Effect of innovative peat-free organic growing media and fertilizer on nutrient allocation in pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) seedlings

Abstract

This study evaluates the effects of novel peat-free organic growing media and a novel liquid fertilizer on the biometric features and macronutrient allocation of Quercus robur and Fagus sylvatica seedlings with the view to compare biomass and nutrient allocation of plant organs in seedlings cultivated on peat growing medium against those grown on novel peat-free growing medium and fertilizer. The experimental setup involved four growing medium variants, including peat as the control (R20, R21, R22 and C). The novel growing medium and fertilizer were designed and formulated by the University of Agriculture in Kraków, Poland (UAK). Fertilization used in the state forest nurseries was represented as SR20, SR21, and SR22, while the novel fertilizer of UAK was represented as UR20, UR21, and UR22; meanwhile, SC and UC represented the control growing medium (peat) in both cases, respectively. The experiment was laid in a 2 × 2 × 4 experimental design using five seedlings per treatment. Seedlings were assessed for roots, shoots, and leaves biomass. The allocation patterns highlighted the variability of nutrient allocation within the plants, with more nutrients allocated to the root system. Interestingly, treatment UR22 yielded the highest mean root values, root biomass, and virtually all macroelement allocation. The SC solid fertilizer treatment and the UR22 liquid fertilizer treatment consistently showed superior performance across both species and different plant organs. These findings suggest that these treatments are particularly effective in enhancing the nutrient content of oak and beech seedlings, making them suitable choices for optimizing the growth and health of these species. Seedlings were assessed for roots, shoots, and leaves biomass after the nursery production cycle.