Integrative analyses of morpho-physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic reveal the seedling growth response of Pinus yunnanensis to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization

Appropriate nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization is critical for plant growth and production. Pinus yunnanensis, a silvicultural tree in southwestern China, faces economic and ecological limitations due to nutrient deficiency in the soils in its distribution areas. The slow growth of this s...

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Main Authors: Junfei Xu, Xiyan Li, Shi Chen, Lin Chen, Junrong Tang, Peizhen Chen, Nianhui Cai, Yulan Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-01-01
Series:Frontiers in Plant Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1405638/full
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author Junfei Xu
Junfei Xu
Xiyan Li
Shi Chen
Shi Chen
Lin Chen
Lin Chen
Junrong Tang
Junrong Tang
Peizhen Chen
Peizhen Chen
Nianhui Cai
Nianhui Cai
Yulan Xu
Yulan Xu
author_facet Junfei Xu
Junfei Xu
Xiyan Li
Shi Chen
Shi Chen
Lin Chen
Lin Chen
Junrong Tang
Junrong Tang
Peizhen Chen
Peizhen Chen
Nianhui Cai
Nianhui Cai
Yulan Xu
Yulan Xu
author_sort Junfei Xu
collection DOAJ
description Appropriate nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization is critical for plant growth and production. Pinus yunnanensis, a silvicultural tree in southwestern China, faces economic and ecological limitations due to nutrient deficiency in the soils in its distribution areas. The slow growth of this species during the seedling stage exacerbates these problems. Therefore, it is important to realize the regulating effects of N and P proportioning fertilization on seedling growth to enhance nutrient-use efficiency. In this study, variations in morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics of seedlings were analyzed under nine treatments of NP proportioning in an open nursery using a regression design. Growth in height and basal diameter increased and showed an approximate tendency in all treatments. The maximum biomass accumulation was observed at 480 d after treatment in roots of T5 (14.714 g) (application N 0.4 g·per−1 and P 3 g·per−1), stems of T5 (12.654 g), leaves of T9 (24.261 g) (application N 0.8 g·per−1 and P 6 g·per−1), aboveground parts of T9 (35.402 g) and individuals of T5 (49 g). The total chlorophyll content peaked in the leaves at 120 d and was correlated with the peak levels of N, P, and K in leaves. The content and reserves of nutrient elements in the organs of seedlings subjected to NP proportioning were significantly higher than those in unfertilized seedlings. Analysis of nutrient utilization efficiency revealed that T5 demonstrated superior seedling growth performance. Appropriate fertilization dosage of N and P for P. yunnanensis seedlings in this study was 0.32 g·per−1–0.58 g·per−1 and 3.02 g·per−1–4.95 g·per−1 respectively, using path analysis and regression equation. Transcriptomic sequencing revealed that there were 2,301 DEGs between T5 and T1 (control), which were involved in the uptake and assimilation of nutrients, biosynthesis of phytohormones and secondary metabolites, and photosynthesis. Additionally, the abundance of genes involved in cell division and proliferation, cellulose biosynthesis, and cell wall extension were dramatically upregulated, which potentially correlated with enhanced seedling growth. In conclusion, this study provides comprehensive information on the response of seedlings to varying proportions of N and P and may promote the growth of P. yunnanensis seedlings by optimizing the proportion of N and P in fertilizers.
