Abstract:
To investigate the effect of elevations and planting patterns on the introduction adaptability of
Corylus chinensis and the regulatory role of soil, pure and mixed forests were established at three elevation gradients in Jiande (130 m), Tonglu (560 m), and Lin’an District(890 m), Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. Growth and fruiting indices of
C.
chinensis plants were measured for eight consecutive years, and in combination with soil properties, principal component analysis (PCA) and multi-factor variance analysis(ANOVA)were performed. The results showed that
C.
chinensis grew and fruited normally at all elevations, with the seedling survival rate exceeding 95% in the second year after planting. The mean tree height of 8-year-old stands exceeded 4.82 m and the mean diameter at breast height (DBH) exceeded 6.10 cm. The interaction effects of elevation and planting pattern on tree height and DBH were highly significant (
P<0.001), indicating that pure forests outperformed mixed forests at low-elevation areas, whereas mixed forests had greater growth advantages at middle and high elevations. PCA of soil extracted a fertility factor (PC1, its contribution rate was 66.4%) and pH-salt factor PC2 (PC2, its contribution rate was 30.4%). In conclusion, the growth response of
C.
chinensis to planting pattern varies with elevation and soil conditions. Under the conditions of this experiment, mixed forests are more advantageous at middle and high elevations with fertile soil, whereas pure forests are suitable for poor soils at low elevation, the background soil conditions at the site should be fully taken into account in selecting planting patterns.