Growth, Biomass, and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Containerized Fraser Fir (Abies fraseri) as Related to Irrigation and Nitrogen Fertilization
Year: 2010
Type: article
Abstract: Growth and nutrient uptake of containerized fraser fir ( Abies fraseri) seedlings in response to irrigation and fertilization was investigated for 2 years in a greenhouse experiment. Height and stem diameter growth increased 12% to 35% and 4% to 32%, respectively, with increased irrigation. There was an inverse relationship between irrigation and foliar nitrogen content and no irrigation effect on foliar phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and manganese. Irrigation increased foliar calcium. Approximately 2.0% to 4.5% of applied nitrogen was lost through leaching. Increases in total biomass in high irrigation treatments were caused by higher root and stem biomass. Higher irrigation treatments increased nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and assimilatory nitrogen use efficiency probably as a result of increase in carbon assimilation efficiency leading to increase in net primary productivity. There was no clear effect on the root weight ratio, but the index nitrogen availability per unit of foliage indicated a higher availability in plants receiving the lowest irrigation. This suggests that under water stress, the decrease in assimilation and NUE may be buffered by an increase in the plant's ability to provide nitrogen and other nutrients to various organs.
Source: HortScience
Authors: Pascal Nzokou, Bert M. Cregg
Institution: Michigan State University
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,000
OpenAlex ID: W2102788080