Effect of Soil Fertility on the Growth Characteristics of Two Young Trees of the Neem Family

Abstract

To select tree species suitable for growth under Chinese ephedra forests, this study set up three soil fertility treatments: pure sandy soil, V (sand): V (fertilizer) = 3:1, and V (sand): V (fertilizer) = 1:1, to investigate the effects of different soil fertility levels on the growth characteristics of two tree species, Azadirachta indica A. Juss (neem) and Melia azedarach (chinaberry). The results show that: (1) Under low light conditions and pure sandy soil, the height and basal diameter of neem significantly increased, while chinaberry showed a significant increase in height and basal diameter under the V (sand): V (fertilizer) = 1:1 condition. (2) Under the V (sand): V (fertilizer) = 1:1 condition, both neem and chinaberry exhibited maximum leaf growth characteristics, while there was a decreasing trend under the V (sand): V (fertilizer) = 3:1 condition. These results indicate that neem is more suitable for growth in pure sandy soil and is more tolerant to poor soil conditions, while chinaberry thrives under the V (sand): V (fertilizer) = 1:1 condition. This preliminary selection provides a theoretical basis for the initial screening of tree species for coastal defense forests.