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Effects of resource availability on condensed tannins and nitrogen in two Quercus species differing in leaf life span

Effets de la disponibilité de la ressource sur les tanins condensés et l’azote chez deux espèces de Quercus différentes pour la durée de vie de leurs feuilles

Annals of Forest Science volume 64, pages 439–445 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Seedlings of Quercus ilex and Q. cerrioides, an evergreen and a winter-deciduous oak co-occurring in western-Mediterranean forests, were grown at two light regimes (8 and 36% of photosynthetically active radiation), at two water regimes (500 and 800 mm) and with two nutrient availabilities (standard substrate and 7% increase in soil N). The concentrations of soluble condensed tannins (CT) and nitrogen in the leaves were analyzed to test the phenotypic plasticity of these commonly related parameters in two con-generic species with contrasting leaf habit. Q. ilex contains seven times more CT and a few less N than Q. cerrioides. Light increased CT, whereas neither fertilization nor water had an effect on CT. N concentration was decreased by light, increased by fertilization and not affected by water treatment. Plant growth was increased by light but not affected by fertilization or water treatment. CT were negatively correlated with N concentration. CT of the evergreen species exhibited greater plasticity than the deciduous one as reflected by a steeper negative correlation among nitrogen and CT concentrations in Q. ilex. Given the antiherbivory activity of CT, this implies that in less shaded environments, e.g. canopy aperture by disturbances, leaf tissue quality for herbivores will be much more reduced in Q. ilex than in Q. cerrioides. Higher leaf CT in Q. ilex and its higher plasticity to light availability may explain the higher browsing by sheep in Q. cerrioides than in Q. ilex resprouts, as well as the low recruitment rates of seedlings of the former species, reported in other studies.

Résumé

Des semis de Quercus ilex et Quercus cerrioides, une espèce sempervirente et une espèce décidue co-existantes dans les forêts méditerranéennes occidentales, ont été élevés sous deux régimes lumineux (8 et 36 % de PAR), deux régimes d’alimentation hydrique (500 et 800 mm) et avec deux niveaux d’alimentation nutritionnelle (substrat standard et substrat avec une augmentation d’azote de 7 %). Les concentrations des tanins solubles condensés (CT) et d’azote des feuilles ont été analysées pour tester la plasticite phénotypique de ces paramètres couramment rapportés chez deux espèces de même genre ayant des types différents de feuilles. Quercus ilex contient 7 fois plus de CT et un peu moins d’azote que Quercus cerrioides. La lumière accroît CT alors que ni la fertilisation ni l’eau ont eu un effet sur CT. La concentration en azote a diminué avec l’augmentation de la lumière, elle a été augmentée par la fertilisation et n’a pas été affectée par le niveau d’alimentation hydrique. La croissance des semis a été augmentée par l’augmentation du PAR mais n’a pas été affectée par la fertilisation ou le niveau d’alimentation en eau. CT a été corrélée avec la concentration en azote. La CT des espèces sempervirentes présente une plus grande plasticité que les espèces décidues comme cela est reflété par une plus forte corrélation négative entre les concentrations d’azote et de CT chez Quercus ilex. Etant donné l’activité antiherbivore de CT, cela implique que dans les environnements moins ombragés, par exemple dans les ouvertures de la canopée, la qualité des tissus foliaires sera plus diminuée chez Quercus ilex, que chez Quercus cerrioides. Une CT plus élevée chez Quercus ilex, et sa plasticité plus grande à la lumière peuvent expliquer un broutage plus important des rejets par les moutons chez Quercus cerrioides que chez Quercus ilex, de même que le faible taux de recrutement de semis de la premiêre espêce qui est rapportée dans d’autres études.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unitat d’Ecofisiologia CSIC-CEAB-CREAF, CREAF (Centre de Recerca Ecológica i Aplicacions Forestals), Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain

    Marc Estiarte

  2. Centre de Recerca Ecológica i Aplicacions Forestals (CREAF), Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain

    Montserrat De Castro & Josep Maria Espelta

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  1. Marc Estiarte
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  2. Montserrat De Castro
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Estiarte, M., De Castro, M. & Espelta, J.M. Effects of resource availability on condensed tannins and nitrogen in two Quercus species differing in leaf life span. Ann. For. Sci. 64, 439–445 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1051/forest:2007021

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Annals of Forest Science

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