Effects of nitrogen content on growth and hydraulic characteristics of peach (Prunus persica L.) seedlings under different soil moisture conditions

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of nitrogen content [N₁ (no fertilizer), N₂ (0.15 g·kg⁻¹), and N₃ (0.3 g·kg⁻¹)] on the growth and the hydraulic characteristics of peach seedlings under different soil moisture conditions (W₁, W₂ and W₃, in which the soil water content was 45% to 55%, 60% to 70%, and 75% to 80% of the field water capacity, respectively) by using a specialized high pressure flow meter with a root chamber and a coupling, which was connected to plant organs. Leaf area and leaf hydraulic conductivity (K _L) increased significantly in the seedlings because of increased soil moisture and N content. K _L increased with leaf area. A linear correlation was documented between K _L and leaf area. K _L was higher in the morning and began to decline sharply after 16:00, at which K _L declined after an initial increase. Soil moisture and N content enhanced shoot (K _s) and root (K _r) hydraulic conductivities, thereby improving the low soil moisture condition to a large extent. K _s and K _r of the seedlings were reduced by 32% and 27% respectively in N₁, and by 14.7% and 9.4%, respectively in N₂, and both in W₁, compared with the control treatment. N₃ had no significant effect on K _s and K _r under similar conditions. Linear negative correlations were observed between K _r and the excised root diameter as well as between K _s and the shoot stem diameter. The shoot-to-root ratio increased with increase in N content. The shoot-to-root ratio in N₃ was increased by 14.37%, compared with N₁ in W₁ as well as by 12% and 4.39% in W₂ and W₃, respectively. Knowledge of the effects of soil moisture and N fertilizer on hydraulic characteristics and growth is important. Our results provide basic guidelines for the implementation of water-saving irrigation and fertilization management of nursery stock.

Keywords

nitrogen / Hydraulic conductivity / growth / WUE / Prunus persica L.

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