Nutrient requirements of fourNothofagusspecies in north Westland, New Zealand, as shown by foliar analysis

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Abstract
Foliar analysis was used to compare the nutrient requirements of four New Zealand beech species: Nothofagus fusca, N. menziesii, N. truncata, and N. solandri var. cliffortioides at seven sites in north Westland. N. fusca and N. menziesii occupy sites of relatively high fertility as shown by nitrogen and phosphorus requirements, with N. truncata and N. solandri var. cliffortioides occupying sites of lower fertility. Within this broad pattern N. menziesii has lower calcium and magnesium requirements and possibly a lower copper requirement than N. fusca. N. solandri var. cliffortioides has a lower magnesium requirement and possibly lower copper and zinc requirements than N. truncata. A broad pattern of species distribution according to soil fertility is in the order: N. fusca > N. menziesii > N. truncata > N. solandri var. cliffortioides. Foliar nutrient levels in a hybrid N. solandri var. cliffortioides × N. fusca beech stand were either similar to levels in one or other of the parent species or intermediate between the two parents, depending on the particular nutrient. In general, maximum separation in foliar nutrient levels between species occurred in samples from the active lower crown. These results might be expected to apply to other Nothofagus stands within the warm temperate altitudinal zone and on southern or central yellow-brown earths, but may not necessarily apply to stands in other vegetation zones and on different soil groups.

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