Young street greenery supply with nutrients in Riga, Latvia

One of the most widespread tree species of street greenery in Central, Northern and Eastern Europe, int. al. in Riga (Latvia), is lime tree Tilia × vulgaris H. The study was conducted to evaluate the young street greenery supply with nutrients. The concentrations of 12 nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Mo) were estimated in lime leaf and soil samples collected from 21 study sites (4 streets, to ∼15 years old trees) in Riga, August 2007. A bioindication research on vitality of street greenery revealed slightly damaged status of young limes. The highest macronutrient concentration range was stated for Ca (5425-24936 mg/kg in soil, 0.98-2.78% in leaves), but the lowest for S (11-53 mg/kg in soil, 0.05-0.17% in leaves). For micronutrients the highest concentration range was found for Fe (521- 3461 mg/kg in soil, 174-440 mg/kg in leaves), but the lowest for Mo (0.02-0.09 mg/kg in soil, 0.40-4.88 mg/kg in leaves). In general, the main factors negative affecting T. × vulgaris mineral nutrition were very low supply with N, S, K, and elevate concentrations of P, Ca, Mg in soils. Decreased concentrations of S, K, P (Mg, Mn and Cu in several sites), as well as optimal to increased concentrations of Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Mo and Fe were stated in leaves. Well visible K and Mn deficiency symptoms in tree leaves were observed (K≤0.66%; Mn≤18 mg/kg). There was no close correlation between the element concentration in the soil and lime leaves.