Effects of leguminous ground cover competition on red birch and soil nutrient status in the nursery

Legumes as ground cover are regularly planted to increase nitrogen economy of crops and to improve soil. In the present study various clover species were evaluated as vegetative ground cover in nursery field production of micropropagated red birch (Betula pubescensEhrh. f. rubraUlvinen f. nova) in two 2-year experiments. The clover species and cultivars, Trifolium pratenseL. ‘Bjursele’, T. repens L. ‘Jogeva’, T. repens L. ‘Sonja’, T. hybridum L. ‘Frida’, T. incarnatum L. ‘Opolska’, T. resupinatum L. and T. subterraneum L. were compared to grass sod Festuca rubra L. ‘Ensylva’ and to a coverless ground (control). The last one was kept weed free by hand hoeing. Birch (leaves, stems, branches and roots) and soil nutrient concentrations (N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Fe) were analysed and nutrient ratios in birch determined. The annual clovers, T. incarnatumL., T. resupinatumL. and T. subterraneumL., provided about the same nutrient status in birch as did the control. Perennial clovers and grass were strong competitors with trees. High levels of P and Mg in birch leaves relative to N concentration were typical for poorly growing seedlings. Neither annual nor perennial clovers did generally improve soil nutrient status. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Alternate Bearing Affects Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium and Starch Storage Pools in Mature Pistachio Trees

The relationship between crop load and the functional storageof selected macronutrients and starch was assessed to developnutrient budgets and best management fertilization practicesin orchards. Functional storage represents the amount of nutrientsand starch redistributed from perennial tree parts in supportof the spring growth flush. Functional storage was influencedby:(a)nutrient and starch accumulation prior to dormancy; and(b)nutrientand starch demand by vegetative and reproductive organs in spring.Lightly cropping (off-year) trees stored 7, 14 and 2 times asmuch N, P and K, respectively, as heavily cropping (on-year)trees. Similar to many biennial plant species, nutrients thataccumulated during the vegetative phase in off-year trees wereused to support reproductive growth during the subsequent on-year.Soil nutrient uptake contributed more to storage pools thanleaf nutrient resorption in off-year-trees, while the reversewas true in on-year trees. Net nutrient resorption from senescingleaves accounted for all of the N and P and a third of the Kstored in on-year trees. Only between 20–33% of the N,P and K stored in perennial tissues of off-year trees couldbe attributed to leaf nutrient resorption. This is the firststudy to determine the amounts of nutrients stored in the perennialparts of mature, field-grown trees and the relative contributionsof leaf nutrient resorption and soil nutrient uptake to functionalstorage in trees.Copyright 1998 Annals of Botany Company Pistacia vera, nutrient storage, biennial bearing, crop load, leaf nutrient resorption, source-sink relationships.     

Effects of nitrogen fertilization of grapefruit trees on soil acidification and nutrient availability in a Riviera fine sand

Nitrogen (N) fertilizer applied in the NH4+ form results in some degree of soil acidification, which could influence nutrient availability to plants and nutrient losses through leaching. Effects of various N rates (0 – 168 kg N ha-1 yr-1) on soil acidification and nutrient availability were investigated in a Riviera fine sand with 26-year-old white Marsh grapefruit (Citrus paradisi MacFadyen) trees. Soil pH significantly decreased with increasing NH4–N rates. Application of 112 kg N ha-1 yr-1 for four years decreased the pH by 0.7 to 1.7 unit. Soil acidification was greater when the NH4+ form of N fertilizer was applied as dry soluble granular material compared to fertigation or controlled release forms. The marked effect of NH4–N fertilization on the pH of the Riviera fine sand was due to its low buffering capacity. Soil acidification increased the concentration of extractable Fe and P but decreased that of K, Zn and Mn. Soil pH was positively correlated with concentration of Ca, but negatively with concentrations of Fe, Mn and Zn in six-month-old spring flush leaves of the grapefruit trees. Leaf P concentrations, however, were poorly correlated with soil pH. This study also demonstrated an increase in leaching of P and K below the grapefruit trees rootzone with a decrease in soil pH.     

