Stem productivity in relation to nitrogen concentration and carbon isotopic composition (δ13C) in leaves of hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa Endlicher) plantations in Shikoku district, Japan

The stem productivity of the hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa Endlicher) in relation to plant nitrogen status and water-use efficiency was investigated in the Okuono (OKU) and Karakawa (KRK) areas in Shikoku district, Japan, where abundant precipitation occurs. The nitrogen concentration and carbon isotopic composition (δ13C) in the leaves were used as indexes of plant nitrogen status and water-use efficiency, respectively. The leaf nitrogen concentration increased with decreasing soil carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio and with increasing soil pH. There was a marginally significant negative correlation between leaf δ13C and soil water content in the KRK area, but leaf δ13C in the OKU area did not correlate with the soil water condition, and increased on the upper slope. The results suggest that hinoki trees in the KRK area have higher water-use efficiency (high leaf δ13C) under lower soil water conditions. In the OKU area, meanwhile, leaf δ13C in the upper slope was higher due to adaptation to adverse condi...