Comparisons of Nutrient Concentration of Leaves, Roots, and Soils in Three Bamboo Stands

Abstract

In bamboo, the nutrient status of tissues and associated soil is an important indicator of nutrient uptake by various bamboo species. In this study, the nutrient concentrations of leaves, roots, and mineral soil at 0–10 cm depths were examined in three bamboo stands [Phyllostachys bambusoides Sieb. et Zucc, Phyllostachys nigra var. henonis Stapf ex. Rendle, and Phyllostachys pubescens (Mazel) Ohwi] at a broad regional scale in southern Korea. In the three bamboo species, species-specific differences were observed in the carbon (C) and calcium (Ca) concentrations of leaves and in the nitrogen (N) and magnesium (Mg) concentrations of roots. Ca concentrations in leaves were significantly higher in P. bambusoides (11.94 g Ca kg−1) than in P. pubescens (7.83 g Ca kg−1), whereas potassium (K) concentrations were lowest in P. bambusoides among the three bamboo species. N concentrations in the roots were significantly lower in P. pubescens (5.23 g N kg−1) than in P. nigra var. henonis (7.72 g N kg−1). In contrast to bamboo tissues, soil nutrients, such as total N, organic C, exchangeable Ca2+, and Mg2+, did not differ significantly among the bamboo species. These results suggest that species-specific practices will be required for nutrient management of bamboo stands because nutrient concentrations vary considerably in the tissues of the three studied species.