Drip nitrogen fertigation of ‘Starking Delicious’ apple trees

The response of ‘Starking Delicious’ (Malus domestica Borkh.) apple trees to four N fertigation treatments in drip irrigation (50, 150, 250 and 400 kg N ha⁻¹, supplemented with a uniform dose of 400 kg K ha⁻¹) was investigated in a field experiment during 6 years. Nitrate nitrogen in the soil was proportional (7–58 mg kg⁻¹) to the applied N dose at the end of a 6 week fertigation period in the spring. At other times, the nitrate concentration in the soil was very low. Soil K decreased with depth and in the 0–30 cm soil layer it was negatively correlated with the applied N dose, before fertigation started. At the end of the spring fertigation period, higher K was found in all soil layers analyzed. Vegetative growth was correlated positively with the amount of N applied. Leaf chlorophyll and N were significantly lower only in the lowest N treatment, while increased fruit size and decreased fruit color were measured only in the higher N treatments. Yield was severely biennial. In the ‘On’ years crop load was heavier as less N was applied. An extremely high crop load in the lowest N treatment was followed by a reduced flower density and yield in the following season. In the ‘Off’ years, a significantly higher yield was obtained with the 150 kg ha⁻¹ dose. The dry weights, N, P and K contents of the above ground parts of mature apple trees were determined. Contribution from the Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel, No. 2342-E, 1988 Series.     

Associative effect of Rhizobium and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria on the yield and nutrient uptake of chickpea

Combined inoculation of Rhizobium and ‘Phosphate-solubilizing’Pseudomonas striata orBacillus polymyxa with and without added chemical fertilizer on chickpea yield and nutrient content was studied under greenhouse conditions. While the single inoculation of Rhizobium increased the nodulation and nitrogenase activity, the ‘phosphate-solubilizers’ increased the available phosphorus content of the soil. Combined inoculation of Rhizobium andP. striata orB. polymyxa increased the above parameters and also the dry matter content, the grain yield and nitrogen and phosphorus uptake significantly over the uninoculated control. The inoculation effects were more pronounced in the presence of added fertilizers. The possibilities of saving half the dose of N and replacing superphosphate with rockphosphate and inoculation with ‘phosphate-solubilizers’ are discussed.     

Effects of water and nutrient applications in a Scots pine stand to tree growth and nutrient cycling

In a Scots pine forest stand, demineralized water and a complete set of nutrients with water were applied to the soil by means of frequent irrigation for four years in order to eliminate water and nutrient shortage of the trees. Apart from this optimization, dissolved (NH₄)₂SO₄ was irrigated at a rate of 120 kg N ha^-1 y^-1 to create a situation of N excess. Effect of treatments on tree growth and chemical composition of soil water and vegetation were monitored. From the first treatment year onwards basal area growth increased by ca. 35% as a result of the increased water supply. Nutrient applications increased K and P concentrations in pine needles immediately, but growth was enhanced only in the fourth treatment year and coincided with an improved K supply. Most of the applied P and K was retained in the soil, and only 6% was recovered in the vegetation. Tree nutrient status did not respond on Ca and Mg applications, whereas Ca and Mg seepage losses were increased with ca. 5 kg ha^-1 y^-1. The applied NH₄ was mostly retained in the 0–20 cm surface soil and caused a drastic increase of Al in soil solution. Tree growth was stimulated initially by extra NH₄, but was hampered after three years obviously because of a decreased P nutrition. The applied base cations were absorped to the soil and the accompanying anions were leached, thus temporarily increasing the acidification of the soil solution.     

Temporal patterns of growth and nutrient accumulation of plant species in a Mediterranean mountainous grassland

The temporal patterns of growth and nutrient accumulation into shoots of coexisting species were studied at two neighbouring areas contrasting with respect to long-term water availability, in an upland herbaceous grassland. Plant growth limiting nutrients were nitrogen (N) in the wet area, and N and phosphorus (P) in the dry area. A series of seven harvests allowed assessment of temporal patterns of peaks for dry matter, N, P and potassium (K) accumulation into shoots and their respective rates of accumulation. Additionally, “pairwise species’ proportion similarities” and “pairwise species’ overlaps” were estimated from shoot biomass data. The peaks of N and P accumulation preceded those of K and dry matter accumulation. Similar trends were evident for the respective rates of accumulation. Compared to the dry area, in the wet area there was a prolonged growing period that increased the inter-species temporal variability in the rates of nutrient accumulation. Abundance of species was correlated (negatively) to species N and P concentrations only in the dry area. It is argued that the significant negative correlation between abundance and either N or P concentrations in the dry area was indicative of intensified inter-species competition resulting from declined temporal complementarity.     

