The effects of fall fertilization on the growth of Chinese pine and Prince Rupprecht’s larch seedlings

Abstract

Nutrient loading in the fall is a practical way to improve seedling quality and has been proven to increase nutrient accumulation, translocation and utilization. Few studies have reported on the variation in free amino acids as a result of fall fertilization, especially for different seasonal needle habits (evergreen, deciduous). Therefore, a balanced two-factor factorial design with one fall fertilization treatment (10 mg N/seedling) and Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.) and Prince Rupprecht’s larch (Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr.) seedlings was used to examine growth response over one nursery season. Associated changes between fall fertilization, N storage and free amino acids were analyzed. Results showed that: (1) stem height, diameter and biomass for both species were similar between controls and fall fertilization treatments; (2) compared to controls, fall fertilization increased Chinese pine needle and root N by 17.7% and 36.9%, respectively. For Prince Rupprecht’s larch, fall fertilization resulted in 26.3% and 34.54% more N in stem and roots, respectively, than controls; (3) the three main amino acids in control and fertilization treatments in Prince Rupprecht’s larch seedlings were glutamine, arginine and proline, and in Chinese pine seedlings were glutamine, arginine and γ-amino butyric acid; (4) total amino acid contents were not significantly increased by fall fertilization, but glutamine in Chinese pine and Prince Rupprecht’s larch increased by 64.2% and 35.2%, respectively. Aboveground biomass of Prince Rupprecht’s larch had higher proline contents than Chinese pine, which suggests that the stress resistance of the aboveground tissue may be higher for Prince Rupprecht’s larch. The results indicate that different plant organs with various response are well adapted to nitrogen loading for nutrient storage in evergreen and deciduous conifer seedlings.

Keywords

Amino acids / Fall fertilization / Larix principis-rupprechtii / Seedling quality / Pinus tabulaeformis

References

[1] Alia, Prasad KVSK, Saradhi PP. Effect of zinc on free radicals and proline in Brassica and Cajanus. Phytochemistry, 1995, 39(1): 45-47.

[2] Birchler TM, Rose R, Haase DL. Fall fertilization with N and K: effects on Douglas-fir seedling quality and performance. West J Appl For, 2001, 16: 71-79.

[3] Boivin JR, Miller BD, Timmer VR. Late-season fertilization of Picea mariana seedlings under greenhouse culture: biomass and nutrient dynamics. Ann For Sci, 2002, 59(3): 255-264.

[4] Boivin JR, Salifu F, Timmer VR. Late-season fertilization of Picea mariana seedlings, intensive loading and outplanting response on greenhouse bioassays. Ann For Sci, 2004, 61(8): 737-745.

[5] Grassi G, Millar P, Wendler R, Minotta G, Tagliavini M. Measurement of xylem sap amino acid concentrations in conjunction with whole tree transpiration estimates spring N remobilization by cherry (Prunus avium L.) trees. Plant Cell Environ, 2002, 25(12): 1689-1699.

[6] Grossnickle SC. The importance of root growth in overcoming planting stress. New For, 2005, 30: 273-294.

[7] Hu YB, Sun GY. Leaf nitrogen dioxide uptake coupling apoplastic chemistry, carbon/sulfur assimilation, and plant nitrogen status. Plant Cell Rep, 2010, 29(10): 1069-1077.

[8] Hu B, Kuster TM, Arend M, Siegwolf R, Rennenberg H. Nitrogen partitioning in oak leaves depends on species, provenance, climate conditions and soil type. Plant Biol, 2013, 15: 198-209.

[9] Islam MA, Apostol KG, Jacobs DF. Fall fertilization of Pinus resinosa seedlings, nutrient uptake, cold hardiness, and morphological development. Ann For Sci, 2009, 66: 704-712.

[10] Krasensky J, Jonak C. Drought, salt, and temperature stress-induced metabolic rearrangements and regulatory networks. J Exp Bot, 2012, 63: 1593-1608.

[11] Lee BR, Lee DG, Avice JC, Kim TH. Characterization of vegetative storage protein (VSP) and low molecular proteins induced by water deficit in stolon of white clover. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 2014, 443: 229-233.

[12] Millard P, Grelet G. Nitrogen storage and remobilization by trees: ecophysiological relevance in a changing world. Tree Physiol, 2010, 30: 1083-1095.

[13] Millard P, Proe MF. Leaf demography and the seasonal internal cycling of nitrogen in sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) seedlings in relation to nitrogen supply. New Phytol, 1991, 117(4): 587-596.

