Distribution of Bio-mass and Major Nutrients in a Maritime Pine Plantation

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Abstract
The distribution of the bio-mass in two plots of 14-year-old maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Aiton) was estimated from eight sample trees and the diameters of all trees in the plots. The average annual accumulation of dry-matter in the living tops over the fourteen years since planting was 8000 kg/hectare. The foliage contributed a greater fraction of the dry-matter than in three other species of comparable age. The distribution of the six major plant nutrients was similarly estimated, and the results are tabulated. The foliage also contained a greater fraction of the nutrient content than in the other pines, although the average concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the foliage were low relative to other pines. The partition of dry-matter and nutrient contents of leaves of different ages is given. The bio-mass and nutrient contents of the litter are reported.