Phosphorus(P) predominantly exists in forest soils as insoluble forms(such as inorganic and organic phosphorus), and its low availability is a major factor limiting tree growth. Pinus sibirica, a key constructive species of the cold-temperate coniferous forest, faces challenges when its seedlings are transplanted to the acidic soils of the Greater Khingan Mountains, where insufficient available phosphorus adversely affects seedling survival and growth. To explore the adaptation mechanisms of P. sibirica to insoluble P, a pot experiment was conducted using 2-year-old seedlings as test material. Treatments included a control(no P addition) and three P addition levels-50% (17.40 mg⋅kg-1), 100% (34.80 mg⋅kg-1), and 200% (69.60 mg⋅kg-1)-applied via four different P sources: calcium phytate, lecithin, aluminum phosphate, and iron phosphate. Seedling responses in biomass allocation, root morphology, and whole-plant phosphorus use efficiency(PUE) were analyzed. The results showed that: (1)Different P sources significantly affected seedling growth(P<0.05). The iron phosphate treatment -particularly at 200% P addition level-significantly promoted biomass accumulation in all organs and total seedling biomass, whereas organic P sources(calcium phytate and lecithin) had no significant promoting effects. (2)PUE was significantly influenced by the interaction between P source type and level(P<0.05). The highest PUE occurred under the 50% iron phosphate-addition level and declined with increasing levels; in contrast, PUE remained low and showed no significant trend under organic P source treatments. (3)Root morphology exhibited plasticity in response to insoluble P stress. Compared with the control, all P application treatments increased the specific root length and specific surface area of first-order roots but reduced their tissue density. Low-level iron phosphate induced a resource-acquisition strategy(characterized by high specific root length and low tissue density), whereas a conservative strategy predominated at high P-addition levels. (4)A comprehensive evaluation indicated that the 200% iron phosphate treatment achieved the highest composite score, followed by 200% aluminum phosphate- and 100% lecithin-addition level, indicating that inorganic P sources-especially iron phosphate-are more conducive to P. sibirica seedling growth. In conclusion, P. sibirica enhanced its phosphorus acquisition capacity by modulating root morphological traits, adjusting biomass allocation patterns, and optimizing PUE, with iron phosphate being the dominant P form efficiently utilized by this species. In future afforestation and tending practices, iron phosphate is recommended as the preferred phosphorus fertilizer for P. sibirica seedlings, and fertilization strategies should adhere to the principle of “low concentration for root development promotion and high concentration for aboveground growth promotion”. This study provides scientific guidance for improving seedling quality and afforestation survival rates of P. sibirica in acidic soil regions.
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