Relations between damage symptoms and nutritional status of Norway spruce stands (Picea abies Karst.) in southwestern Germany

Since the mid-1970s new types of forest damage are observed in the Federal Republic of Germany. Typical damage symptoms in coniferous tree species are needle yellowing, reddening and premature loss of older foliage. Needle analysis carried out in damaged Norway spruce stands indicated that these phenomena, most of all needle yellowing, are influenced by the nutritional status of the trees. For the investigated sites Mg but also other elements, particularly P, S, K, Ca and Zn may play a causal role. As N is the most abundant element in the plant its form of uptake is important for a balanced nutrition. On the contrary to NO₃-N high NH₄-N uptake reduces the uptake of cations, particularly Mg and Ca, eventually inducing foliar discoloration symptoms on specific sites. Fertilizer experiments indicated that Mg fertilization is an appropriate tool to mitigate forest damages associated with Mg deficiency for a sustained time period. The application of N in the form of NH₄-N may impede Mg uptake. This mechanism may cause severe damage in forest areas receiving continuously high NH₄-N deposition.