Increasing Wood δ15N in Response to Pig Manure Application

Intensive livestock management impacts forest and trees in different ways. Pig manure is a major source of nitrogen (N) pollution surface ground waters some European regions such as north-eastern Spain, but it understudied how application agroforestry systems. How pig affects tree radial growth the N cycle was assessed by measuring concentrations soil, leaves wood δ15N tree-ring two species widely planted for agricultural (Prunus dulcis) reforestation (Pinus halepensis) purposes study area. Soil physicochemical characteristics biomass structure soil microbial groups were also measured. Trees irrigated with effluent (manure application) control not subjected to compared. N, phosphorus (P) potassium (K) fertilized increased, microbiota decreased. Similar between non-fertilized pine found, lower almond observed. Leaf decreased increased application. alters cycling within trees.