Investigation on the Nitrogen Metabolism of Spruce Needles in Relation to the Occurrence of Novel Forest Decline

Summary In order to obtain information on the nitrogen metabolism of undamaged and damaged spruce ( Picea abies ), investigations were performed in 1985 and 1986 on the activity of glutamine synthetase and on the content of free ammonium and soluble proteins in spruce needles. In addition, the chlorophyll content was determined. Needles from the second needle year and the seventh whorl were used. The investigations were carried out in pair comparison on a 20-year-old spruce plantation and in comparison with damage classes on an 80-year-old spruce plantation. Both the pair comparison and the contrasting of different damage groups show an unequivocal decrease of the chlorophyll content correl…