Are patterns in nutrient limitation belowground consistent with those aboveground: results from a 4 million year chronosequence

Accurately predicting the effects of global change on net carbon (C) exchange between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere requires a more complete understanding of how nutrient availability regulates both plant growth and heterotrophic soil respiration. Models of soil development suggest that the nature of nutrient limitation changes over the course of ecosystem development, transitioning from nitrogen (N) limitation in ‘young’ sites to phosphorus (P) limitation in ‘old’ sites. However, previous research has focused primarily on plant responses to added nutrients, and the applicability of nutrient limitation-soil development models to belowground processes has not been thoroughly investigated. Here, we assessed the effects of nutrients on soil C cycling in three different forests that occupy a 4 million year substrate age chronosequence where tree growth is N limited at the youngest site, co-limited by N and P at the intermediate-aged site, and P limited at the oldest site. Our goal was to use short-term laboratory soil C manipulations (using ¹⁴C-labeled substrates) and longer-term intact soil core incubations to compare belowground responses to fertilization with aboveground patterns. When nutrients were applied with labile C (sucrose), patterns of microbial nutrient limitation were similar to plant patterns: microbial activity was limited more by N than by P in the young site, and P was more limiting than N in the old site. However, in the absence of C additions, increased respiration of native soil organic matter only occurred with simultaneous additions of N and P. Taken together, these data suggest that altered nutrient inputs into ecosystems could have dissimilar effects on C cycling above- and belowground, that nutrients may differentially affect of the fate of different soil C pools, and that future changes to the net C balance of terrestrial ecosystems will be partially regulated by soil nutrient status.     

Effects of irrigation and balanced fertilization on nutrient cycling in a Douglas fir stand

The effects on growth and nutrient status of an increased availability of all major nutrients was studied in a 40 year old Douglas fir stand. The nutrient amounts were applied by daily sprinkling and were in fixed, optimal proportions to the estimated annual uptake of N. Irrigation was included to avoid drought stress. The nutrient applications were also done in combination with a lower NH₄ load, realized under a roof that was placed above the ground. According to nutritional standards nitrogen supply was optimal and was related to the moderately high atmospheric N inputs. Nutrition of P, K and in some years Ca seemed critical.In all four studied growing seasons water additions resulted in a growth increase, of 30 to 40%. Irrigation decreased needle fall. Nutrient applications increased the needle concentrations of P and K considerably, but this did not result in a growth enhancement. Fertilization also increased K and P in shedded needles. Only minor leaching losses were calculated. The recovery in trees of fertilizer K and P was maximally 15%. Input-output budgets suggested that P was strongly retained in the soil. The decrease in NH₄ load had slightly decreased N availability and soil acidification, and seemed to enhance tree growth. The use of tree growth as a parameter to evaluate the effects of an improved nutritional balance is discussed.     

The effect of phosphorus deficiency on nutrient uptake,nitrogen fixation and photosynthetic rate in mashbean,mungbean and soybean

Phosphorous (P) fertilization is the major mineral nutrient yield determinant among legume crops. However, legume crops vary widely in the ability to take up and use P during deficiency. The aim here was to compare P uptake and translocation, biological nitrogen fixing ability and photosynthetic rate among mashbean (Vigna aconitifolia cv. ‘Mash-88’), mungbean (Vigna radiata cv. ‘Moong-6601’) and soybean (Glycine max L. cv. ‘Tamahomare’) during deficiency in hydroponics. Two treatments, the withdrawal of P from the solution (P-deprivation) and continued P at 160 μM (P sufficient) were effected at the pod initiation stage. Plants were grown for 20 days. Short-term labeling with ³²P showed the uptake and distribution of P into plant parts. Withdrawal of P from the solution reduced biomass, photosynthetic activity, and nitrogen fixing ability in mungbean, and mashbean more than in soybean. P deprivation decreased P accumulation more than N accumulation. The decrease was more severe in mungbean and mashbean than soybean. More P was translocated and distributed into leaves in soybean than in mungbean and mashbean. Leaf P amount was more correlated to leaf area than to photosynthetic rate per unit leaf area among all three legume species. The results indicate that selection for increased efficiency of P utilization and leaf area may be used to improve leguminous crops.     

