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The nutrient requirements of tuart

Article · January 2006

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The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. November 2006 Tuart decline Eucalyptus RESEARCHgomphocephala FINDINGS Tuart Bulletin No.9 A series outlining key research findings associated with tuart health in south-west The nutrient 9 requirements of tuart Bernard Dell, Paul Barber, Harry Eslick, Peter Scott and Mike Calver (Murdoch University).

Over the last 10 years, tuart trees in the Yalgorup region of south-western Australia have been undergoing an alarming period of decline and dieback. Research into the cause of the decline indicates the possible involvement of a complex disease syndrome involving a number of unknown factors contributing to the overall reduction in health. Factors affecting nutrient supply and availability have been suggested as playing a role in the decline. Tuart belongs to the largest Eucalyptus subgenus Symphyomyrtus but is Figure 1: Putative symptoms of various nutrient deficiencies and toxicities in tuart taxonomically distinct, having no foliage are manganese deficiency (a), iron deficiency (b), zinc deficiency (c), close relatives and thus forming a boron deficiency (d) and phosphorus toxicity (e). monospecific section (Ruthrof et al. compared to these species and their pests or disease, and reduced 2002). The Symphyomyrtus species known nutrient deficiency ranges in transpiration by the canopy. Research has a greater demand for calcium, plantations, six nutrients in tuart is progressing to determine whether magnesium, and probably potassium were found to be in the deficient the foliar symptoms in tuart are a whereas Monocalyptus has a greater range, namely copper (Cu), nitrogen consequence or precursor to tree demand for magnesium. Such (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), decline. differences must have a physiological sulphur (S) and zinc (Zn) (Moore basis but as yet no explanation has 2004). Symptoms of deficiency or been offered (Judd et al. 1996). The The role of zinc in the toxicity in eucalypts can often be nutrient status of tuart has been decline expressed as discolouration of the largely unknown, creating a gap in foliage (Dell 1996, Dell et al. 2001). our knowledge in the role of nutrient Further research has been conducted A compilation of such symptoms is supply to healthy tuart trees. to confirm an existence of low Zn being compiled for tuart (Fig. 1.). Therefore, there has been an obvious levels in declining areas, and to need to investigate the current establish their extent. Possible links Generally, symptoms of nutrient between canopy decline and low nutrient status of both healthy and disorders are rare in eucalypts in the declining tuart in native foliar Zn levels have also been field except when severely stressed explored, as well as identifying other communities along the Swan Coastal or growing in disturbed Plain and further determine the role potentially limiting nutrients. Foliar environments. Low foliar sampling conducted at twenty sites of particular macro and/or concentrations of nutrients are micronutrients in the decline. in the area between Mandurah and indicative of trees being unable to Bunbury, which included the modulate growth with change and sites Nutrient status of a in nutrient delivery in the tree. established previously by other healthy tuart Some of the factors that can researchers, confirms low levels of Zn influence nutrient delivery include in the Yalgorup area (Fig. 2). A link Very little is known about the changes in nutrient supply of the soil between these low levels and canopy nutrient status of a healthy tuart, in e.g. after perturbations such as fire health is yet to be proven. contrast to other eucalypts, such as and feral animals, reduced uptake Comparison of the foliar nutrient E. globulus and E. grandis. When due to destruction of feeder roots by concentrations observed with

A collaboration of Government, research and industry partners supporting research into tree decline science and management in south-west Western Australia. www.tuarthealth.murdoch.edu.au Tuart decline RESEARCH FINDINGS

Zinc concentrations from sites compared to known critical levels for References/further some plantation species. reading 30 E. marginata (12 mgZn/kg) Dell, B. (1996). Diagnosis of 25 nutrient disorders in eucalypts. In: C. maculata (9 mgZn/kg) Attiwill, P.M. and Adams, M.A. 20 (Eds). 'Nutrition of Eucalypts' pp 417-440, CSIRO Publishing, 15 Collingwood.

