Nutrient recycling and utilization of Torreya grandis ‘Merrillii’ along an age gradient

IntroductionThe intrinsic relationships among plants, litter, and soil nutrient characteristics, along with the responses of ecological stoichiometry to nutrient utilization, are critical for understanding the mechanisms of nutrient cycling. However, limited research in this area has constrained our...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Aifei Fan, Songheng Jin, Yangzhou Tan, Weiwei Huan, Wenjing Chen, Xiaoyu Wang, Yini Han
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Plant Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1566140/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850197621085306880
author Aifei Fan
Aifei Fan
Songheng Jin
Yangzhou Tan
Yangzhou Tan
Weiwei Huan
Wenjing Chen
Xiaoyu Wang
Yini Han
author_facet Aifei Fan
Aifei Fan
Songheng Jin
Yangzhou Tan
Yangzhou Tan
Weiwei Huan
Wenjing Chen
Xiaoyu Wang
Yini Han
author_sort Aifei Fan
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionThe intrinsic relationships among plants, litter, and soil nutrient characteristics, along with the responses of ecological stoichiometry to nutrient utilization, are critical for understanding the mechanisms of nutrient cycling. However, limited research in this area has constrained our comprehension of nutrient dynamics within ecosystems.MethodsTo investigate the stoichiometric characteristics and nutrient resorption traits of Torreya grandis plantations across various stand ages, as well as their adaptive strategies and nutrient utilization mechanisms under local growth conditions, we conducted a study in the T. grandis Forest Park. This study examined five stand age groups: young (20 years), near-mature (50 years), mature (80 years), over-mature (100 years), and thousand (1,000 years). We measured the nutrient contents of soil, fresh leaves, and litterfall, and analyzed their stoichiometric relationships and nutrient resorption characteristics.Results1.The growth of T. grandis plantations was primarily limited by nitrogen (N) during the early stages, transitioning to phosphorus (P) limitation with increasing stand age, particularly in the over-mature stage. High C:N and C:P ratios in leaves indicated low N and P use efficiency. 2.Leaf nutrient concentrations remained relatively stable across different stand ages, whereas nutrient concentrations in litterfall gradually declined, indicating an increase in nutrient cycling efficiency. Meanwhile, soil nutrient accumulation showed a gradual increase with stand development. T. grandis exhibited distinct nutrient resorption strategies at different stand ages: phosphorus resorption efficiency (PRE) was higher in young stands, whereas nitrogen resorption efficiency (NRE) significantly increased in mature and over-mature stands. Furthermore, this nutrient allocation mechanism influenced the nutritional content of T. grandis seeds, highlighting the significant impact of stand age on seed quality. 3.The nutrient characteristics of T. grandis plantations are influenced by both stand age and soil nutrient availability.Management practices should prioritize the supplementation of soil nutrients, particularly P, and the enhancement of nutrient cycling efficiency.DiscussionThis study offers a scientific foundation for the sustainable management and production of T. grandis plantations in the region, highlighting the importance of targeted soil nutrient management to improve ecosystem productivity and sustainability.
