scholarly journals Seedling growth, root development and nutrient use efficiency of Cypress clones in response to calcium fertilizer

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhen Zhang ◽  
Guoqing Jin ◽  
Zhichun Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Root Development ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Growing Period ◽  
Fertile Soil ◽  
Dry Biomass ◽  
Accumulation Efficiency ◽  
Infertile Soil

Abstract Background: Cypress (Cupressus funebris Endl.) is an important tree species in the subtropics of China, it is also a major tree species for afforestation and forest land restoration under infertile site conditions. Cypress is considered to be a calcicolous tree, whose there are growth and development can be promoted significantly by exchangeable Calcium (Ca2+) in the soil. However, most of the subtropical regions have infertile acidic soils, in which Ca2+ gradually becomes a limiting element for cypress growth. Results: In this study, different concentrations of Ca2+ fertilizer were added under fertile and infertile soil conditions. Cypress clones responded differently to Ca2+ addition in different soil conditions. In the infertile soil, the addition of 3 g•kg− 1 Ca2+ advanced and prolonged the fast-growing period of seedling height growth, increased plant height and dry biomass, promoted the development of fine roots ≤ 1.5 mm in diameter, and improved accumulation efficiencies of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and Ca by the roots in cypress clones; however, the addition of 6 g•kg− 1 Ca2+ inhibited height growth and root development of cypress. In the fertile soil, Ca2+ addition delayed and shortened the fast-growing period for cypress height growth, but plant height and dry biomass did not differ significantly between treatments; Ca2+ addition also inhibited the development of fine roots. The clone with fast height growth had a larger proportion of roots with a diameter ≤ 1.5 mm and achieved higher N accumulation efficiency, while Ca accumulation efficiency showed genotypic differences only in the fertile soil. Conclusions: An appropriate level of Ca2+ can be added to infertile soil to promote cypress seedling growth, and clones with fast height growth and developed fine roots can be selected for cultivation and promotion in the fertile soil without Ca2+ application.

scholarly journals Seedling growth, root development and nutrient use efficiency of Cypress clones in response to calcium fertilizer

Dendrobiology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 84 ◽  
pp. 39-48
Author(s):  
Zhen Zhang ◽  
Guoqing Jin ◽  
Zhichun Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Root Development ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nutrient Use Efficiency ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Seedling Height ◽  
Fertile Soil ◽  
Npk Fertilizer ◽  
Accumulation Efficiency

Cypress (Cupressus funebris Endl.) is an important tree species in the subtropical regions of China; it is also a major tree species for afforestation and forest land restoration under low-fertility soil conditions. Cypress is considered a calcicolous tree, and its growth and development can be promoted significantly by exchangeable calcium (Ca2+) in the soil. However, most of the subtropical regions have low-fertility acidic soils, in which Ca2+ gradually becomes a limiting element for Cypress growth. In this study, different concentrations of Ca2+ fertilizer were added under fertile soil (3 g·kg-1 NPK fertilizer added) and low-fertility soil (0 g·kg-1 NPK fertilizer added) conditions. Cypress clones responded differently to Ca2+ addition in different soil conditions. The seedling height and dry matter quality of Cypress in fertile soil were significantly greater than those in low-fertility soil, but plant height and dry biomass did not differ significantly among Ca2+ treatments. The accumulation efficiencies of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and Ca all differed significantly among the Ca2+ treatments. In low-fertility soil, the addition of 3 g·kg-1 Ca2+ significantly promoted development of roots 0.5–2 mm in diameter, and both the C1 and C2 clones achieved their highest N, P and Ca accumulation efficiencies. When the Ca2+ concentration increased to 6 g·kg-1, the seedling height, dry matter quality and root development were lower than those of the 3 g·kg-1 Ca2+ treatment. In the fertile soil, the addition of Ca2+ significantly inhibited development of roots 0.5–1 mm in diameter. The highest N accumulation efficiency was achieved under the 0 g·kg-1 Ca2+ treatment, and the highest Ca accumulation efficiency was achieved under the 6 g·kg-1 Ca2+ treatment. Seedling height, root dry weight, roots 0–1.5 mm in diameter and Ca accumulation showed a significant interaction effect between NPK fertilizer and Ca2+. Therefore, Ca accumulation was more efficient in low-fertility soils. Under low-fertility soil conditions, the addition of CaSO4 can promote the root development of seedlings and advance and prolong the fast growth period of seedling height. Cypress clones can be used as an important tree species for afforestation under low-fertility soil conditions, especially under calcareous soil conditions.

