Effects of Shade and Planting Methods on the Growth of Heracleum moellendorffii and Adenophora divaricata in Different Soil Moisture and Nutrient Conditions.

Woo Bin Youn,Jonathan Ogayon Hernandez,Byung Bae Park

doi:10.3390/plants10102203

Woo Bin Youn, Jonathan Ogayon Hernandez + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10102203

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Abstract

In this study, the interacting effects of shade and planting methods on the growth and competitive ability of two understory plants Heracleum moellendorffii Hance and Adenophora divaricata Franch. & Sav. were investigated under different soil moisture and nutrient conditions. One-year-old seedlings were subjected to different light levels (0%, 35%, and 55% shade) and planting methods (monoculture and mixed) under contrasting soil moisture (1.2 L/m2 and 2.3 L/m2 of water) and soil nutrient conditions (unfertilized and fertilized). Here, shading significantly improved the height growth of H. moellendorffii (10–20 cm increase) in unfertilized and fertilized plots and at high soil moisture conditions. Contrarily, A. divaricata seedlings planted singly at full sunlight yielded a higher aboveground biomass growth (8–17 g plant−1), compared with those shaded and intercropped seedlings (0.9–3.9 g plant−1). The increased competitiveness of H. moellendorffii suppressed the growth of A. divaricata across different light conditions when planted together. The amount of light, soil moisture, and nutrients and their interactions significantly affected the growth of the seedlings, resulting in asymmetric interspecific competition between the two species. Results provide us with a better understanding of the environmental factors affecting plant growth for forest farming in the understory.

Highlights

The growing demands for food to meet the need of the growing global populations has resulted in environmental pressures on forest lands, including forest clearing for commercial agriculture [1] and unsustainable exploitation of forest resources [2]
Results provide us with a better understanding of the environmental factors affecting plant growth for forest farming in the understory
Considering the unique environment in the forest understory, compared with the typical agricultural lands, it is, necessary to enhance our understanding of the environmental factors affecting plant growth

Summary

Introduction

The growing demands for food to meet the need of the growing global populations has resulted in environmental pressures on forest lands, including forest clearing for commercial agriculture [1] and unsustainable exploitation of forest resources [2]. If these pressures continue, deforestation and negative impacts on forest ecosystems and services will likely become more evident in the future. Studies on potential alternatives to increase agricultural production without exploiting forest lands and resources can significantly reduce the pressures or threats to our forest ecosystems. Doing so will make forest farming more ecologically and socio-economically feasible

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