Abstract:

The paper aims to study the effects of planting patterns on the growth of Xanthoceras sorbifolia and soil physical and chemical properties, and provide a basis for scientific planting of X. sorbifolia. A field experiment was conducted with two treatments of bed-planting practice (BP) and flatting planting practice (FP). The morphological characters and biomass of the seedlings, soil bulk density (BD), soil water content (SWC), soil pH, contents of soil organic matter (SOM), available nutrients were measured. The results showed that: (1) BD and SWC in 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm soil layer were significantly lower under BP than those under FP, and BP significantly increased soil total porosity and aeration porosity; (2) BP increased the contents of SOM and available nutrients, especially in 20-40 cm layer, compared with those of FP, the contents of SOM, available N, available P and available K within the 20-40 cm soil layer under BP significantly increased by 117.05%, 53.06%, 28.31% and 23.40%, respectively; (3) BP significantly increased root length, branch number, green leaves area; the aboveground biomass and root dry biomass and the shoot/root ratio was 121.20%、46.15% and 51.19% higher those of FP, respectively. Based on the study, bed-planting practice can improve soil structure and fertility and is more suitable for cultivating X. sorbifolia.

Key words: Xanthoceras sorbifolia, Planting Patterns, Soil Structure, Soil Nutrient Contents, Growth Characteristics