亚热带红壤侵蚀区马尾松针叶养分含量及再吸收特征

叶片衰老过程中的养分再吸收是植物适应养分贫瘠生境的一种重要策略,一直是生态学领域的研究热点。以亚热带红壤侵蚀区生态恢复先锋树种马尾松为研究对象,分析4种不同恢复水平下马尾松叶片养分含量随叶龄的变化情况及养分再吸收特征。结果表明:(1)叶片中N、P、K含量变化范围分别在(6.10±0.52)—(12.02±0.85)mg/g、(0.17±0.03)—(1.02±0.01)mg/g、(1.58±0.49)—(9.46±0.90)mg/g,随叶龄增长整体呈先增加后降低的趋势,具有一个快速积累期和一个相对漫长衰减期的动态特征,这表明叶龄也是影响叶片养分含量的重要因素;(2)叶片N、P、K含量随生境恢复水平的提高而增加,且N、P含量在除凋落叶外的叶龄阶段均表现出显著正相关,表明叶片中这两种营养元素在动态变化上存在协同性;(3)在叶片N、P、K再吸收效率中,P、K再吸收效率较高,而N相对较低。养分再吸收受生境中营养元素的含量水平、循环方式等因素的综合影响表现出一定选择性,对生境中较为贫瘠或使其生长受到限制的元素具有较高的再吸收效率。这不仅可以减小植物对外源养分的依赖性,同时也维持了体内重要营养元素的平衡。随叶龄增长叶片中N/P逐渐增大,反映出在叶片衰老过程中对限制元素P具有较强的再吸收能力,这种反馈调节提高了马尾松对养分贫瘠环境的适应性。本文的研究结果可为亚热带红壤侵蚀退化区先锋物种在贫瘠生境条件下的养分利用机制与适应对策方面的研究提供理论依据。     

Nutrient accumulation and distribution of wheat genotypes in response to waterlogging and nutrient supply

The effect of soil waterlogging and nutrient supply on plant nutrient accumulation and distribution was investigated for two genotypes of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) differing in waterlogging resistance, Bayles and Savannah. Plants were grown in waterlogged or drained sand and fertilized with half-strength or full-strength Hoagland's solution.Waterlogging reduced the concentrations of N, P, K, Mg, and Zn in leaves and stems and increased the concentrations of those elements in the root system. The effects were greater for waterlogging-sensitive Bayles than for waterlogging-resistant Savannah. Higher concentrations of Fe and Mn were found in waterlogged plants compared to the control plants for sensitive Bayles. Waterlogging increased the proportion of N and Zn in the root system and decreased that of K in stems for Bayles. The proportion of Fe increased in leaves and stems for Bayles and Savannah under waterlogged conditions, but to a greater extent for Bayles. Doubling the concentrations of all major and minor nutrient elements supplied to the waterlogged rooting medium improved plant nutrient status and enhanced plant dry matter production.     

Timing of nitrogen uptake affects winter storage and spring remobilisation of nitrogen in nectarine (Prunus persica var. nectarina) trees

Two-year old nectarine trees (Prunus persica, Batsch, var. nectarina, cv. Starkredgold on GF305 rootstock) planted in pots each received five applications of 1.0 g ¹⁵N labelled urea either from mid May to mid July (early uptake) or from mid August to the beginning of October (late uptake). All trees were supplied with a corresponding amount of unlabelled urea when they did not receive the labelled N. In autumn, all abscised leaves were collected and during winter randomly selected trees were harvested and divided into main organs. The remaining trees were transplanted into similar pots filled with sand; they received no N fertiliser and were harvested in May to evaluate the remobilisation of N. Total N and ¹⁵N abundance were determined in each organ. Nectarine trees took up similar amounts of N in the 'early' and in the 'late' period; however, more labelled nitrogen was recovered in the perennial organs during the winter when trees received the labelled N in the 'late' than in the 'early' period. Some 73–80% of the N present in the dormant trees was stored in the roots, which contained almost twice the amount of labelled N taken up 'late' than that absorbed 'early'. Nitrogen for spring growth was remobilised predominantly from the roots and accounted for some 43–49% of the labelled N recovered in the tree during winter. Results suggest that the nitrogen taken up 'late' in the season is preferentially stored in roots and used by peach trees to sustain new growth the following spring. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Behavioral analysis ofDrosophila mutants displaying abnormal male courtship