Developmental stability, canalization and phenotypic plasticity in annual herbaceous species under different biotic and abiotic conditions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu Wang ◽  
Dao-Wei Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Developmental Stability ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Herbaceous Species ◽  
Fertile Soil ◽  
Plant Growth Stages ◽  
Positive Correlations

Abstract The relationships among developmental stability, canalization and phenotypic plasticity have not been well understood. Inconsistent conclusions from different studies suggested the complexity of their associations, probably depending on specific traits, environmental contexts and plant growth stages. To address this issue, we conducted three experiments (EXP I ~ III) with several annual herbaceous species, to investigate the relationships among leaf (or cotyledon) developmental stability, canalization and plasticity and their variations with different biotic and abiotic environmental conditions and plant growth stages, with comparisons among different species at their early growth stage. We analyzed variations in mean trait value, lamina fluctuating asymmetry (FA), coefficient of variation (CV) and plasticity (RDPIs) and their correlations for lamina size (LS) of individual plants, for LS, petiole length (PL) and petiole angle (PA) of different plant layers in Abutilon theophrasti at three densities in infertile and fertile (or only fertile) soil conditions at three (or two) stages, and for cotyledon size (CS) of five species in contrasting light conditions and seeding depths. High vs. low density decreased LS (with negative RDPIs), FA indexes and CVs, either for individual plants or different layers, especially in fertile soil. Shading was more likely to increase CS (except for A. therophrasti) and FA and decrease CV; deep seeding increased CS of some species in full light, but decreased CS and FA of other species in shading (except for A. therophrasti). FA indexes more likely had positive correlations with mean value, CV and RDPIs of traits; correlations between CV and RDPIs can be positive, negative or insignificant. Correlations among the three variables were more likely positive or insignificant for traits of LS, CS and PL, but more likely negative or insignificant for PA. High density and infertile soil may favor more positive over negative correlations among variables. Results suggested higher levels of lamina FA more likely indicate higher growth rates of plants or modules. Developmental stability was more likely to have positive correlations with canalization, and negative correlations with plasticity, indicating certain common mechanisms associated with them. Environmental stresses can lead to greater phenotypic variations at different levels, facilitating cooperation between the three processes in dealing with environmental challenges.

scholarly journals Development of forest soils in the Krkonoše Mts. in the period 1980–2009

2010 ◽  
Vol 56 (No. 11) ◽  
pp. 485-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Matějka ◽  
S. Vacek ◽  
V. Podrázský
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Vegetation Change ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Site Conditions ◽  
Tree Species Composition ◽  
Spruce Stands

This paper documents the development of soil conditions in the set of 32 permanent research plots in the Krkonoše (Giant) Mts. These plots represent an altitudinal gradient covering the ecosystems of beech, mixed beech-spruce and spruce stands. In all plots, representing the site conditions of the highest areas of the mountain range, standard soil pits were prepared and the soil sampling was performed in autumn of years 1980, 1993, 1998, 2003 and 2009. The results reflect extreme site conditions, soil acidification, large scale surface liming and in minor extent also different tree species composition of the stands. The general type of the soil-genesis is represented by the podzolisation, overlapping the other soil-genetic factors, including the tree species composition. Nevertheless, this development is mostly expressed in the spruce stands. The beech dominance and/or co-dominance are reflected especially by more efficient N-cycling, higher pH, S and V values and fluctuation and lower extractable Al3+ content. More efficient cycling in beech ecosystems is insignificantly documented for plant available phosphorus, calcium and magnesium contents; on the contrary higher dynamics for iron ions was registered in the spruce stands. The long-term soil dynamics with a hysteresis (evident on the base of ordination analysis) can be divided into some periods – processes of acidification (typical in the 1980's samples), liming (main effect in 1993 and 1998) and regeneration (2003, 2009). Other features, important for the soil development, are probably related to the vegetation change, but this relation is not statistically significant.

