Study on the nutrition characteristics of chinese yew (Taxus chinensis (Pilger.) Rehd.Var. Mairei)

The chinese yew aged 18, 25 and 100 years, respectively, in National Jinyuan Forest Park, Chongqing, were selected to study their nutrition characteristics. The leaves of tree in variable directions were collected each month in a year for nutrients analysis. The results indicate the seasonal variations in the concentrations of nitrogen, potassium, calcium, magnesium and nitrate in the leaves, except phosphorus which changed little if any. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium varied in directions (SouthEastWestNorth) in contrast to calsium, magnesium and nitrate which had very less direction variations. The concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the leaves increased with the increacement in the ages of trees, while calsium, magnesium and nitrate were decreased and Mg almost kept same. The concentrations of nutrients followed N K Ca P Mg NO3--N. It could thus infer that chinese yew need relatively more nitrogen, potassium and calsium compared to other nutrients. Concerning the seasonal variations of nitrogen and potassium, it is better to fertilize chinese yew with nitrogen and potassium in artificial cultivation at the end of spring or at the beginning of summer.