Soil-plant interactions in the monumental plane trees (Platanus orientalis) grove-Çanakkale-Turkey

Abstract

Aim: To study ecological features of monumental plane trees. Evaluate soil-plant interactions and mineral nutrition status of 150 to 800 year-old-chosen trees. Methodology: Soil and plant samples were collected and analysed using Kjeldahl, spectrophotometer, Flame photometer and ICP-OES. Results: pH, electrical conductivity, calcium carbonate, organic matter, total nitrogen, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc and copper values in the soil samples ranged between 6.6-7.4, 0.58-1.26 (dS. m-1), 0.00-1.52%, 1.55-5.05%, 0.08-0.29%, 4-28 ppm, 20-33 ppm, 50-314 ppm, 1086-3041 ppm, 54-302 ppm, 3.57-15.30 ppm, 3.37-13.29 ppm, 1.84-4.17 ppm, and 0.41-1.48 ppm, respectively. The mineral element values in young root, young stem, elderly stem, stem bark and leaf showed normal range. A strong relation has been noted among the Mg, P, Na, Mn, Fe, total N and Zn. Interpretation: Excess amount of Fe and Ca get accummulated in different plant parts