scholarly journals Site Type Effect on Litter Decomposition Rates: A Three-Year Comparison of Decomposition Process between Spoil Heap and Forest Sites

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Horodecki ◽  
Jagodziński
Keyword(s):  
Litter Decomposition ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Forest Stands ◽  
Decomposition Rates ◽  
Degraded Lands ◽  
Spoil Heap ◽  
Forest Sites ◽  
Pine Stands

Research Highlights: Direct comparison of leaf litter decomposition rates between harsh soil conditions of degraded lands and adjacent “closer to natural” forest areas has not been done before. Background and Objectives: We aimed to fill this knowledge gap by determining the differences in amounts of carbon and nitrogen released by species-specific litter depending on decomposition rates in various stand and habitat conditions, which enables selection of the most ecologically and economically appropriate (for fast soil organic layer development) tree species for afforestation of reclaimed lands. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on the external spoil heap of the “Bełchatów” lignite mine (Central Poland) and adjacent forests. In December 2013, we established a litterbag experiment beneath the canopies of birch and pine stands. We used litter of Alnus glutinosa (Gaertn.), Betula pendula (Roth), Pinus sylvestris (L.), and Quercus robur (L.) collected ex situ, which we installed (after oven-drying) beneath the canopies of eight stands. The experiment lasted for three years (with sampling of three-month intervals). Results: Harsh soil conditions of degraded lands are unfavorable for litter mineralization. It was found that 23%–74% of decomposed materials were mineralized in spoil heap stands, whereas in forest stands these amounts ranged from 35%–83%. Litter of Q. robur in birch stands on the spoil heap is predicted to take 12 years longer for total decomposition than in forest stands of the same species. This hinders organic carbon turnover and could result in elongation of the time for full biological and economic reclamation of degraded lands. On the other hand, decomposition of relatively fast decomposable litter (A. glutinosa and B. pendula) in pine stands on the spoil heap was faster than in pine stands in forest sites (17% and 13% faster, respectively). We did not observe this trend for decomposition of more recalcitrant litter types of P. sylvestris and Q. robur. Conclusions: The results show the value of selective choice of tree species for afforestation of post-mining areas to accelerate the development of technogenic soil substrates. We recommend introducing all tree species studied in the cluster form of admixtures as all of them could bring some profits in ecological and economical reclamation.

scholarly journals Relationship between Very Fine Root Distribution and Soil Water Content in Pre- and Post-Harvest Areas of Two Coniferous Tree Species

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1227
Author(s):  
Moein Farahnak ◽  
Keiji Mitsuyasu ◽  
Takuo Hishi ◽  
Ayumi Katayama ◽  
Masaaki Chiwa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Root System ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Tree Cutting ◽  
Coniferous Tree Species

Tree root system development alters forest soil properties, and differences in root diameter frequency and root length per soil volume reflect differences in root system function. In this study, the relationship between vertical distribution of very fine root and soil water content was investigated in intact tree and cut tree areas. The vertical distribution of root density with different diameter classes (very fine <0.5 mm and fine 0.5–2.0 mm) and soil water content were examined along a slope with two coniferous tree species, Cryptomeria japonica (L.f.) D. Don and Chamaecyparis obtusa (Siebold et Zucc.) Endl. The root biomass and length density of very fine roots at soil depth of 0–5 cm were higher in the Ch. obtusa intact tree plot than in the Cr. japonica intact plot. Tree cutting caused a reduction in the biomass and length of very fine roots at 0–5 cm soil depth, and an increment in soil water content at 5–30 cm soil depth of the Ch. obtusa cut tree plot one year after cutting. However, very fine root density of the Cr. japonica intact tree plot was quite low and the soil water content in post-harvest areas did not change. The increase in soil water content at 5–30 cm soil depth of the Ch. obtusa cut tree plot could be caused by the decrease in very fine roots at 0–5 cm soil depth. These results suggest that the distribution of soil water content was changed after tree cutting of Ch. obtusa by the channels generated by the decay of very fine roots. It was also shown that differences in root system characteristics among different tree species affect soil water properties after cutting.

scholarly journals Washing Roots Reduces Vigor of Loblolly Pine Seedlings

2001 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-30
Author(s):  
William A. Carey ◽  
David B. South ◽  
M. Williford ◽  
J. Britt
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Taeda ◽  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Initial Height ◽  
Pine Seedlings ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
Bud Growth ◽  
Pinus Taeda L ◽  
Growth Of Seedlings

