Find in Library

<p>Aim<em> of study. </em>Appropriate knowledge regarding teak (<em>Tectona grandis </em>L.f.) nutrition is required for a better management of the plantations to attain high productivity and sustainability. This study aims to answer the following questions: How can it be determined if a teak tree suffers a nutrient deficiency before it shows symptoms? Are nutrient concentration decreases in older trees associated with age-related declines in forest productivity?</p><p><em>Area of study. </em>Costa Rica and Panama.</p><p><em>Material and Methods. </em>Nutrient concentration in different tree tissues (bole, bark, branches and foliage) were measured at different ages using false-time-series in 28 teak plantations</p><p><em>Research highlights. </em>Foliar N concentration decreases from 2.28 in year 1 to 1.76% in year 19. Foliar Mg concentration increases from 0.23 in year 1 to 0.34% in year 19. The foliar concentrations of the other nutrients are assumed to be constant with tree age: 1.33% Ca, 0.88% K, 0.16% P, 0.12% S, 130 mg kg^-1 Fe, 43 mg kg^-1 Mn, 11 mg kg^-1 Cu, 32 mg kg^-1 Zn and 20 mg kg^-1 B. The nutrient concentration values showed can be taken as a reference to evaluate the nutritional status of similar teak plantations in the region. The concentrations of K, Mg and N could be associated with declines in teak plantation productivity as the plantation becomes older. Whether age-related changes in nutrient concentrations are a cause or a consequence of age-related declines in productivity is an issue for future research with the aim of achieving higher growth rates throughout the rotation period.</p><p><strong>Key words: </strong>forest nutrition; age-related decline in productivity; nutrient foliar concentration; nutrient bole concentration; resorption.</p>