Effects of localized nitrogen supply treatments on growth and root parameters in Pinus massoniana families under phosphorus deficiency

Aims A heterogeneous spatially distribution of nutrients in natural soil may affect plant growth. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of localized nitrogen (N) supply treatments on growth traits and root parameters among different families in Pinus massoniana.Methods Five families of P. massoniana seedlings from full-sib progenies were used as test materials (1, 25, 49, 52, and 57). This study included two conditions, (i.e. homogeneous phosphorus (P) deficiency vs. heterogeneous P efficiency) among soil layers in combination with four N supply treatments in a one-year pot experiment. These N supply treatments were: (1) Homogeneously high N along the soil profile (HHH); (2) high N-high N-low N (HHL); (3) low N-low N-high N (LLH); (4) low N-low N-on side with N addition and the other side without N supply (LLH/L).Important findings This study indicated that localized N supply treatment did enhance the growth of P. massoniana, and this enhancement mainly happened in the pattern of N applied to deep soil. The results showed: 1) Compared to the homogeneous low P condition, there were increase in the growth traits and root parameters of P. massoniana under heterogeneous low P condition. Particularly, the root length and root surface area under the heterogeneous P deficiency condition were 1.95 times and 2.11 times higher than that subjected to the homogeneous P deficiency. 2) Localized N supply treatment affected seedling growth, and there was a significant interaction among N supply pattern and P condition. In compared with homogeneous N supply treatment, the height, basal diameter and dry weight of seedlings increased significantly by localized N supply treatments (LLH and/or LLH/L) under both two P deficiency conditions. But when the seedlings parameters were enhanced under homogeneous P deficiency, they were inhibited under heterogeneous P deficiency subjected to HHL. 3) Within the two P conditions, LLH and LLH/L stimulated root proliferation significantly, and root parameters were significantly enhanced under the heterogeneous P deficiency condition. Specifically, the root length and root surface area subjected to LLH/L rather than HHH were significantly enhanced by 29.2% and 32.3%, respectively. However, the length and surface area of the roots were suppressed by HHL treatment. 4). There were significant differences in response to different N supply treatments among P. massoniana families Seedlings in the families of 49, 52, and 57 responded to the localized N supply treatments with increased root proliferation, which enhanced seedling dry mass. On the other hand, the seedling growth in the family of 25 were stimulated by N and (or) P concentration, while the response of seedlings in the family of 1 to local nitrogen supply was relatively slow and exhibited growth retardation.