Abstract Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seedlings were lifted from two nurseries in Georgia, and the roots were washed using equipment built for that purpose. Seedlings then received two levels of storage and were outplanted not far from the nursery of origin (one loam soil and one sandy soil). Immediately after washing, root weights and the length of fine roots did not differ among wash treatments from either nursery. Survival was excellent for all treatments on the loam soil, but a single wash reduced survival by 5 to 10% when seedlings were planted in sand. Washing slowed the rate of budbreak and early height growth. Bud growth of seedlings planted in a stress pit (containing sand) was correlated with both root growth 1 month after planting (r = 0.36,P = 0.0003) and survival 2 months after planting (r =0.62,P = 0.01). Among seedlings outplanted on a sandy site, initial height growth also correlated with survival (r = 0.49,P = 0.007). South. J. Appl. For. 25(1):25–30.

Differential determinants of growth rates in subtropical evergreen and deciduous juvenile trees: Carbon gain, hydraulics and nutrient use efficiencies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin-Hua Qi ◽  
Ze-Xin Fan ◽  
Pei-Li Fu ◽  
Yong-Jiang Zhang ◽  
Frank Sterck
Keyword(s):  
Tree Growth ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Nutrient Use Efficiency ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Deciduous Tree ◽  
Carbon Gain ◽  
Evergreen Species ◽  
Nutrient Use ◽  
Use Efficiency

Abstract Growth rate varies across plant species and represents an important ecological strategy for competition, resource use and fitness. However, empirical studies often show a low predictability of functional traits to tree growth. We measured stem diameter and height growth rates of 96 juvenile trees (2 to 5 m tall) of eight evergreen and eight deciduous broadleaf tree species over three consecutive years in a subtropical forest in southwestern China. We examined the relationships between tree growth rates and 20 leaf/stem traits that associated with carbon gain, stem hydraulics and nutrient use efficiency, as well as the difference between evergreen and deciduous trees. We found that cross-species variations of stem diameter/height growth rate can be predicted by leaf photosynthetic capacity, leaf mass per area, xylem theoretical specific hydraulic conductivity, wood density and photosynthetic nutrient use efficiencies. Higher leaf carbon assimilation and lower leaf/stem constructing costs facilitate deciduous species to be more resource acquisitive and consequently faster growth within a relatively shorter growing season, whereas evergreen species exhibit a more conservative strategies and thus slower growth. Further, stem growth rates of evergreen species showed were more dependence on leaf carbon gains, whereas stem hydraulic efficiency were more important for deciduous tree growth. Our results suggest that physiological traits (photosynthesis, hydraulics, nutrient use efficiency) can predict tree diameter and height growth of subtropical tree species. The differential resource acquisition and use strategies and their associations with tree growth between evergreen and deciduous trees provide insights in explaining the co-existence of evergreen and deciduous tree species in subtropical forests.

scholarly journals Use of Plastic Shelters for Low-Cost Establishment of Street Trees

1996 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. H. Jones ◽  
A. H. Chappelka ◽  
D. H. West
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Industrial Park ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Urban Settings ◽  
Planting Methods ◽  
Survival And Growth ◽  
One Year

Abstract One-year-old seedlings of 11 commonly used urban shade tree species were protected with plastic shelters to determine effects on survival and growth. Additional seedlings were planted in the cities of Auburn and Opelika, Alabama, to determine seedling performance in actual urban settings and to estimate incidence of vandalism in five urban settings. Shelters increased survival in four species and height growth in seven. Diameter growth responses were mixed. During the first 13 months after planting, only 3% of the seedlings in the cities were damaged by people. However, 20% of the shelters were vandalized at least once. Vandalism rates for shelters were greatest (37-44%) in neighborhoods of privately and publicly owned homes; intermediate (20%) in recreational parks, and lowest (4-6%) in undeveloped or industrial park areas. Installation of each tree with its shelter cost $2.78 (excluding labor) and required 20-25 minutes of labor. Tree shelters show promise as a low-cost alternative to more expensive planting methods, especially in undeveloped portions of cities. South. J. Appl. For. 20(2):85-89.

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