%0 Research article
%T Intra-specific variation in cell wall constituents of needle age classes of Pinus sylvestris in relation to soil fertility status in Southwest England
%A Sariyildiz, Temel
%A Anderson, J. M.
%D 2006
%J Silva Fennica
%V 40
%N 1
%R doi:10.14214/sf.349
%U https://silvafennica.fi/article/349
%X First, second and third year needles were collected from the same  branches of young Scots pine trees growing on soils of two different  status (high and low fertility sites) that varied in mineral nutrient  concentrations and N mineralisation potential. All needle age classes  were analysed for total carbon, acid detergent fibre (ADF), lignin,  cellulose, phenylpropanoid derivatives (PPD) of lignin, sugar  constituents of non-crystalline, hydrated cellulose and hemicellulose,  and nutrient concentrations (N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Mn). Significant  intra-specific variation in the litter quality variables in relation to  soils of high and low fertility was found in the second and third year  needles, whereas there were no differences in the other cell wall  constituents and mineral elements of the first year needles. The second  and third year needles from the low fertility soil contained higher  concentrations of ADF, lignin, cellulose, sugar constituents of  non-crystalline, hydrated cellulose and hemicellulose, and  phenylpropanoid derivatives (PPD) of lignin, but lower concentrations of  N, P and Mg than the same needles from the high fertility and  fertilised soils. The results in the present study indicate that under  different soil fertilities, needle age classes show significant  variations in the cell wall constituents and mineral elements, and  suggest that this can result in significant variation in litter quality  and decomposition rates.