Effective Placement Methods of Vermicompost Application in Urban Tree Species: Implications for Sustainable Urban Afforestation

Huong Thi Thuy Dao, Jeong Min Seo, Jonathan O. Hernandez, Si Ho Han, Woo Bin Youn, Ji Young An and Byung Bae Park
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Huong Thi Thuy Dao: Department of Environment and Forest Resources, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
Jeong Min Seo: Department of Environment and Forest Resources, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
Jonathan O. Hernandez: Department of Environment and Forest Resources, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
Si Ho Han: Department of Environment and Forest Resources, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
Woo Bin Youn: Department of Environment and Forest Resources, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
Ji Young An: Department of Environment and Forest Resources, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
Byung Bae Park: Department of Environment and Forest Resources, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 14, 1-13

Abstract: Knowledge on growth and nutrient uptake characteristics of urban trees and effective strategies to grow trees can help accomplish the goal of urban afforestation initiatives in a sustainable way. Thus, the study investigated the effects of different vermicompost (VC) application placements on the growth and nutrient uptake of three contrasting tree species (fast-growing Betula platyphylla and Larix kaempferi and slow-growing Chamaecyparis obtusa ) to provide implications for growing tree stocks for sustainable urban afforestation programs. Five placement methods were used in the greenhouse trial: no fertilization (CON), surface placement (VC s ), subsurface placement at 6-cm depth (VC c ), bottom placement (35-cm depth (VC b )), and mixed with soil (VC m ). We measured the growth parameters such as height, root collar diameter (RCD), and biomass and analyzed foliar nutrient concentrations in response to different placement treatments of VC. Relative height growth was the highest at VC c (132% ( B. platyphylla ), 114% ( L. kaempferi )) and VC s ((57%) C. obtusa ). Significant improvement in aboveground and belowground biomass growth of all species at VC s and VC c compared to the other treatments was also observed. Generally, VC treatments significantly increased N concentration compared to CON in all species. In conclusion, fertilizing the fast- and slow-growing urban tree species using VC s and/or VC c is relevant to growing high quality planting stocks for sustainable urban afforestation purposes.

Keywords: biomass allocation; fast-growing species; fertilizer placement; organic fertilizer; vector analysis; vermicomposting (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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