 46°10'46" to 46°15'25" east longitude. Soil profiles were dug to examine soil horizons, and five healthy and five dying trees were selected for analysis. Soil samples were collected from two depths (0–30 cm and 30–60 cm) on northern and southern slopes beneath the tree canopies, and composite leaf samples were taken from each tree. The tested properties included electrical conductivity, saturated paste pH, calcium carbonate, total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, and copper in the soil, as well as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, and copper in the leaves. Data were analyzed using SAS software. The results showed significant differences in some physical and chemical properties of the soil across depths and directions (p < 0.05). For soil texture, the highest silt percentages (38% and 39%) were observed in the first and second depths on the northern slopes under healthy trees, while the lowest (30%) was recorded in the first depth on the southern slopes under dying trees. Saturation percentage and bulk density showed decreasing and increasing trends, respectively, from healthy to dying tree locations. Lime content, which affects nutrient availability, increased from healthy to dying tree sites. A decreasing trend was observed for phosphorus, potassium, zinc, manganese, and iron, while copper showed an increasing trend. The decline in organic carbon, available potassium, and zinc in the soil, as well as potassium and zinc concentrations in the leaves of dying trees, highlights the need to preserve organic matter and manage potassium and zinc nutrients. Identifying key soil properties, such as lime as a negative factor and potassium and zinc as positive factors, can aid in better forest management. Given the intensification of tree dieback under reduced nitrogen, potassium, and zinc levels, it is essential to preserve organic matter and apply foliar sprays of zinc and potassium, especially in new plantations.
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Article number: 9 |
| Keywords: Ilam oak forests, Oak decline, Soil physical and chemical properties, Leaf nutrient elements |
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Full-Text [PDF 1316 kb]
(104 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2024/04/20 | Accepted: 2024/11/4 | Published: 2025/04/22
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