Influence of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium Fertilization on Flowering and Expression of Flowering-Associated Genes in White Birch (Betula platyphylla Suk.)

Fertilization treatments can promote the growth and development of tree plants. In the present study, we evaluated the combined effects of different doses of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium on the blossoming and the expression of five flowering-associated genes, including BpMADS1, BpMADS3, BpMADS5, BpSPL1, and BpSPL2. The results showed that balanced NPK (nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium) fertilization cannot only promote the transition from juvenility to maturity but also can increase the inflorescence production of white birch. Furthermore, some fertilizing treatments not only increase the expression levels of all the five flowering-associated genes, but also change their expression patterns during the growth season. These results indicated that NPK fertilization have remarkable effects on flowering of white birch.