Mixture Compound Fertilizer and Super Absorbent Polymer Application Significantly Promoted Growth and Increased Nutrient Levels in Pinus massoniana Seedlings and Soil in Seriously Eroded Degradation Region of Southern China

Abstract

Pinus massoniana is the pioneer tree species in the red soil regions of southern China, however, the serious understory soil erosion and nutrient deficiency in that region are the main factors restricting the growth of P. massoniana. This field study examined the effects of compound fertilizer and super absorbent polymer (SAP) on the physiology, growth characteristics, biomass, soil nutrient, plant nutrient content, and nutrient uptake efficiency of 1-year-old P. massoniana seedlings for 2 years at Changting, Fujian in South China. One control (no fertilizer, CK) and fertilization treatments were established, namely, single compound fertilizer application (0.94, 1.89, and 3.56 g⋅plant–1) and mixture compound fertilizer and SAP application (0.94 + 1.01, 1.89 + 1.01, and 3.56 + 1.01 g⋅plant–1). Fertilization significantly improved the physiological performance, root collar diameter growth, height growth, biomass, and nutrient uptake of the seedlings. Compared with other fertilization treatments, the mixture compound fertilizer and SAP application significantly improved the seedling photosynthesis, which meant that the SAP had a significant effect on promoting photosynthesis. Under the mixture compound fertilizer and SAP application, the whole biomass of the seedlings was higher than that of all other treatments. Fertilization significantly increased the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) content in the soils, leaves, stems, and roots of the seedlings, respectively. The P content was the main factor affecting growth characteristics and contributed to 58.03% of the total variation in seedling growth characteristics (P < 0.01). The N:P ratio of CK in the soils, leaves, and stems were higher than that of all the fertilization treatments, indicating that the severely eroded and degraded region had little P and required much of P. The principal component analysis indicated that the F2S (1.89 + 1.01 g) was the optimum fertilization amount and method in this experiment. These results provide a theoretical basis for the fertilization management of P. massoniana forests with severely eroded and degraded red soil regions.

Effect of Natural Liquid Hydroabsorbents on Ammonia Emission from Liquid Nitrogen Fertilizers and Plant Growth of Maize (Zea Mays L.) under Drought Conditions

“…Rimski-Korsakov et al [ 90 ] reported that, while maize grown under the drought conditions uptakes N from fertilizer independently of the N rate, the nitrogen uptake increased with the optimal water regime. The positive effect of hydroabsorbents addition to fertilizers on the nitrogen uptake by plants Pinus massoniana was also described by Mao et al [ 91 ]. Mixture compound fertilizer and superabsorbent polymer application significantly increased the nitrogen content in the leaves, stems and roots of the seedlings.…”

Response of the growth and survival of tree species planted in a degraded land with a supplement of diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer

“…Afa et al (2011) found that the combined treatment of Khaya ivorensis seedlings with nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizer resulted in higher total biomass production rather than a single treatment the nitrogen or phosphorous fertilizer. Mao et al (2021) found that the whole biomass of Pinus massoniana seedlings after 1 year of planting in a degraded area increased with compound fertilizer application than that of all other single fertilizer treatments. Studies showed that fertilizer that provides P on an N‐limited site, or vice versa, may produce negligible results (Schönau & Herbert, 1989).…”