• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.199-210
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• 2004

Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization on seasonal changes of nutrient content in tree components, and retranslocation N and P in foliage and twig were determined in adjacent 41-year-old plantations of Pinus rigida Miller and Larix kaempferi Gordon on a similar soil in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province. In general, foliage N and P concentrations of L kaempferi were significantly higher than current and 1-year-old foliages of P. rigida. N and P concentrations were higher in foliage than in twigs for both tree species. However, there were no significant differences in foliage and twig N and P concentrations with ages. Significant seasonal differences in foliage and twig N and P concentrations were observed for both tree species because of nutrient retranslocation. Foliage nutrient concentrations were highest in the mid-growing season and lowest in autumn, whereas twig nutrient concnetrations have gradually increased since July. These seasonal trends indicated nutrient retranslocation from foliage into twigs before foliage senescence. However, there were no significant changes in foliage and twig nutrient retranslocation, and no consistent patterns in foliage and twig nutrient retranslocation following N and P fertilizer additions. No significant changes in nutrient retranslocation between different foliage and twig ages were observed following fertilization.