We describe six recessive autosomal male sterile mutations inDrosophila, generated by mobilization of single P-elements, exhibiting abnormal male courtship behavior. Detailed analysis of courtship behavior elicited by virgin wild type females indicated that five of the six mutants are affected in the early steps of courtship. The sixth mutant is blocked at the step of attempted copulation which occurs later in the courtship sequence. All of the mutants have normal olfactory responses and normal locomotor activity. No defect in the visual modality has been observed for the five mutants affected in the initiation of courtship. The mutant blocked at attempted copulation lacks the ‘on’ and ‘off’ transients, but this appears to be due to genetic background rather than the mutation itself. Abnormal spermatogenesis was observed in five of the mutants. Spermatogenic defects vary and include lesions in the proliferation of the germline, in meiosis, and in the differentiation and maturation of the spermatids into motile sperm.     

Dominance of legume trees alters nutrient relations in mixed species forest restoration plantings within seven years

Failures in reforestation are often attributed to nutrient limitation for tree growth. We compared tree performance and nitrogen and phosphorus relations in adjacent mixed-species plantings of contrasting composition, established for forest restoration on Ultisol soil, originally covered by tropical semi-deciduous Atlantic Forest in Southeast Brazil. Nutrient relations of four tree species occurring in both planting mixtures were compared between a legume-dominated, species-poor direct seeding mixture of early-successional species (“legume mixture”), and a species-diverse, legume-poor mixture of all successional groups (“diverse mixture”). After 7 years, the legume mixture had 6-fold higher abundance of N₂-fixing trees, 177% higher total tree basal area, 22% lower litter C/N, six-fold higher in situ soil resin-nitrate, and 40% lower in situ soil resin-P, compared to the diverse mixture. In the legume mixture, non-N₂-fixing legume Schizolobium parahyba (Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae) had significantly lower proportional N resorption, and both naturally regenerating non-legume trees had significantly higher leaf N concentrations, and higher proportional P resorption, than in the diverse mixture. This demonstrate forms of plastic adjustment in all three non-N₂-fixing species to diverged nutrient relations between mixtures. By contrast, leaf nutrient relations in N₂-fixing Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Fabaceae-Mimosoideae) did not respond to planting mixtures. Rapid N accumulation in the legume mixture caused excess soil nitrification over nitrate immobilization and tighter P recycling compared with the diverse mixture. The legume mixture succeeded in accelerating tree growth and canopy closure, but may imply periods of N losses and possibly P limitation. Incorporation of species with efficient nitrate uptake and P mobilization from resistant soil pools offers potential to optimize these tradeoffs.     

Productivity and nutrient uptake in a holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) stand and during regeneration after clearcut

The effect of clearcutting on biomass production and nutrient consumption was examined during the two years in a clearcut and a mature Quercus ilex L. coppice. The comparison was limited to the leaf compartment and to the annual shoots, which were the only comparable compartments in the two situations. At the same time, the dynamics of the nutrient pool (N, P, K, Ca, Mg), monthly uptake and recycling from the foliage, were studied.The second year after cutting, the leaf production was roughly the same at the two sites. However, the photosynthates appear to be used differently: in the young stand the perennial wood production was greater than in the mature stand, where the maintenance costs are higher. This is corroborated by the patterns of nutrient use.     

Development of ground vegetation biomass and nutrient pools in a clear-cut disc-plowed boreal forest

