The growth and nutrient dynamic properties of spring shoot leaves in mature Camellia oleifera forests under various short-cut pruning techniques were examined in this study.
Xiajiang County forest seed farm, Shuibian Town, Xiajiang County, Ji'an City, Jiangxi Province was the location of the experimental site. For Camellia oleifera No.53, a 14-year-old growth forest in this location, five different short-cut pruning treatments were established: [45° no stubble (D-X0), 45° stubble 1 cm (D-X1), 90° no stubble (D-P0), 90° stubble 1 cm (D-P1), control group without pruning (D-CK)]. During the spring shoot growth stage, the effects of various pruning techniques on leaf growth characteristics, nutritional components, and non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) content were investigated.
1) Significant morphological differences were observed in spring shoots and leaves under different short-cutting treatments, with the D-X0 treatment yielding the most pronounced effects. Regarding nutrient patterns, the nitrogen (N) levels significantly increased under D-X0, D-X1, and D-P1 treatments, while the phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) showed varying degrees of increase across all pruning methods. Trace elements exhibited distinct patterns across short-cutting treatments; the NSC showed an accumulative trend under all short-cutting methods; 2) In terms of temporal dynamics, the morphological indexes of spring shoot showed a rapid growth trend from the 10th to the 30th day and then slowed down; the concentrations of macronutrients, magnesiumMg) and iron (Fe) all followed a patern of initially decreasing and then increasing, and the content valley value was at the 30th. The calcium (Ca) content continued to climb, the copper (Cu) content exhibited a declining trend, while the zinc (Zn) content first dropped rapidly before leveling out; and the NSC showed an initial rise followed by a decline, the content peaked on the 30th under each reatment; 3) Structural equation modeling (SEM) indicates that the D-X0 treatment exerts a positive influence on leaf growth traits via the macronutrients and NSC in the leaves.
D-X0 treatment favorably regulated leaf growth through macroelements and NSC, and it had the most stimulating influence on leaf growth features, macroelements, and NSC accumulation. Additionally, there were notable temporal dynamics in the development of spring shoots and nutrients, with the 30th day serving as the critical time node.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |