Effects of N, P, and K fertilization on leaf characters and nutrient elements of Ginkgo biloba

In order to provide a scientific basis for the development of leaf use value of Ginkgo biloba orchard, the effects of different combinations of N, P, and K fertilization on the leaf growth and leaf nutrient elements were investigated in G. biloba.

Using the G. biloba cv. ‘Fozhi’ forest as the object, a three-factor and three-level experimental design was employed. Different combinations of N, P, and K fertilization application were set up, including T1 (N₁P₁K₀), T2 (N₁P₀K₁), T3 (N₀P₁K₁), T4(N₁P₁K_0.5), T5 (N₁P_0.5K₁), T6 (N_0.5P₁K₁) and T7 (N₁P₁K₁), with no fertilizer application as the control (CK). The correlation analysis of the SPAD value, the single leaf area, the leaf water content and the leaf nutrient of G. biloba was carried out. The membership function and principal component analysis were used to evaluate the fertilization effect of different ratio measures.

The results showed that different fertilization treatments increased the SPAD value and the single leaf area of G. biloba leaves. T4 treatment (45.25) was the highest of the SPAD value, T6 treatment was the highest (12.96 cm²) of the area leaves; T3 treatment was the highest (65.72%) of the leaf water content; The SPAD value was correlated the contents of Ca (P<0.05), the content of N and P, K, the content of P and K, the content of Ca and Mg were significantly positively correlated (P<0.01). The reasonable fertilization ratio of N, P and K promoted the accumulation of nutrient content in G. biloba leaves, meanwhile, the excessing or lacking of N, P and K inhibited the accumulation of nutrient elements in leaves. The order of comprehensive effects of fertilization on G. biloba leaves was T2>T6>T5>T7>T3>CK>T4>T1. T2 (application of 0.20 kg N, 0 kg P, 0.24 kg K per plant) was the optimal fertilization scheme for G. biloba leaves on the contrary.

Different fertilization treatments have significant effects on the growth and nutrient content of G. biloba leaves. Reasonable fertilization is more beneficial to the growth and development of G. biloba leaves.