Contrasting Adaptation Mechanisms of Golden <i>Camellia</i> Species to Different Soil Habitats Revealed by Nutrient Characteristics
Xianliang Zhu,
Jianmin Tang,
Huizhen Qin,
Kundong Bai,
Zongyou Chen,
Rong Zou,
Shengyuan Liu,
Quanguang Yang,
Xiao Wei,
Shengfeng Chai
Affiliations
Xianliang Zhu
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Functional Phytochemicals Research and Utilization, Guangxi Institute of Botany, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guilin 541006, China
Jianmin Tang
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Functional Phytochemicals Research and Utilization, Guangxi Institute of Botany, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guilin 541006, China
Huizhen Qin
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Functional Phytochemicals Research and Utilization, Guangxi Institute of Botany, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guilin 541006, China
Kundong Bai
College of Life Science, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541006, China
Zongyou Chen
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Functional Phytochemicals Research and Utilization, Guangxi Institute of Botany, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guilin 541006, China
Rong Zou
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Functional Phytochemicals Research and Utilization, Guangxi Institute of Botany, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guilin 541006, China
Shengyuan Liu
Administration of Nonggang National Nature Reserve of Guangxi, Chongzuo 532400, China
Quanguang Yang
Golden Camellia National Nature Reserve Management Center, Fangchenggang 538001, China
Xiao Wei
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Functional Phytochemicals Research and Utilization, Guangxi Institute of Botany, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guilin 541006, China
Shengfeng Chai
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Functional Phytochemicals Research and Utilization, Guangxi Institute of Botany, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guilin 541006, China
Golden Camellia species are highly specific to certain soil environments. Most species are only native to calcareous soils in karst regions, except for a few that grow only in acidic soils. Our aim is to elucidate the adaptation mechanisms of the species of calcareous-soil golden Camellia (CSC) and acidic-soil golden Camellia (ASC) to habitat soils through plant–soil nutrient characteristics and their relationships. We investigated 30 indices for soils and plants. Compared with ASC, CSC had more fertile soil, while their plant tissues exhibited stronger Ca, P, and Mn and weaker K storage, which may be important mechanisms for adapting to habitat soils. However, ASC showed a higher biological absorption coefficient (BAC) for nutrients, which may contribute to the adaptation of ASC to relatively barren acidic soils. Both CSC and ASC showed much higher BAC and accumulation of Ca than other nutrients. We also found that the concentrations of nutrients in the different tissues varied considerably between species. Correlation analysis revealed 135 significant relationships between the 30 indices, with the soil pH and soil Ca levels being the most important factors influencing the nutrient uptake network. This information helps in understanding the adaptation mechanisms of karst plants to habitat soils.
