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Growth and mineral nutrient analysis of teak (Tectona grandis) grown on acidic soils in south China

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Abstract

Teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) is widely planted in the world due to its high market demand, economic, ecological and social value. Its plantations have mostly been established and expanded into sites that are acidic to severely acidic in southern China. But, there are no available and specific evidence-based nutrient management techniques. To better recognize and understand the relationship between teak tree growth and nutrient content in the foliage and soil and establish nutrient norms are critical to optimally manage these young plantations. We studied the foliar nutrient and soil chemistry in 19 representative teak plantations aged 5–8 years. Regression analysis indicated that the mean annual increment of teak volume was linearly and positively correlated with foliar N, Ca, Fe and B concentrations, with soil base saturation percentage, available P and Zn concentrations, and negatively correlated with soil Al concentration. Only if the Ca and Mg contents in soil were enhanced, could the increase in soil base saturation percentage benefit teak growth. A revised classification of low-and high-yielding stands was established by using a sorting method of principal components over 6 foliar macro and 8 micro elements in a Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS). Specific DRIS norms for teak plantations in acid soils were derived. The nutrient balance of N, P, K Ca, Mg, Zn, B with Fe or Al, Ca with Mg, and Fe with Al provided a key to promote the growth of teak in acid soils. Meanwhile, soil Zn was also found as a primary trace element that affected teak growth in this study.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are greatly indebted to Prof. Khongsak Pinyopusarerk, Black Mountain Laboratories, CSIRO Plant Industry, Australia, and Prof. Zhong Chonglu, Research Institute of Tropical Forestry, Chinese Academy Forestry, for their valuable comments on an earlier version of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Institute of Tropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Longdong, Guangzhou, 510520, People’s Republic of China

    Zaizhi Zhou, Shichao Liu, Kunnan Liang, Huaming Ma & Guihua Huang

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  1. Zaizhi Zhou
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  2. Shichao Liu
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  3. Kunnan Liang
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  4. Huaming Ma
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  5. Guihua Huang
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zaizhi Zhou.

Additional information

Project funding: This research was funded by the research and demonstration project of teak cultivation of the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (2012BAD21B01).

The online version is available at http://www.springerlink.com

Corresponding editor: Zhu Hong.

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Zhou, Z., Liu, S., Liang, K. et al. Growth and mineral nutrient analysis of teak (Tectona grandis) grown on acidic soils in south China. J. For. Res. 28, 503–511 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-016-0324-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-016-0324-0

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