Find in Library

To explore the changes of leaf functional traits of <i>Zanthoxylum planispinum</i> ‘dintanensis’ with growth and development and its relationship with soil properties, which can clarify the response of the plantation to soil properties and suitable strategy. The research results can provide a scientific basis for plantations management. We explored the response of leaf functional traits to soil by using redundancy analysis in 5–7-, 10–12-, 20–22-, and 28–32-year <i>Z. planispinum</i> ‘dintanensis’ plantations. The results showed that: (1) The coefficients of variation of leaf traits ranged from 0.41% to 39.51%, with mostly medium and low variation, with the lowest variability in leaf water content (0.51–0.85%); The 5–7, 10–12, 20–22-year-old plantations were laid at the “slow investment-return” end of the economic spectrum while 28–32-year plantations were close to “fast investment-return” end. (2) The <i>Z. planispinum</i> ‘dintanensis’ tended to suit the environment via making trade-off and coordination of leaf functional traits. Leaf dry matter content decreased with an increase in leaf carbon/leaf nitrogen ratio, which is the trade-off between nitrogen usage efficiency and nutrient fixation capacity in <i>Z. planispinum</i> ‘dintanensis’. (3) Redundancy analysis suggested that soil carbon/nitrogen ratio, soil total calcium, soil water content, soil available phosphorus, soil carbon/calcium ratio were highly correlated with leaf functional traits, while soil elemental stoichiometry had a greater reflection on leaf functional traits than their own content.