Effects of P fertilization methods on growth and nutrient uptake of Vaccinium spp. seedlings

ObjectiveBy exploring the effects of phosphate fertilization methods on growth and nutrient uptake of Vaccinium spp., this study found out the suitable fertilization method for blueberry seedling cultivation, and provided theoretical and practical basis for scientific fertilization of Vaccinium spp.

MethodTwo-year-old‘Misty’ was taken as test object. By means of completely randomized design, we set up four fertilization methods, including single fertilization (DF), linear fertilization (LF), average fertilization (AF) and exponential fertilization (EF), whereas no fertilization provided as control (CK). Employing principal component analysis, the best P fertilization method was comprehensively evaluated on the basis of morphological indexes, physiological indexes of leaves and soil physicochemical properties compared with the control.

ResultThe results showed that the length growth of basal branches, dry mass of 100 leaves, leaf areas, the number of basal branches and crown width could be enhanced remarkably under all the fertilization methods; the content of P, K, soluble sugar, soluble protein, phenols and chlorophyll in leaves were also increased. The total nitrogen, total potassium, nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, available potassium and pH were lower than CK in the soil, whereas the total phosphorus, available phosphorus, organic matters and EC were higher than CK. The effects of exponential fertilization were the most obvious on the length of Vaccinium spp. basal branches, diameter of basal branches, dry mass of 100 leaves, leaf areas, number of basal branches, crown width, leaf K content, soluble protein content, phenols content, chlorophyll content of leaves, and available potassium, organic matters and pH in the soil. Straight fertilization was proved to be the best method for N content in the leaves than other treatments. Meanwhile, the leaf phosphorus contents of exponential fertilization and average fertilization were more stable than other treatments.

ConclusionAltogether, the effects of different P fertilization methods on the growth of Vaccinium spp. are as follows: EF > AF > DF > LF > CK. These data indicate that the fertilization treatments can promote the growth of Vaccinium spp. and the most effective fertilization method is exponential fertilization.