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Genetic variations in root morphology and phosphorus efficiency of Pinus massoniana under heterogeneous and homogeneous low phosphorus conditions

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Abstract

Background and aims

The vertical distribution of available phosphorus (P) in the soil is usually heterogeneous with soil depth. However, little is known about the P efficiency of conifer species under vertically heterogeneous low-P conditions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the genetic variations in growth traits and P efficiency of Pinus massoniana, under heterogeneous and homogeneous low-P conditions.

Methods

Pot experiments consisting of low-P (a low P level in all soil layers), layered-P (a high P level in the topsoil and a low P level in the bottom soil), and high-P (high P levels in all soil layers) conditions were designed and conducted. Three-way ANOVA was used to investigate genetic variations in P efficiency and the major growth traits under these three types of P conditions.

Results

There were substantial genetic variations in the major growth traits, including tree height, stem diameter and seedling dry weight, under both heterogeneous and homogeneous low-P conditions. The heritability for major growth traits was high under both types of low-P condition. Moreover, there were significant genotype × P interaction effects for growth parameters.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that it may be possible to select Masson pine genotypes with high P efficiency and productivity. The significant genotype × environment interactions should be exploited in breeding, and genotypes showing specific adaptations to certain nutrient environments should be bred and used within that environment.

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Abbreviations

R/S:

The ratio of root dry weight to above-ground dry weight

DW:

Dry weight (g)

RL:

Root length (cm)

RSA:

Root surface area (cm2)

SRL:

Specific root length

RD:

Root density

AVD:

Average root diameter (mm)

P UE:

Phosphorus utilization efficiency (g/mg)

CVA :

Coefficient of additive genetic variation (%)

h 2 :

Heritability

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Acknowledgments

We thank the editor and anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments on the earlier version of this manuscript. We thank members of the Forest Breeding Group of the Research Institute of Subtropical Forestry for discussion, encouragement, and assistance in the pot measurements. This research was supported by a research project from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31070599), the National Key Technology R&D Program in the 12th Five year Plan of China (2012BAD01B02) and the Hi-Tech Research and Development Program (“863” Program) (2011AA100203).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Daqiao road, 73#, Fu Yang, Zhe Jiang, People’s Republic of China

    Yi Zhang, Zhichun Zhou & Qing Yang

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  1. Yi Zhang
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  2. Zhichun Zhou
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  3. Qing Yang
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Correspondence to Yi Zhang.

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Responsible Editor: Alain Pierret.

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Zhang, Y., Zhou, Z. & Yang, Q. Genetic variations in root morphology and phosphorus efficiency of Pinus massoniana under heterogeneous and homogeneous low phosphorus conditions. Plant Soil 364, 93–104 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-012-1352-y

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