Effect of Nitrogen Supply on Nutrients in Litter Fall and Crown Leaching in a Stand of Corsican Pine

Abstract
N fertilizer applied over 3 yr to Corsican pine increased the weight of needle fall, increased the levels of N and K in needle-litter and decreased the levels of P, Ca and Mg. Litter fall accounted for nearly all the N and P released by the trees. Rainwater gained considerable quantities of K, Ca, Mg and Na on passing through the canopy, but only 30-60% of this gain was derived from crown leaching; the remainder was washed-down aerosols. Crown leaching represented 89% of the Na, 48% of the Mg, 44% of the K and 8% of the Ca released by the trees. Only the leaching of K was affected by N fertilizer. Variations in the annual and seasonal patterns of nutrient release are discussed.