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- Title
Growth and nutrient stoichiometry responses to N and P fertilization of 8-year old Masson pines (Pinus massoniana) in subtropical China.
- Authors
Wang, Ben; Chen, Jihao; Huang, Guan; Zhao, Shuai; Dong, Fangwei; Zhang, Yangyang; He, Wei; Wang, Pengcheng; Yan, Zhaogui
- Abstract
Background: Masson pine (Pinus massoniana) plantations are one of the most common forestry plantations in southern China. A high proportion of these plantations is managed as monoculture forests. Productivity in these plantations often declines as they age due to stand retrogression. In these plantations, fertilization is a key practice to prevent stand retrogression. Understanding how plants respond to nutrient fertilization at the tree and stand-level is crucial for evaluating the effects of fertilization and devising nutrient management strategies to prevent stand retrogression and to maintain plantation productivity. Methods: To determine the effects of nutrient fertilization on plant growth and nutrient stoichiometry, we conducted a nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization experiment in an 8-year old Masson pine plantation in subtropical Hubei Province, China. Plant growth and nutrient stoichiometry responses to fertilization were determined over 12 months. Results: Tree growth in height and trunk diameter and resorption efficiency of both N and P responded positively to N and/or P fertilization. Soil total P concentration was low (0.32 mg/g). Leaf N:P ratio was high and increased (>20) in N fertilization but decreased (<9) in P fertilization. Conclusions: Our results show that Masson pine plantations of the study area are severely P limited, with low soil P concentration, high leaf N:P ratio, and positive growth responses to P fertilization. As the most common forestry plantations in subtropical and tropical China, P limitation is likely to be a widespread problem facing the Masson pine plantation industry. Thus nutrient fertilization of Masson pine plantations in comparable contexts should focus on P management.
- Subjects
CHINA; HUBEI Sheng (China); PINE; PLANT fertilization; TREE growth; STOICHIOMETRY; TREE farms; PLANT nutrients
- Publication
Plant & Soil, 2022, Vol 477, Issue 1/2, p343
- ISSN
0032-079X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s11104-022-05424-2