Ecological Differentiation Between Species of Scribbly Gums [Eucalyptus Informal Subseries Haemastominae (MATK) Prior & Johnson] and Angophora in Seedling Responsiveness to Mineral Nutrients

Abstract

When four species of scribbly gums (Eucalyptus subseries Haemastominae) and four species of Angophora, together with Eucalyptus pilularis, were grown in a range of nutrient levels from distilled water to full Hoagland's nutrient solution, the two groups reacted differently, reflecting their contrasting distributions in relation to soil fertility.

Their mean relative growth rates were similar, but the magnitude of the response to increasing nutrient availability varied among the angophoras although it was very similar for all the scribblies. The degree of response of the angophoras was correlated with the fertility of their natural soils: A. floribunda, coming from the most fertile soils, showed the greatest response in mean relative growth rate to increasing nutrient supply.

Specific leaf areas did not vary among nutrient levels but, as with mean relative growth rates, the angophoras showed a correlation between the fertility of their natural soils and the specific leaf area: A. hispida, from the least fertile soils, developed the thickest leaves.

The angophoras differed from each other in leaf area ratio whereas the scribblies did not. This characteristic was influenced by nutrient availability: the angophoras growing at the higher levels of nutrient supply developed greater leaf areas ratios.

There was little difference among the four scribbly gum species in their response to nutrients. They all occur on infertile soils and showed little response to increased nutrient supply.