Diagnosis of plant nutrient and growth responses on fertilization with vector analysis and morphological index

摘要

Appropriate nutrient application is critical for nursery managers to achieve a healthy seedling production as well as to diminish financial and environmental costs. The growth performance and nutritional changes were quantified by vector diagnosis and quality index (QI) for the appropriate fertilization. The height and root collar diameter of Fraxinus rhynchophylla and F. mandshurica increased as fertilization increased and those of Pinus koraiensis and Abies holophylla did not show any significant difference across treatments. The highest fertilization increased QIs of F. rhynchophylla and F. mandshurica by three and two times, respectively, compared to the control. Vector diagnosis showed diverse responses of plant nutrition to fertilization among species, application amounts, and elements. For example, fertilization induced an increase in nutrient uptake and dry weight, and a decrease in nutrients N and K, and all treatment levels, which reflect dilution in F. rhynchophylla . However, P concentrations were stable with an increase of nutrient uptake and biomass growth, which means sufficiency. Based on morphological index and vector diagnosis, F. rhynchophylla and F. mandshurica require more fertilization, for sustainably good growth and plant nutrition, than is provided by the standard application (N 13.8?g?m~(?2), P 6.1?g?m~(?2), K 7.5?g?m~(?2)), while P. koraiensis and A. holophylla need not be fertilized as much as the standard. Considering the nutrient requirement differences of each species, coupling of QI and vector diagnosis techniques for appropriate nutrient application will not only contribute to an economic increasing of seedling production for reforestation but will also diminish financial and environmental costs.