Growth, carbon and nitrogen status of container grown black pine (Pinus thunbergii) seedlings at various levels of foliar fertilization

Abstract

The growth, carbon and nitrogen status of container grown black pine (Pinus thunbergii) seedlings were examined at various levels of foliar fertilization (control, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%). Root collar diameter, height and dry weight of black pine seedlings increased significantly with increasing levels of foliar fertilization (P<0.05). Carbon concentration in needle of black pine seedlings was significantly higher in the foliar fertilization than in the control treatments (P<0.05), while other seedling components such as stem and roots were not significantly different (P>0.05) between the foliar fertilization and the control treatments. Nitrogen concentration and content were significantly greater in the foliar fertilization than in the control treatments (P<0.05). Shoot/root ratio of black pine seedlings (needle+stem dry weight/root dry weight) was greater in the foliar fertilization (2.40-2.89) than in the control treatments (1.87). However, nitrogen use efficiency was significantly lower (P<0.05) in the foliar fertilization (28-46) than in the control (111) treatments. The results indicate that morphological characteristics and nutritional status on container grown black pine seedlings were enhanced by various levels of foliar fertilization.