ObjectiveThis study analyzed the characteristics of mineral elements in Vaccinium uliginosum and its associated plants (Betula fruticosa and Ledum palustre) in Daxing’an Mountains of northeastern China and studied the correlations between mineral elements in leaves, roots and soil fertility factors in root layer, then screened out the main influencing factors, arming to clarify the relationship between mineral element content and soil fertility factors between V. uliginosum and its associated plants, which provides a theoretical basis for rational breeding and management of V. uliginosum and its associated plants.

MethodThrough the analysis of variance, canonical correlation analysis and the establishment of regression equation, the study probe into three site types (meadow bog with soil layer, meadow bog permafrost soil layer and mountain land) in Daxing’an Mountains to research the difference of mineral element content in the associated plants of V. uliginosum and its correlation with soil fertility factors.

Result(1) The results showed that site conditions mainly affected the contents of K, Fe, Mn, Zn and N, P, Mg in roots of Betula fruticose and P, Ca, Mg, Mn, K in leaves including N, Fe in roots of Ledum palustre. There were significant differences in element content under different site conditions. (2) The relationship between mineral elements in plant leaves and roots is as follows: V. uliginosum > Ledum palustre > Betula fruticose. There was significant difference in the ratio of mineral elements in leaves to roots between V. uliginosum and its associated plants (P < 0.05), which indicated that the utilization efficiency of mineral elements between V. uliginosum and associated plants was different. (3) Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the main soil fertility factors affecting mineral elements content of Ledumpalustre and Betula fruticose was pH, and the contents of other elements increased with the decrease of pH except Mn in leaves of Betula fruticose. The soil factors affecting the mineral element content of Betula fruticose were available Zn and soil organic matter, and its leaves were also affected by soil nitrate N and available Cu. The soil fertility factors affecting the mineral element content of Ledum palustre were available P and available Cu.

ConclusionThe mineral element contents of Betula fruticose and Ledum palustre, which the associated plants of V. uliginosum differed greatly under different site conditions. There was a significant correlation with soil fertility factors, and it was mainly affected by soil pH and available Cu content. There was a weak correlation between the ratio of mineral elements in leaves and roots of associated plants. Compared with V. uliginosum, its associated plants were more affected by environment.