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Field effect of P fertilization on N2 fixation rate of Ulex europaeus

Effet in situ de la fertilisation en phosphore sur le taux de fixation de l’azote atmosphérique d’Ulex europaeus

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Abstract

European gorse (Ulex europaeus L.) N2 fixation rate (%Ndfa) was studied in a maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Aït.) oligotrophic forest. Fertilization field trials were carried out on 5 sites with various inputs of phosphorus (0–240 kg P2O5·ha−1). Seven to ten years after pine planting, gorse were sampled to evaluate the effect of P fertilization on gorse %Ndfa, determined using the 15N natural abundance method. One of the prerequisites of this method is the existence of a significant difference between the 15N/14N ratios in the atmospheric N reference and in the stand soil N references. This prerequisite was satisfied for 80 of 120 cases. The average %Ndfa was high (70 ± 3%) but with high local variability. No significant difference in %Ndfa was detected among P treatments. Nitrogen concentration of gorse was significantly higher in the highest dose treatments compared to the control.

Résumé

Le taux de fixation de l’azote atmosphérique (%Ndfa) de l’ajonc d’Europe (Ulex europaeus L.) a été étudié dans une forêt oligotrophe de pins maritimes. Des essais de fertilisation ont été établis avec plusieurs niveaux d’apport en phosphore (0–240 kg P2O5·ha−1). Sept à dix ans après la plantation de pins, les ajoncs ont été échantillonnés afin d’évaluer l’effet de la fertilisation en phosphore sur le %Ndfa, calculé par la méthode de l’abondance naturelle en 15N. Cette méthode nécessite notamment une différence significative entre les rapports 15N/14N de la référence atmosphérique et de la référence du sol des peuplements. Cette condition était satisfaite dans 80 cas sur 120. Le %Ndfa moyen était élevé (70 ± 3 %) mais avec une grande variabilité locale. Aucune différence des %Ndfa n’a été détectée entre les traitements. Les teneurs en azote des ajoncs étaient significativement plus élevées pour les doses maximales que pour les témoins.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UMR 1220 TCEM (INRA), BP 81, 33883, Villenave d’Ornon Cedex, France

    Xavier Cavard & Laurent Augusto

  2. UMR 1220 TCEM (ENITAB), 1 cour du Général de Gaulle, BP 201, 33175, Gradignan Cedex, France

    Etienne Saur

  3. UR 1263 EPHYSE (INRA), 69 route d’Arcachon, 33612, Cestas Cedex, France

    Pierre Trichet

Authors
  1. Xavier Cavard
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  2. Laurent Augusto
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  3. Etienne Saur
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  4. Pierre Trichet
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Correspondence to Laurent Augusto.

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Cavard, X., Augusto, L., Saur, E. et al. Field effect of P fertilization on N2 fixation rate of Ulex europaeus . Ann. For. Sci. 64, 875–881 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1051/forest:2007066

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/forest:2007066

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