Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers on vegetation restoration in the towers of the power transmission and transformation project in the Horqin Sandy Land
[Background]The Horqin Sandy is characterized by its fragile ecosystem and high susceptibility to desertification,exacerbated by human activities such as infrastructure development.The construction of transmission towers in this region has disturbed the local environment,making soil and vegetation restoration a challenge.Previous studies have shown that nutrient supplementation,particularly nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers,can play a crucial role in promoting plant growth in degraded lands.However,the effectiveness of these fertilizers in restoring vegetation in sandy,nutrient-poor soils like those in the Horqin Sandy remains unclear.[Methods]In order to investigate the effects and mechanisms of fertilizer application ways and dosage on vegetation restoration at the tower base of the transmission line in eastern Inner Mongolia,the experiment selected seeds of three herbaceous plant species:Medicago sativa,Elymus nutans,and Leymus chinensis.Three nitrogen levels(0,100,and 160 kg/hm2)and three phosphorus levels(0,120,and 180 kg/hm2)were set for the fertilization treatments.The aboveground and belowground biomass of the plants as well as the specific root length,diameter,tissue density,and nitrogen and phosphorus content of the roots were measured.We further analyzed the effect of root changes on plant biomass.[Results]1)The combined application of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers was more beneficial for the aboveground and belowground growth of the three plant species.However,the responds of each species to the application rates of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers were different.The optimal nitrogen and phosphorus application rates for M.sativa growth were 100 and 180 kg/hm2 respectively.The optimal nitrogen and phosphorus application rates for E.nutans growth were 160 and 120 kg/hm2 respectively.The optimal nitrogen and phosphorus application rates for L.chinensis growth were 100 and 120 kg/hm2 respectively.2)According to the structural equation model,fertilization primarily affected belowground biomass by regulating root traits,such as specific root length,nitrogen content,and phosphorus content,thereby influencing aboveground biomass.[Conclusions]Therefore,during the fertilization process,it is crucial to pay more attention to root-related traits of the plants.This research may provide theoretical and technical references for the rapid restoration of vegetation in the ecologically fragile areas of the power transmission line project in eastern Inner Mongolia.
transmission line projectvegetation recoveryfertilizationrootplant growth
万方数据
维普