Zn (mg/kg)Zn 10 Dell, B. and Xu Daping (1995). Diagnosis of zinc deficiency in 5 seedlings of a tropical eucalypt (Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake). 0 Plant and Soil 176, 329-332.

S17 S19 S20 S21 S23 S27 S28 S29 S30 S31 S33 S34 S35 S36 S37 S39 S41 S42 S44 S45 Dell B, Malajczuk N, Xu D, Grove Site NumbeNumberr TS (2001) 'Nutrient Disorders in Plantation Eucalypts.' (Australian Figure 3: Zinc concentrations (mg/kg DW) of tuart from 20 sites within and Centre for International Agricultural outside Yalgorup National Park. Levels are compared to those known to be in Research: Canberra) the critical range for jarrah and spotted gum Edwards TA (2004) Environmental concentrations published for other of N observed in declining trees, it Correlates and Associations of Tuart eucalypts, shows levels of Zn and N was hypothesised that N, in addition (Eucalyptus gomphocephala DC.) are particularly low in tuart and these to Zn, may be largely responsible for Decline. Masters of Science thesis, low levels tend to be more common the improvement in canopy Edith Cowan University. in trees in the Yalgorup region, where condition. It is concluded that Zn and canopy decline is severe (Fig. 3). perhaps N may limit the growth of Eslick, H.T. (2005) Zinc as a Glasshouse trials have shown that declining trees. However, it is not possible factor in Tuart Decline. tuart seedlings are mildly Zn-deficient known whether low nutrient Honours thesis, Murdoch University. when concentrations in the youngest availability is a factor contributing to Judd T.S., Attiwill P.M., and fully expanded leaf are 9 – 15 mg the decline or whether is a response Adams M.A. (1996) Nutrient Zn/kg DW. This range is similar to to it. Concentrations in Eucalyptus: A that in Jarrah seedlings (Wallace, Dell Synthesis in Relation To Differences & Loneragan 1986) but lower than in Future work Between Taxa, Sites and E. urophylla (Dell & Xu 1995) . Components pp. 123-153. In: P.M. Detailed studies during the onset of Attiwill, and M.A. Adams (Eds.) decline may help to determine Stem injections show Nutrition of Eucalypts. CSIRO whether low nutrient availability is a response to particular Publishing, Collingwood. contributing factor or a response. nutrients So far, studies into the nutrition of Moore, N. (2004). Nutrient analysis In order to determine if Zn or another declining tuart have only been of Eucalyptus gomphocephala in nutrient deficiency was limiting growth conducted during the winter native bush. Unpublished report, of mature, declining trees in the field, months and early spring, and as Murdoch University, 31pp. trees were supplied with nutrients in effects of season on foliar nutrient Ruthrof K, X., Yates, C.J., and the form of a stem implant as part of values may give different results at Loneragan, W.A. (2002) The an ongoing injection trial. The different times of year, this should Biology Of Tuart pp. 108-122. In: application of a Zinc treatment or a be investigated further. Given the B.J. Keighery and V.M Longman Complete Nutrient treatment large east west variation in soil (Eds.) Tuart (Eucalyptus (containing N, P, K, Zn, Mn, Fe) types, it is possible that soil is a gomphocephala) and Tuart stimulates canopy recovery, suggesting dominant factor influencing the Communities. Wildflower Society of that Zn and other unidentified change in canopy nutrient status, Western Australia Inc. nutrients are limiting the growth of but this requires further study. these trees (Fig. 4.). Trees injected with Wallace, I.M., Dell, B. and Fe alone and control trees slightly Acknowledgments Loneragan, J.F. (1986). Zinc declined in health over a 12 month Data used for compilation of this nutrition of jarrah (Eucalyptus period and trees injected with Zn or a marginata Donn ex Sm.) seedlings. Complete Nutrient in combination with bulletin were derived from studies by undergraduate and graduate Australian Journal of 34, low rates of Potassium phosphonate 41-51. (25g/L & 50g/L) also showed a good students Nicole Moore, Harry Eslick response (Fig. 4). Given the low levels and Peter Scott. 2006405-10-500 View publication stats