format Article
id doaj-art-fd616d7f5ba249b794c8db61e7f3e15d
institution OA Journals
issn 1664-462X
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Plant Science
spelling doaj-art-fd616d7f5ba249b794c8db61e7f3e15d2025-08-20T02:13:06ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2025-04-011610.3389/fpls.2025.15661401566140Nutrient recycling and utilization of Torreya grandis ‘Merrillii’ along an age gradientAifei Fan0Aifei Fan1Songheng Jin2Yangzhou Tan3Yangzhou Tan4Weiwei Huan5Wenjing Chen6Xiaoyu Wang7Yini Han8Jiyang College, Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, ChinaSchool of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, ChinaJiyang College, Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, ChinaJiyang College, Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, ChinaSchool of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, ChinaSchool of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, ChinaSchool of Art and Design, Nanjing Vocational University of Industry Technology, Nanjing, ChinaJiyang College, Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, ChinaJiyang College, Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, ChinaIntroductionThe intrinsic relationships among plants, litter, and soil nutrient characteristics, along with the responses of ecological stoichiometry to nutrient utilization, are critical for understanding the mechanisms of nutrient cycling. However, limited research in this area has constrained our comprehension of nutrient dynamics within ecosystems.MethodsTo investigate the stoichiometric characteristics and nutrient resorption traits of Torreya grandis plantations across various stand ages, as well as their adaptive strategies and nutrient utilization mechanisms under local growth conditions, we conducted a study in the T. grandis Forest Park. This study examined five stand age groups: young (20 years), near-mature (50 years), mature (80 years), over-mature (100 years), and thousand (1,000 years). We measured the nutrient contents of soil, fresh leaves, and litterfall, and analyzed their stoichiometric relationships and nutrient resorption characteristics.Results1.The growth of T. grandis plantations was primarily limited by nitrogen (N) during the early stages, transitioning to phosphorus (P) limitation with increasing stand age, particularly in the over-mature stage. High C:N and C:P ratios in leaves indicated low N and P use efficiency. 2.Leaf nutrient concentrations remained relatively stable across different stand ages, whereas nutrient concentrations in litterfall gradually declined, indicating an increase in nutrient cycling efficiency. Meanwhile, soil nutrient accumulation showed a gradual increase with stand development. T. grandis exhibited distinct nutrient resorption strategies at different stand ages: phosphorus resorption efficiency (PRE) was higher in young stands, whereas nitrogen resorption efficiency (NRE) significantly increased in mature and over-mature stands. Furthermore, this nutrient allocation mechanism influenced the nutritional content of T. grandis seeds, highlighting the significant impact of stand age on seed quality. 3.The nutrient characteristics of T. grandis plantations are influenced by both stand age and soil nutrient availability.Management practices should prioritize the supplementation of soil nutrients, particularly P, and the enhancement of nutrient cycling efficiency.DiscussionThis study offers a scientific foundation for the sustainable management and production of T. grandis plantations in the region, highlighting the importance of targeted soil nutrient management to improve ecosystem productivity and sustainability.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1566140/fullstand ageTorreya grandisstoichiometrynutrient resorptionnutrient recycling
spellingShingle Aifei Fan
Aifei Fan
Songheng Jin
Yangzhou Tan
Yangzhou Tan
Weiwei Huan
Wenjing Chen
Xiaoyu Wang
Yini Han
Nutrient recycling and utilization of Torreya grandis ‘Merrillii’ along an age gradient
Frontiers in Plant Science
stand age
Torreya grandis
stoichiometry
nutrient resorption
nutrient recycling
title Nutrient recycling and utilization of Torreya grandis ‘Merrillii’ along an age gradient
title_full Nutrient recycling and utilization of Torreya grandis ‘Merrillii’ along an age gradient
title_fullStr Nutrient recycling and utilization of Torreya grandis ‘Merrillii’ along an age gradient
title_full_unstemmed Nutrient recycling and utilization of Torreya grandis ‘Merrillii’ along an age gradient
title_short Nutrient recycling and utilization of Torreya grandis ‘Merrillii’ along an age gradient
title_sort nutrient recycling and utilization of torreya grandis merrillii along an age gradient
topic stand age
Torreya grandis
stoichiometry
nutrient resorption
nutrient recycling
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1566140/full
work_keys_str_mv AT aifeifan nutrientrecyclingandutilizationoftorreyagrandismerrilliialonganagegradient
AT aifeifan nutrientrecyclingandutilizationoftorreyagrandismerrilliialonganagegradient
AT songhengjin nutrientrecyclingandutilizationoftorreyagrandismerrilliialonganagegradient
AT yangzhoutan nutrientrecyclingandutilizationoftorreyagrandismerrilliialonganagegradient
AT yangzhoutan nutrientrecyclingandutilizationoftorreyagrandismerrilliialonganagegradient
AT weiweihuan nutrientrecyclingandutilizationoftorreyagrandismerrilliialonganagegradient
AT wenjingchen nutrientrecyclingandutilizationoftorreyagrandismerrilliialonganagegradient
AT xiaoyuwang nutrientrecyclingandutilizationoftorreyagrandismerrilliialonganagegradient
AT yinihan nutrientrecyclingandutilizationoftorreyagrandismerrilliialonganagegradient