Effects soil penetration resistance on Acer velutinum Boiss. seedlings; responses of biomass and architecture

Severe soil compaction typically decreases absorption by roots of major mineral nutrients, especially N, P and K. Experiments on tree seedling growth conducted in the field and on cores of severely compacted forest soils clearly show that soil compaction adversely affects stand regeneration by inhibiting seed germination and seedling growth and by inducing seedling mortality. In general, at the whole plant level, it is assumed that soil compaction negatively affects investment in root growth, due to the resistance of the substrate to penetration. This study used a soil strength experiment in a greenhouse to test the hypotheses that increasing soil strength would adversely affect seedling morphology and alter seedling architecture by changing biomass allocation patterns. All of the biomass variables of A. velutinum decreased significantly with increasing SPR as negative quadratic shape with the exception of lateral root biomass that decreased slowly to the moderate compaction treatment, then with increasing compaction to very high treatment, significantly increased as quadratic curves. Strong adverse effects already followed the moderate to very high intensity compaction treatment and critical soil strength threshold was observed in 1.1 MPa soil strength.

Effects soil penetration resistance on Acer velutinum Boiss. seedlings; responses of biomass and architecture Keywords:

Velvet maple , soil compaction , biomass , allocation ratios