PMC

Seedling growth of Cyclocarya paliurus under different soil water capacities. A Seedling growth under W1, W2, W3, and W4; B seedling growth under W1; C seedling growth under W4; D root growth under W2; E root growth under W3; and F root growth under W4

Letters indicate statistical results at each month in shoot, root and leaf. The same letters indicate no significance according to Bonferroni test (P < 0.05).

Water content (WC) in Cyclocarya paliurus under different soil water capacities. A WC in root; B WC in stem; C WC in leaf; and D WC in root, leaf, and stem, respectively. W1 denotes 10%–20 wt% SWC; W2 denotes 30%–40 wt% SWC; W3 denotes 50%–60 wt% SWC; and W4 denotes 70%–80 wt% SWC. Bars with different letters indicate significant differences (p < 0.05 by Duncan’s test) between treatments (n = 3)

Mineral element contents in Cyclocarya paliurus seedling under different soil water capacities. A K content in root; B K content in leaf; C K content in stem; D Na content in root; E Na content in leaf; F Na content in stem; G Ca content in root; H Ca content in leaf; I Ca content in stem; J Mg content in root; K Mg content in leaf; and L Mg content in stem. W1 denotes 10%–20 wt% SWC; W2 denotes 30%–40 wt% SWC; W3 means 50%–60 wt% SWC; and W4 means 70%–80 wt% SWC. Bars with different letters indicate significant differences (p < 0.05 by Duncan’s test) between treatments (n = 3)