Growth and nutrient characteristics of Pinus massoniana in a Southern red soil

Abstract The aim of the present study was to provide a reference that could facilitate vegetation restoration activities in Southern red soil regions of China. We investigated the growth and nutrient characteristics of Pinus massoniana. We measured plant heights and diameters at breast height and collected organ samples in three plots in Huangnikeng in Zhuotian Town, Changting County, Fujian Province. There were mostly positive correlations among all Pinus massoniana growth indices, although the correlation between plant height and leaf biomass was negative. Conversely, nutrient concentrations among Pinus massoniana bark, trunk, leaves, branches, and roots differed greatly. The C concentrations of various Pinus massoniana organs were ranked as leaves > bark > branches > trunks > roots; N concentrations, leaves > roots > branches > bark > trunks; P concentrations, leaves > roots > branches > bark > trunk; and K concentrations, roots > leaves > bark > branches > trunk. C:N, C:P, C:K, and N:P were significantly different in different Pinus massoniana organs. The results suggest that the biomass of each organ in Pinus massoniana decreased in the order of trunk, branch, roots, and leaves, and the nutrient concentrations decreased in the order of leaves, roots, bark, branch, and trunk.