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Effects of Three Fertilizers on Improving Soil Characteristics and Growth Performance of Mahonia fortunei (Lindl.) Fedde in Rocky Desertification Areas

Author

Listed:
  • Xiuwen Fang

    (School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
    Academy of Forestry, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530002, China)

  • Yue Sun

    (School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China)

  • Xiangxiang Huang

    (School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China)

  • Bo Pan

    (Academy of Forestry, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530002, China
    Guangxi Forest New Fertilizer Research and Development Center, Nanning 530002, China)

  • Haiying Gao

    (School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China)

  • Zhishui Liang

    (School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
    Key Laboratory of Concrete and Prestressed Concrete Structures of Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
    National and Local Unified Engineering Research Center for Basalt Fiber Production and Application Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China)

Abstract

Rocky desertification, a severe form of land degradation in tropical and subtropical regions driven by vegetation loss and soil erosion, poses significant ecological and economic challenges. Field trials in Fengshan County, Guangxi, China, evaluated the efficacy of NPK compound fertilizers, slow-release fertilizers, and bio-organic fertilizers on soil rehabilitation, microbial diversity, and the growth of Mahonia fortunei, a key species for ecological restoration and understory cash crop cultivation. The results demonstrated the bio-organic fertilizer’s superiority in soil regeneration, increasing organic matter by 30.4% (Bolin), 15.73% (Longlai), and 21.83% (Longlei) compared to NPK compound fertilizers, alongside elevating the total nitrogen (reaching 19.4 g/kg in Bolin) and phosphorus (85.45% higher in Bolin). Bio-organic fertilizer increased enzyme activities by 27–202% and enhanced microbial diversity, notably Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. Slow-release fertilizers maximized micronutrient availability (e.g., Cu increased by 151.65% in Bolin) and improved plant growth, achieving peak Mahonia fortunei (Lindl.) Fedde height (3.62 cm, increasing 9.04%) and ground diameter (4.5 cm, increasing 18.42%) in Longlei compared to NPK compound fertilizers. Regional variability highlighted the bio-organic fertilizer’s dominance in soil fertility metrics, while slow-release formulations excelled in micronutrient enrichment and plant performance. NPK compound fertilizers exhibited the lowest efficacy, potentially exacerbating soil degradation. This study advocates integrating bio-organic fertilizers for soil regeneration with targeted slow-release applications for crop productivity, particularly in understory cash crop systems. Such a dual approach bridges ecological restoration with economic resilience in karst ecosystems, offering scalable solutions for global rocky desertification mitigation.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiuwen Fang & Yue Sun & Xiangxiang Huang & Bo Pan & Haiying Gao & Zhishui Liang, 2025. "Effects of Three Fertilizers on Improving Soil Characteristics and Growth Performance of Mahonia fortunei (Lindl.) Fedde in Rocky Desertification Areas," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-19, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:5:p:1090-:d:1658162
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pingping Fang & David Abler & Guanghua Lin & Ali Sher & Quan Quan, 2021. "Substituting Organic Fertilizer for Chemical Fertilizer: Evidence from Apple Growers in China," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-24, August.
    2. Richard D. Bardgett & Wim H. van der Putten, 2014. "Belowground biodiversity and ecosystem functioning," Nature, Nature, vol. 515(7528), pages 505-511, November.
    3. Tiziano Gomiero, 2016. "Soil Degradation, Land Scarcity and Food Security: Reviewing a Complex Challenge," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-41, March.
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