The impact of NPK fertilizer on growth and nutrient accumulation in juniper (Juniperus procera) trees grown on fire-damaged and intact soils

Abstract

Wildfires significantly alter soil properties and result in vegetation shifts; therefore, rapid reforestation activities are needed in the forests affected by wildfires. The decreased nutrient in the soil is the obvious effect of wildfires; however, little is known about the reforestation of Juniper (Juniperus procera) forests with application of NPK fertilizers. Juniper forests are common in Asir and Taif regions of Saudi Arabia and vulnerable to wildfires; thus, reforestation is needed after the onset of fires. This study assessed the impact of different doses of organic NPK fertilizer (0, 5 and 10 g/L) on growth and nutrient accumulation of Juniper trees grown on fire-damaged and intact soils. Data relating to tree height, number of leaves per plant, fresh and dry biomass accumulation in shoot and root, chlorophyll contents and uptake of N, P, K, and Na were recorded. Individual and interactive effects of soil types and fertilizer doses significantly altered all measured traits with minor exceptions. Overall, higher values of the measured traits were recorded for intact soil and 10 g/L fertilize dose. The increasing fertilizer doses improved the growth and nutrient acquisition and application of 10 g/L fertilizer on intact soil recorded the highest values of growth traits. Juniper trees grown on fire-damaged soil accumulated higher amount of nitrogen than intact soil. Similarly, the trees grown on intact soil accumulated lower amount of Na and maintained comparable K/Na ratio to intact soil. It is concluded that supplying 10 g/L fertilizer could improve the establishment of Juniper trees on fire-damaged soil. Therefore, organic fertilizer can be used to improve the reforestation of wildfire-affected Juniper forests in the Asir province.

Application of Earthworm Manure (EWM) and NPK Fertilizer to Improve the Quality of Acid Sulphate Soil (ASS) as a Sweet Corn (Zea mays L) Cultivation Land in North Sumatra, Indonesia

“…The high correlation can be caused by dual terms: the properties of NPK compounds was more easily and quickly dissolves and the condition of the ASS ecosystem was acidic (pH 4.62-4.65). These two aspects support the rate of dissolution of NPK more intensively so that the N, P, and K content in NPK could readily and quickly dissolve [8,13] . This condition increases the content of N, P, and K in the soil.…”

Suitable split nitrogen application increases grain yield and photosynthetic capacity in drip-irrigated winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under different water regimes in the North China Plain

“…Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are the three main essential nutrients that plants require for optimum growth and development. During the life cycle, an insufficiency of any of these nutrients has a deleterious impact on plant growth and development (Khalofah et al, 2022). N plays an important role in plants' vegetative growth, synthesis of chlorophyll, and subsequently in photosynthesis (Duarah et al, 2011;Khan et al, 2012).…”

“…N plays an important role in plants' vegetative growth, synthesis of chlorophyll, and subsequently in photosynthesis (Duarah et al, 2011;Khan et al, 2012). P is involved in the released energy storage and transfer during photosynthetic activity, and its deficit delays plant maturity (Khalofah et al, 2022). In the current study, compared to the I 30 N 100-0 treatment, the I 45 N 50-50 treatment significantly (P<0.05) increased plant total N content by 38.6 and 35.51% in 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, respectively, and significantly (P<0.05) increased plant total K content by 21.…”

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

“…It is assumed that planting trees in degraded lands could improve soil quality, enhance biodiversity, and provide ecosystem services (Masaba & Etemesi, 2021; Yirdaw et al, 2017). However, degraded lands have poor nutrients and this affects the growth and development of planted trees, which hinders afforestation activities (Khalofah et al, 2022). Many degraded soils are limited in their capacity to supply macro‐ and micronutrients (Kihara et al, 2017).…”

“…While LeBel et al (2008) found that fertilizing increased the height of Picea mariana seedlings. Studies showed that increasing NPK doses significantly increased the growth of Juniperus procera grown on damaged and intact soils (Khalofah et al, 2022).…”