Distribution of Mineral Substances in Different Wood Tissues of European Larch (Larix decidua Mill.)

Abstract

Typical wood tissues, such as stemwood, bark, branches, twigs and needles, of two very old European larch trees (Larix decidua Mill.) were examined for the content of macro and micro mineral substances. Elemental analysis, atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) and ultraviolet/visible (UV/VIS) techniques were applied for quantitative determination of individual elements. The results indicated that both trees had almost identical mineral content. The highest contents of macro elements N, P, S, K and Mg as well as micro elements Ni, Fe, Al and Co were measured in needles, while Ca, Mn and Zn prevailed in bark. Concentrations of substances were the lowest in stemwood. Comparison with similar studies of foliar mineral distribution proved that both trees had good nutrient status, which corresponded to their condition.