<em>PINUS</em> <em>PATULA</em> PLANTATIONS IN KUMAUN HIMALAYA. II. NUTRIENT DYNAMICS

Abstract

This paper deals with the nutrient dynamics in different age plantations of Pinus patula previously investigated for dry matter dynamics. The concentrations of nutrients in different vegetation layers were in the order, herb > shrub > tree, whereas the standing state of nutrients were in the order tree > shrub > herb. Considerable reductions ( 50.5 - 69%) in concentrations of nutrient in needles occurred during senescence. The uptake of nutrients by vegetation and also by different components with and without adjustment for internal recycling was calculated separately. The amounts of nutrients returned annually to the soil through litterfall were in the ranges 33.1- 41.9 kg ha^-1 y¹ for N, 2.6 - 3.3 kg ha^-1 y¹ for P and 10.6 -14.1 kg ha^-1 y1 for K.