The Determination of Nutrient Contents of Native Juniper (Juniperus excelsa Bieb) Leaves Related with Soil Properties in Van Region

Abstract

Juniperus excelsa Bieb. covered 97% of juniper forests in Turkey are used in landscape design, wood industry and as a screen for wind, snow or sound. The objective of this study is to determine the nutrient contents of juniper leaves taken from 9 different locations in Van District. Also, soil samples were taken from the same locations where plants sampled. According to leaf analyses results, nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, iron, manganese, zinc and copper contents were found between 1.19-2.04%, 12.25-17.97%, 2.22-2.98%, 36.18-74.81ppm, 181.63-324.32 ppm, 10.91-12.93 ppm and 12.90-29.34 ppm, respectively. The nutrient contents, except K and Mg, showed significant differences among the locations. However, there were no significant differences among the physical and chemical properties in soil samples, except, salt, lime and iron contents. While Fe content of soil samples had significant positive correlation with Fe contents of leaf samples, lime content of soil samples had significant negative correlation with Fe contents of leaves.