Nutrient uptake, removal, and cycling in Eucalyptus species

Abstract

Eucalyptus (family Myrtaceae), represented by over 900 species distributed throughout the world, are well known for their essential oils. Nutrient supply is treated as a dynamic variable which is related to relative growth rate. Plants take up the nutrients from the soil and use them for various metabolic processes. The genetic constitution of plants plays a superior role in determining the way assimilates are partitioned between roots, stems, and leaves. Different growth stages of the trees are reflected in processes of change that contribute to the control of nutrient demand, storage, and distribution. The amount of litterfall and nutrient return depends on the degree of biomass production and nutrient uptake in the stand. Cycling of nutrient is an important aspect as significant amounts of nutrients are returned to the soil through different mode and become available for cycling.