Data on the effects of fertilization on growth rates, biomass allocation, carbohydrates and nutrients of nitrogen-fixing and non-nitrogen-fixing tree legumes during tropical forest restoration

Abstract Objectives Tree legume species play an important role in forest restoration in the tropics. Understanding how different species adjust carbohydrate allocation and growth under distinct nutrient availability will enhance the success of restoring degraded areas. Data description A 2-year tropical forest plantation of the Forest Restoration Program of the Balbina Hydropower Dam was evaluated. Three non-N-fixing (Cenostigma tocantinum, Dipteryx odorata and Senna reticulata) and three N-fixing (Clitoria fairchildiana, Inga edulis and Acacia spp.) tree legume species were either fertilized or not fertilized. Growth rates and biomass allocation were calculated, and carbon (C) fractions and nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) concentrations were determined. Multiple nutrient additions increased the growth rates and aboveground biomass production of fertilized plants. According to the results presented, different species and N- fixers respond differently to fertilization regimes. The authors encourage the use of the presented data in meta-analysis studies that consider the fertilization or nutrient deficiency effects on growth, carbohydrate and nutrient responses. N-fixing species with high biomass growth and foliar N are important for restoring N and C cycles in nutrient-limited soils. Fertilization treatments are fundamental during the early stages of forest plantation development.

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EFFECTS OF ROOT DEFORMATION AND LIGHT AVAILABILITY ON GROWTH AND BIOMASS ALLOCATION OF Senna multijuga SEEDLINGS (Rich) H. S. Irwin & Barneby

Revista Árvore ◽

10.1590/1806-908820200000018 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 44 ◽

Author(s):

Emile Caroline Silva Lopes ◽

Ândrea Carla Dalmolin ◽

Ivan Bezerra Allama ◽

Karine Ferreira Pereira ◽

William Martin Aitken II ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biomass Allocation ◽

Growth Rates ◽

Forest Restoration ◽

Light Availability ◽

Tropical Tree ◽

Interactive Effects ◽

Low Light ◽

Relative Growth ◽

Root Deformation ◽

Senna Multijuga

ABSTRACT The effects of root deformation caused by errors in the pricking-out process in forest nurseries are still unknown for tropical tree seedlings. We analyzed the effects of light availability and root deformation on growth and biomass allocation in seedlings of Senna multijuga, a pioneer tropical tree commonly used in forest restoration programs. Our hypotheses were: (a) as a typical light-demanding species, the seedlings of S. multijuga may have their growth compromised by low light availability; (b) root deformation impairs growth rates and induces changes in biomass allocation; and (c) the effects of low light availability on growth and biomass allocation are increased by root deformation. Seedlings with and without root deformation were cultivated for 43 days under three levels of total daily photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) (28, 12, and 1 mol photons m-2 day-1). Seedlings of S. multijuga had their growth rates severely affected by values of PAR at about 1 mol photons m-2 day-1, but root deformation did not affect the relative growth rates of the whole plant. Instead, root deformation caused a decrease in the relative growth rate of roots in all light availabilities. The changes in root growth affected biomass allocation to the roots. The interactive effects of light availability and root deformation on the allocation of biomass to leaves are more pronounced at low light availability. Root deformations may lead to the production of seedlings with a low competitiveness capacity regardless of light conditions.

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