Nutrient deprivation improves field performance of woody seedlings in a degraded semi-arid shrubland

摘要: The performance of planted seedlings in drylands is affected by seedling morphological and physiological traits. Recent studies support a positive relationship between size field performance. However, exceptions to this paradigm suggest that may be dependent on species degree stress. To test the hypothesis small would favored under harsh semi-arid conditions over large seedlings, we produced five Mediterranean woody (Pistacia lentiscus, Quercus coccifera, Rhamnus lycioides, alaternus Tetraclinis articulata) contrasted fertilization regimes, evaluated their after planting area. Seedlings were cultivated full sunlight received either slow release fertilizer or bi-weekly applications complete nutrient solution, diluted fertirrigation, solutions containing no nitrogen phosphorus. Fertilization had strong effect status, above belowground biomass accumulation, allocation patterns. Root: shoot ratio was higher nitrogen- phosphorus-deficient than receiving solution slow-release fertilizer. One year planting, survival negatively correlated with plant for all species. nutritional regime decreased 2 following years. Our results show nutrient-deprived are more likely establish well-fertilized suggesting functional characteristics associated deficiency outbalance scarcity reserves tissues.