{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T01:35:54Z","timestamp":1760060154291,"version":"build-2065373602"},"reference-count":37,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"15","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,4]],"date-time":"2025-08-04T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1754265600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Korea Forest Service (Korea Forestry Promotion Institute)","award":["2021400B10-2425-CA02"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["2021400B10-2425-CA02"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Plants"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Vaccinium oldhamii, a blueberry species native to Korea, is a deciduous shrub in the Ericaceae family. Its fruit possesses various pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory effects and potential for treating osteoporosis. This study evaluated the effects of five fertilization concentration levels using Multifeed 20 (N:P:K = 20:20:20) on the growth and physiological characteristics of one-year-old V. oldhamii container seedlings. Treatments included 0 g\u00b7L\u22121 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 g\u00b7L\u22121. Increases in stem thickness, root length, and total dry weight were observed in the control, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 g\u00b7L\u22121 treatments, whereas growth declined at 2.0 g\u00b7L\u22121. Mortality rates exceeded 15% at concentrations above 1.0 g\u00b7L\u22121. Photosynthetic capacity and chlorophyll content increased with fertilization. However, while growth improved with increasing fertilizer up to a certain level, it declined at the highest concentration. A fertilization rate of 0.5 g\u00b7L\u22121 proved to be the most economically and environmentally efficient for producing healthy seedlings. This study provides the first fertilization threshold for V. oldhamii, offering practical guidance for nursery production and forming a foundation for future domestication strategies.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/plants14152409","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,4]],"date-time":"2025-08-04T10:48:08Z","timestamp":1754304488000},"page":"2409","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Effect of Fertilization Levels on Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Containerized Seedlings of Vaccinium oldhamii"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"14","author":[{"given":"Da Hyun","family":"Lee","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Warm-Temperate and Subtropical Forest Research Center, National Institute of Forest Science, Seogwipo 63582, Republic of Korea"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Chung Youl","family":"Park","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Horticultural and Herbal Crop Environment Division, National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Wanju 55365, Republic of Korea"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9190-7112","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Do Hyun","family":"Kim","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Forest Bioresources Department, Baekdudaegan National Arboretum, Bonghwa 36209, Republic of Korea"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Jun Hyeok","family":"Kim","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Forest Bioresources Department, Baekdudaegan National Arboretum, Bonghwa 36209, Republic of Korea"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7512-8805","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Hyeon Min","family":"Kim","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Forest Bioresources Department, Baekdudaegan National Arboretum, Bonghwa 36209, Republic of Korea"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7936-2121","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Chae Sun","family":"Na","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Forest Bioresources Department, Baekdudaegan National Arboretum, Bonghwa 36209, Republic of Korea"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6486-097X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Wan Geun","family":"Park","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Division of Forest Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,4]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"Kim, T.J. (1996). Korean Resources Plant III, Seoul National University."},{"key":"ref_2","unstructured":"Kim, T.Y., and Kim, J.S. (2018). Woody Plants of Korea Peninsula, Dolbegae."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kim, H.N., Baek, J.K., Park, S.B., Kim, J.D., Son, H.J., Park, G.H., Eo, H.J., Park, J.H., Jung, H.S., and Jeong, J.B. (2019). Anti-inflammatory effect of Vaccinium oldhamii stems through inhibition of NF-\u03baB and MAPK\/ATF2 signaling activation in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. BMC Complement. Altern. Med., 19.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12906-019-2720-4"},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2239","DOI":"10.1002\/jsfa.6031","article-title":"Relationship between polyphenol content and anti-influenza viral effects of berries","volume":"93","author":"Sekizawa","year":"2013","journal-title":"J. Sci. Food Agric."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"57","DOI":"10.3390\/plants2010057","article-title":"Antioxidant activities and anti-cancer cell proliferation properties of Natsuhaze (Vaccinium oldhamii Miq.), Shashanbo (V. bracteatum Thunb.) and blueberry cultivars","volume":"2","author":"Tsuda","year":"2013","journal-title":"Plants"},{"key":"ref_6","unstructured":"Chae, J.W. (2021). Study on Forest Stand Structure of Distribution Area and Biological Activity of Vaccinium oldhamii Miq., Kyungpook National University."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1585","DOI":"10.21273\/HORTSCI16216-21","article-title":"Potassium fertigation to Enhance the Performance of Hypoxis hemerocallidea","volume":"56","author":"Akakpo","year":"2021","journal-title":"Hortscience"},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"391","DOI":"10.17957\/IJAB\/15.0297","article-title":"Integrating plant nutrients and elicitors for production of secondary metabolites, sustainable crop production and human health: A review","volume":"19","author":"Luciano","year":"2017","journal-title":"Int. J. Agric. Biol."