Effects of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization on Carbohydrate and Nutrient Levels in Dupontia fisheri and Arctagrostis latifolia

Abstract

Increasing activities by man in the North American Arctic require concomitant responsibilities for land management. In some instances revegetation of disturbed sites is needed to maintain stability of the soil and the integrity of the tundra biological system. Recent explorations in arctic tundra revegetation by staff of this station have shown that fertilization to improve the nutrient availability of some arctic soils is necessary for establishing seedlings of native as well as introduced grasses. It is known, however, from experiences with turf and forage grass management systems in temperate regions, that winter hardiness of certain grasses is significantly reduced by excessive and late-season fertilization with nitrogen. Theoretically, the fertilizer stimulates additional vegetative growth late in the growing season causing carbohydrates that would normally remain as metabolizable reserves to be allocated for structural tissues, thus reducing the carbohydrate reserves below critical levels.