TY  - EJOU
AU  - Bai, Longlong 
AU  - Zhang, Yong 
AU  - Wang, Min 
AU  - He, Ying 
AU  - Ye, Tao 
AU  - Zhao, Keli 

TI  - Spatial Heterogeneity of Selected Soil Nutrients Related to <i>Torreya grandis</i> cv. <i>Merrillii</i> Plantation in Southeastern China
T2  - Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany

PY  - 2022
VL  - 91
IS  - 10
SN  - 1851-5657

AB  - Chinese <i>Torreya grandis</i> (<i>Torreya grandis</i> cv. <i>Merrillii</i>) is a unique economic tree species in China. Intensive management related to application of chemical fertilizer and herbicides caused serious soil quality degradation of Chinese <i>Torreya grandis</i> plantations. Totally, 120 soil samples were collected from the main disbtributed areas of Chinese <i>Torreya grandis</i> in Southeastern China. In this area, soil pH values varied from 3.68 to 6.78, with a median value of 4.91, implying a trend of acidification. The average concentrations of organic matter, available nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium were 27.52 g kg<sup>−1</sup>, 135.77 mg kg<sup>−1</sup>, 15.12 mg kg<sup>−1</sup>, and 153.43 mg kg<sup>−1</sup>, respectively. The results of spatial analysis revealed that target variables had clear spatial patterns. The soil fertility was relevantly high in most of the study area, with soil nutrient imbalances existing. The stand age had a large effect on soil properties, which were also mainly influenced by human activities. Therefore, it is necessary to change the fertilization method for a sustainable management of <i>Torreya grandis</i> plantation.
KW  - <i>Torreya grandis</i> cv. <i>Merrillii</i>; soil nutrients; geostatistics; Moran’s I; evaluation for soil fertility

DO  - 10.32604/phyton.2022.021422