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spelling doaj-art-cae68def9fa046f48f849bf1ed3728552025-01-27T06:40:17ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2025-01-011510.3389/fpls.2024.14056381405638Integrative analyses of morpho-physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic reveal the seedling growth response of Pinus yunnanensis to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizationJunfei Xu0Junfei Xu1Xiyan Li2Shi Chen3Shi Chen4Lin Chen5Lin Chen6Junrong Tang7Junrong Tang8Peizhen Chen9Peizhen Chen10Nianhui Cai11Nianhui Cai12Yulan Xu13Yulan Xu14Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Biodiversity Conservation in Southwest China, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaThe Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaTechnology Promotion Department, Kunming Station of Forestry and Grassland Science and Technology Promotion, Kunming, ChinaKey Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Biodiversity Conservation in Southwest China, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaThe Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaKey Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Biodiversity Conservation in Southwest China, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaThe Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaKey Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Biodiversity Conservation in Southwest China, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaThe Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaKey Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Biodiversity Conservation in Southwest China, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaThe Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaKey Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Biodiversity Conservation in Southwest China, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaThe Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaKey Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Biodiversity Conservation in Southwest China, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaThe Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, ChinaAppropriate nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization is critical for plant growth and production. Pinus yunnanensis, a silvicultural tree in southwestern China, faces economic and ecological limitations due to nutrient deficiency in the soils in its distribution areas. The slow growth of this species during the seedling stage exacerbates these problems. Therefore, it is important to realize the regulating effects of N and P proportioning fertilization on seedling growth to enhance nutrient-use efficiency. In this study, variations in morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics of seedlings were analyzed under nine treatments of NP proportioning in an open nursery using a regression design. Growth in height and basal diameter increased and showed an approximate tendency in all treatments. The maximum biomass accumulation was observed at 480 d after treatment in roots of T5 (14.714 g) (application N 0.4 g·per−1 and P 3 g·per−1), stems of T5 (12.654 g), leaves of T9 (24.261 g) (application N 0.8 g·per−1 and P 6 g·per−1), aboveground parts of T9 (35.402 g) and individuals of T5 (49 g). The total chlorophyll content peaked in the leaves at 120 d and was correlated with the peak levels of N, P, and K in leaves. The content and reserves of nutrient elements in the organs of seedlings subjected to NP proportioning were significantly higher than those in unfertilized seedlings. Analysis of nutrient utilization efficiency revealed that T5 demonstrated superior seedling growth performance. Appropriate fertilization dosage of N and P for P. yunnanensis seedlings in this study was 0.32 g·per−1–0.58 g·per−1 and 3.02 g·per−1–4.95 g·per−1 respectively, using path analysis and regression equation. Transcriptomic sequencing revealed that there were 2,301 DEGs between T5 and T1 (control), which were involved in the uptake and assimilation of nutrients, biosynthesis of phytohormones and secondary metabolites, and photosynthesis. Additionally, the abundance of genes involved in cell division and proliferation, cellulose biosynthesis, and cell wall extension were dramatically upregulated, which potentially correlated with enhanced seedling growth. In conclusion, this study provides comprehensive information on the response of seedlings to varying proportions of N and P and may promote the growth of P. yunnanensis seedlings by optimizing the proportion of N and P in fertilizers.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1405638/fullPinus yunnanensisproportioning fertilizationgrowthbiomasschlorophyllnutrient element
spellingShingle Junfei Xu
Junfei Xu
Xiyan Li
Shi Chen
Shi Chen
Lin Chen
Lin Chen
Junrong Tang
Junrong Tang
Peizhen Chen
Peizhen Chen
Nianhui Cai
Nianhui Cai
Yulan Xu
Yulan Xu
Integrative analyses of morpho-physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic reveal the seedling growth response of Pinus yunnanensis to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization
Frontiers in Plant Science
Pinus yunnanensis
proportioning fertilization
growth
biomass
chlorophyll
nutrient element
title Integrative analyses of morpho-physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic reveal the seedling growth response of Pinus yunnanensis to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization
title_full Integrative analyses of morpho-physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic reveal the seedling growth response of Pinus yunnanensis to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization
title_fullStr Integrative analyses of morpho-physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic reveal the seedling growth response of Pinus yunnanensis to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization
title_full_unstemmed Integrative analyses of morpho-physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic reveal the seedling growth response of Pinus yunnanensis to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization
title_short Integrative analyses of morpho-physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic reveal the seedling growth response of Pinus yunnanensis to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization
title_sort integrative analyses of morpho physiological biochemical and transcriptomic reveal the seedling growth response of pinus yunnanensis to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization
topic Pinus yunnanensis
proportioning fertilization
growth
biomass
chlorophyll
nutrient element
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1405638/full
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