Nutrient leaching from forest substrate after clear-cutting and subsequent soil preparation is strongly influenced by the capacity of ground vegetation to sequester the released nutrients. We studied the rates and patterns of biomass and nutrient accumulation in ground vegetation growing on ridges, in furrows and on undisturbed surfaces for 2–5 years after disc-plowing in eastern Finland. The biomass of mosses on ridges remained significantly lower than that in furrows and on undisturbed surfaces. Field layer biomass on ridges and in furrows was significantly lower than on undisturbed surfaces throughout the study period. Field layer biomass increased more on ridges than in furrows. Root biomass on ridges and undisturbed surfaces was considerably higher than in furrows. Five years after disc-plowing, total biomass and nutrient pools for ridges (biomass 4,975 kg ha⁻¹, N 40 kg ha⁻¹, P 5 kg ha⁻¹, K 20 kg ha⁻¹ and Ca 18 kg ha⁻¹) and undisturbed surfaces (biomass 5,613 kg ha⁻¹, N 43 kg ha⁻¹, P 5 kg ha⁻¹, K 22 kg ha⁻¹ and Ca 18 kg ha⁻¹) were similar, but considerably lower for furrows (biomass 1,807 kg ha⁻¹, N 16 kg ha⁻¹, P 2 kg ha⁻¹, K 10 kg ha⁻¹ and Ca 6 kg ha⁻¹). Ridges covered 25% of the area, furrows 30 and 45% was undisturbed surfaces. Taking into account the proportion of each type of surface, values for the whole prepared clear-cut area were 4,312, 34, 4, 18 and 14 kg ha⁻¹ for biomass, N, P, K and Ca, respectively. Biomass and nutrient pools had not returned to uncut forest levels at the end of the 5-year study period. The results indicate that mosses and field layer vegetation respond differently to soil preparation, that the development of biomass on ridges, in furrows and on undisturbed surfaces proceeds at different rates, and that the biomass and nutrient uptake of ground vegetation remains below pre-site preparation levels for several years. However, ridges, which are known to be the most susceptible to leaching, revegetate rapidly. Responsible Editor: Tibor Kalapos.     

Dynamics of Nutrient Translocation in Stemwood across an Age Series of a Eucalyptus Hybrid

Despite the continuous nature of growth of eucalyptus hybridsin Congo, taper functions fitted to stem profiles of one clonethroughout stand development, combined with annual tree measurements,made it possible to locate accurately the position of annualrings in stems. Annual rings were identified on discs of woodsampled every 4 m in four trees cut from 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-,6- and 7-year-old stands. Chemical analysis, performed individuallyfor each ring per level and per tree sampled, made it possibleto quantify the changes in nutrient content of the rings duringstand development. Nutrient translocation in stemwood was thuscalculated in a stepwise manner between trees of two successiveages. The cumulated nutrient translocations in stemwood fromthe 1-year-old stage to the 6-year-old stage amounted to 18·5kg ha^-1N, 4·2 kg ha^-1P, 38·8 kg ha^-1K, 1·5kg ha^-1Ca and 3·2 kg ha^-1Mg. They represented 11, 18,121, 6, and 15% of the amounts of N, P, K, Ca and Mg accumulatedin stemwood, respectively, at the 7-year-old stage (loggingage). Negative translocations of N, P, Ca and Mg in stemwoodbetween 6 and 7 years might indicate an improvement in the nutritivestatus of the stand at the end of the rotation. Much translocationof K in stemwood suggests that this process might be involvedin the high use efficiency of this element. Copyright 2001 Annalsof Botany Company Translocation, stemwood, ring, nutrient, Eucalyptus, age series     

Shifts in plant nutrient use strategies under secondary forest succession

In evergreen broad-leaved forests (EBLFs) in Tiantong National Forest Park, Eastern China, we studied the soil chemistry and plant leaf nutrient concentration along a chronosequence of secondary forest succession. Soil total N, P and leaf N, P concentration of the most abundant plant species increased with forest succession. We further examined leaf lifespan, leaf nutrient characteristics and root–shoot attributes of Pinus massoniana Lamb, the early-successional species, Schima superba Gardn. et Champ, the mid-successional species, and Castanopsis fargesii Franch, the late-successional species. These species showed both intraspecific and interspecific variability along succession. Leaf N concentration of the three dominant species increased while N resorption tended to decrease with succession; leaf P and P resorption didn’t show a consistent trend along forest succession. Compared with the other two species, C. fargesii had the shortest leaf lifespan, largest decay rate and the highest taproot diameter to shoot base diameter ratio while P. massoniana had the highest root–shoot biomass ratio and taproot length to shoot height ratio. Overall, P. massoniana used ‘conservative consumption’ nutrient use strategy in the infertile soil conditions while C. fargesii took up nutrients in the way of ‘resource spending’ when nutrient supply increased. The attributes of S. superba were intermediate between the other two species, which may contribute to its coexistence with other species in a wide range of soil conditions.