Fertilization Improves the Yield of <i>Sapindus saponaria</i> by Affecting Leaf–Soil–Microbial C–N–P Content and Stoichiometry
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilization ratios on the carbon (C), N, and P contents and their ecological stoichiometric characteristics in the leaf–soil–microbial system of <i>Sapindus saponaria</i>...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Plants |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/9/1360 |
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| Summary: | The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilization ratios on the carbon (C), N, and P contents and their ecological stoichiometric characteristics in the leaf–soil–microbial system of <i>Sapindus saponaria</i> and elucidate their relationship with yield. A “3414” experimental design was employed in a 6-year-old <i>Sapindus saponaria</i> woodland located in Fujian Province of China. Fourteen N–P–K fertilization treatments with three replicates were established. Leaf, soil, and microbial samples were collected and analyzed for C, N, and P contents. Redundancy Analysis (RDA), Partial Least Squares Path Modeling (PLS–PM), and the entropy-weighted technique of ranking preferences by similarity to optimal solutions (TOPSIS) were utilized to assess the relationships among variables and determine optimal fertilization strategies. It was found through research that different fertilization treatment methods have a significant impact on both the soil nutrient content and the C, N, and P contents of soil microorganisms. Compared with the control group, soil organic C, total N, and total P, and microbial C, N, and P contents increased by 14.25% to 52.61%, 3.90% to 39.84%, 9.52% to 150%, 6.65% to 47.45%, 11.84% to 46.50%, and 14.91% to 201.98%, respectively. Results from Redundancy Analysis (RDA) indicated that soil organic C, total N, and total P exerted a significant influence on the leaf nutrients. PLS-PM demonstrated that fertilization indirectly affected leaf nutrient accumulation and yield by altering soil properties, with soil total phosphorus and leaf phosphorus being key determinants of yield. Additionally, soil microbial entropy impacted yield by regulating microbial biomass stoichiometric ratios. The entropy-weighted TOPSIS model identified the N<sub>2</sub>P<sub>2</sub>K<sub>2</sub> treatment (600 kg/ha N, 500 kg/ha P, and 400 kg/ha K) as the most effective fertilization strategy. Optimizing N–P–K fertilization ratios significantly enhances leaf nutrient content and soil microbial biomass C, N, and P, thereby increasing <i>Sapindus saponaria</i> yield. This research clarifies the underlying mechanisms through which fertilization exerts an impact on the C–N–P stoichiometry within the leaf–soil–microbial system. Moreover, it furnishes a scientific foundation for the optimization of fertilization management strategies in <i>Sapindus saponaria</i> plantations. |
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| ISSN: | 2223-7747 |