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Magnesium deficiency treatment causes reductions in photosynthesis of well-nourished Norway spruce

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Abstract

In order to investigate effects of magnesium deficiency on Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] photosynthesis, 100 well-nourished 5-year-old spruce trees were grown in sand culture, individually supplied with circulating nutrient solutions. Mineral nutrients were added to the nutrient solutions in optimal quantities and optimal relations to nitrogen. Magnesium was supplied at 0.203, 0.041 and 0.005 mM in order to simulate optimal nutrition, moderate deficiency and severe deficiency. Parameters of photosynthetic gas exchange, chlorophyll, magnesium and starch concentrations were determined in current-year and 1-year-old needles during one growing season. By mid May — 6 months after onset of the Mg deficiency treatments in late autumn — CO2-assimilation rates of 1-year-old needles were significantly decreased independent of the severity of the deficiency treatment, whereas the chlorophyll concentrations did not differ from the controls. The occurrence of yellowing symptoms during July did not further influence the Mg deficiency effect on photosynthesis. In contrast to 1-year-old needles, significant reductions of photosynthesis and chlorophyll in current-year needles were only caused by severely deficient Mg supply. Mg deficiency affected carboxylation efficiency but not light use efficiency. From the accumulation of starch in the needles, up to 30-fold of the controls, the conclusion has been drawn that reactions of CO2-fixation were affected by reduced carbohydrate export. The light-dependent pigment reduction, leading to the typical tipyellowing of needles, clearly reflects a secondary effect of Mg deficiency.

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  1. Institut für Forstbotanik und Baumphysiologie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Bertoldstrasse 17, D-79085, Freiburg, Germany

    Beate Mehne-Jakobs

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Mehne-Jakobs, B. Magnesium deficiency treatment causes reductions in photosynthesis of well-nourished Norway spruce. Trees 10, 293–300 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02340775

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