[14] Millard P, Proe MF. Storage and internal cycling of nitrogen in relation to seasonal growth of Sitka spruce. Tree Physiol, 1992, 10(1): 33-43.

[15] Munoz N, Guerri J, Legaz F, Primo-millo E. Seasonal uptake of ¹⁵N-nitrate and distribution of absorbed nitrogen in peach trees. Plant Soil, 1993, 150(2): 263-269.

[16] Nambiar EKS, Fife DN. Nutrient retranslocation in temperate conifers. Tree Physiol, 1991, 9: 185-207.

[17] Oliet JA, Salazar JM, Villar R, Robredo E, Valladares F. Fall fertilization of Holm oak affects N and P dynamics, root growth potential, and post-planting phenology and growth. Ann For Sci, 2011, 68: 647-656.

[18] Oliet JA, Puértolas J, Planelles R, Jacobs DF. Nutrient loading of forest tree seedlings to promote stress resistance and field performance: a Mediterranean perspective. New For, 2013, 44(5): 649-669.

[19] Peuke AD. The chemical composition of xylem sap in Vitis vinifera L. cv. Riesling during vegetative growth on three different Franconian vineyard soils and as influenced by nitrogen fertilizer. Am J Enol Vitic, 2000, 51(4): 329-339.

[20] Rennenberg H, Dannenmann M, Gessler A, Kreuzwieser J, Simon J, Papen H. Nitrogen balance in forest soils: nutritional limitation of plants under climate change stresses. Plant Biol, 2009, 11: 4-23.

[21] Rennenberg H, Wildhagen H, Ehlting B. Nitrogen nutrient of poplar trees. Plant Biol, 2010, 12(2): 275-291.

[22] Stepien V, Sauter JJ, Martin F. Vegetative storage proteins in woody plants. Plant Physiol Biochem, 1994, 32(2): 185-192.

[23] Van den Driessche R. Late-season fertilization, mineral nutrient reserves, and retranslocation in planted Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) seedlings. For Sci, 1985, 31: 485-496.

[24] Villar-Salvador P, Uscola M, Jacobs DF. The role of stored carbohydrates and nitrogen in the growth and stress tolerance of planted forest trees. New For, 2015, 46: 813-839.

[25] Wang J, Li G, Pinto JR. Both nursery and field performance determine suitable nitrogen supply of nursery-grown, exponentially fertilized Chinese pine. Silva Fenn, 2015 49 3 1295

[26] Wang J, Yu H, Li G, Zhang F. Growth and nutrient dynamics of transplanted Quercus variabilis seedlings as influenced by pre-hardening and fall fertilization. Silva Fenn, 2016 50 2 1475

[27] Weber P, Stoermer H, Geßler A, Schneider S, Sengbusch DV, Hanemann U, Rennenberg H. Metabolic responses of Norway spruce (Picea abies) trees to long-term forest management practices and acute (NH₄)₂SO₄ fertilization, transport of soluble non-protein nitrogen compounds in xylem and phloem. New Phytol, 1998, 140(3): 461-475.

[28] Wei HX, Xu CY, Ma LY, Duan J, Jiang LN, Ren J. Effect of late-season fertilization on nutrient reserves and carbohydrate accumulation in bareroot Larix olgensis seedlings. J Plant Nutr, 2014, 37: 279-293.

[29] Wildhagen H, Dürr J, Ehlting B. Seasonal nitrogen cycling in the bark of field-grown grey poplar is correlated with meteorological factors and gene expression of bark storage proteins. Tree Physiol, 2010, 30: 1096-1110.

[30] Wu G, Feng ZW. Study on the social characteristics and biomass of the Pinus tabulaeformis forest systems in China. Acta Ecol Sin, 1994, 14: 415-422.

[31] Wu B, Nioh I. Growth and water relations of P. tabulaeformis seedlings inoculated with ectomycorrhizal fungi. Microb Environ, 1997, 12(3): 69-74.

[32] Zhao Y, Hui W, Li J, Li J, Dong W, Wei H, He CX. Late-season fluxes of ammonium and nitrate in roots of two poplar clones pretreated with nutrient addition. Int J Agric Biol, 2017, 19: 1525-1534.

[33] Zhu Y, Dumroese RK, Pinto JR, Li G, Liu Y. Fall fertilization enhanced nitrogen storage and translocation in Larix olgensis, seedlings. New For, 2013, 44(6): 849-861.