Adding Castanopsis hystrix to a Pinus massoniana plantation changed leaf phosphorus and nitrogen investment and soil nitrogen concentrations

Li Yan, Yuanguang Wen, Xiaoguo Zhou, Haiyan Li, Wenxiang Wu, V. S. John Sunoj, Hans Lambers, Patrick M. M. Finnegan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background and Aims Pinus massonianaLamb. isan important conifer forestry species in south China, but soil fertility has declined over time in monoculture plantations. Knowledge about how P. massoniana uses phosphorus (P) by distributing it among five biochemical fractions and how intercropping with broadleaf Castanopsis hystrix alters that pattern may inform long-term plantation management.MethodsWe studied a single P. massoniana plantation that was split in half into a monoculture and a P. massoniana / C. hystrix intercropped plantation 25 years after establishment. We measured photosynthesis and leaf concentrations of total P, P allocated to five chemical fractions and total nitrogen (N). We also measured soil N concentrations.ResultsIntercropping C. hystrix with 25-year-old P. massoniana for a further 34 years had no significant impact on P. massoniana total stem volume, although intercropped P. massoniana trees were 5 m taller. Intercropping with C. hystrix increased timber biomass due to the additional C. hystrix stems. Growth of C. hystrix was likely more limited by P than that of P. massoniana in both plantations. Total P concentration and its allocation among fractions declined with increasing leaf age, but differed in the two species. Leaf P-resorption efficiency in intercropped P. massoniana was 79%, which was about 15% greater than that in P. massoniana monoculture and in the intercropped C. hystrix. The greater P-resorption efficiency in intercropped P. massoniana than in monoculture was due to greater mobilization of P from all fractions, except phospholipids. Bulk soil N concentration was 50% greater in the intercropped plantation than in monoculture.ConclusionAdding C. hystrix to an P. massoniana plantation was effective at increasing wood yield without compromising productivity of P. massoniana.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)31-49
Number of pages19
JournalPlant and Soil
Volume496
Issue number1-2
Early online dateJun 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2024

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