Application of mineral fertilizers to increasing soil moisture and growth of forest seedlings for creation forest crops in Western Tien-Shan

Research in the Western Tien-Shan reveals that mineral fertilizers significantly enhance soil moisture and growth of forest seedlings, with varying effects depending on species. Pine seedlings showed a 1.2-fold increase in height growth with higher fertilizer doses, while Korolkov’s hawthorn exhibited an even more pronounced response, growing up to 3.2 times faster. The Sievers apple tree demonstrated robust growth under all experimental conditions but still benefited from increased fertilization, with growth rates up to 1.5 times the control. Notably, fertilizers did not significantly retain moisture in the upper soil layers during summer but improved moisture levels in deeper root-inhabited zones, often exceeding the wilting point of 8%. This suggests that strategic fertilizer application could optimize afforestation efforts in arid mountain regions.

Mamutov, B., Butkov, E., Hamzayev, A., Sherkuziev, D., Aripov, K., Ergasheva, F., & Ismoilova, K. (2021). Application of mineral fertilizers to increasing soil moisture and growth of forest seedlings for creation forest crops in Western Tien-Shan. E3S Web of Conferences, 304, 3007. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202130403007