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"336","DOI":"10.21273\/HORTSCI15505-20","article-title":"Plant growth and physiological responses to improved irrigation and fertilization management for young peach trees in the Southeastern United States","volume":"56","author":"Casamali","year":"2021","journal-title":"Hortscience"},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"414","DOI":"10.21273\/HORTSCI16359-21","article-title":"Long-term effects of pre-plant incorporation with Sawdust, Sawdust Mulch, and nitrogen fertilizer rate on \u2018Elliott\u2019 Highbush Blueberry","volume":"57","author":"Davis","year":"2022","journal-title":"Hortscience"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"832","DOI":"10.21273\/HORTSCI14558-20","article-title":"Dolomite and Micronutrient fertilizer affect phosphorus fate when Growing Crape Myrtle in Pine Bark","volume":"55","author":"Shreckhise","year":"2020","journal-title":"Hortscience"},{"key":"ref_12","unstructured":"Kim, D.S. (2012). Mass Production of Regenerated Plants from the Leaflet Calli of Vaccinium oldhamii Miquel, Chungbuk National University Graduate School."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lee, D.H., Park, C.Y., Jung, Y.H., Kim, J.H., Park, S.H., Son, H.J., Na, C.S., and Park, W.G. (2022). Seed dormancy and germination characteristics of Vaccinium oldhamii Miq. (Ericaceae). Horticulturae, 8.","DOI":"10.3390\/horticulturae8090836"},{"key":"ref_14","first-page":"119","article-title":"Seedling nutrition and irrigation","volume":"Volume 4","author":"Landis","year":"1989","journal-title":"The Container Tree Nursery Manual"},{"key":"ref_15","first-page":"88","article-title":"Containers and growing media","volume":"Volume 2","author":"Landis","year":"1990","journal-title":"The Container Tree Nursery Manual"},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"63","DOI":"10.14397\/jals.2015.49.1.63","article-title":"Effects of fertilizer treatment on the growth characteristics of 2-years old Pinus koraiensis Siebold & Zucc container seedlings","volume":"49","author":"Kim","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Agirc. Life Sci."},{"key":"ref_17","first-page":"189","article-title":"Growth and physiological characteristics of containerized seedlings of Sageretia thea at different fertilization treatments","volume":"110","author":"Eo","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Korean Soc. Forest Sci."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"235","DOI":"10.1007\/s11056-005-5419-y","article-title":"Relative contribution of initial root and shoot morphology in predicting field performance of hardwood seedlings","volume":"30","author":"Jacobs","year":"2005","journal-title":"New For."},{"key":"ref_19","unstructured":"Riley, L.E., Dumroese, R.K., and Landis, T.D. (2007). Morphological and physiological evaluations of seedling quality. National Proceedings: Forest and Conservation Nursery Associations, Proceedings of the RMRS-P-50, Target, OR, USA, 17\u201320 July 2006, United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"309","DOI":"10.1007\/s11056-009-9149-4","article-title":"Predicting field performance of five irrigated tree species using seedling quality assessment in Burkina Faso, West Africa","volume":"38","author":"Bayala","year":"2009","journal-title":"New For."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2121","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2486.2004.00867.x","article-title":"Photosynthesis, carboxylation and leaf nitrogen responses of 16 species to elevated pCO2 across four free-air CO2 enrichment experiments in. Forest, grassland and desert","volume":"10","author":"Ellsworth","year":"2004","journal-title":"Glob. Change Biol."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1332","DOI":"10.1139\/b79-163","article-title":"A Method for the extraction of chlorophyll from leaf tissue without Maceration","volume":"57","author":"Hiscox","year":"1979","journal-title":"Can. J. Bot."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1104\/pp.24.1.1","article-title":"Copper enzymes in isolated chloroplasts. Polyphenoloxidase in Beta vulgaris","volume":"24","author":"Arnon","year":"1949","journal-title":"Plant Physiol."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"115","DOI":"10.14397\/jals.2019.53.5.115","article-title":"Investigation of the optimal fertilization level for the mass production of container seedling of Tetradium daniellii (Benn.) T.G. Hartley","volume":"53","author":"Choi","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Agirc Life Sci."},{"key":"ref_25","unstructured":"Andrews, G.G. (1998). Understanding Nitrogen Fertilizers, Oregon State University."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"461","DOI":"10.2136\/sssaj1963.03615995002700040028x","article-title":"Effects of nursery fertility and density on seedling characteristics, yield, and field performance of Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda L.)","volume":"27","author":"Switzer","year":"1963","journal-title":"Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mustafa, G., Hayat, N., and Alotaibi, B.A. (2023). How and why to prevent over fertilization to get sustainable crop production. Sustainable Plant Nutrition, Elsevier.","DOI":"10.1016\/B978-0-443-18675-2.00019-5"},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"381","DOI":"10.1016\/S0378-1127(03)00306-2","article-title":"Effect of fertilization and irrigation on growth of aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) seedlings over three seasons","volume":"186","author":"Rude","year":"2003","journal-title":"Forest Ecol. Manag."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"153","DOI":"10.1016\/S0378-1127(01)00502-3","article-title":"Physiological responses of Fagus sylvatica L. seedlings under Pinus sylvestris L. and Quercus pyrenaica Willd. overstories","volume":"162","author":"Aranda","year":"2002","journal-title":"Forest Ecol. Manag."},{"key":"ref_30","first-page":"123","article-title":"Effect of different fertilization on physiological characteristics and growth performances of Eucalyptus pellita and Acacia mangium in a container nursery system","volume":"20","author":"Cho","year":"2011","journal-title":"J. Bio-Environ. Control."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"667","DOI":"10.1146\/annurev.es.17.110186.003315","article-title":"The evolution of phenotypic plasticity in plants","volume":"17","author":"Schlichting","year":"1986","journal-title":"Annu. Rev. Ecol. Syst."},{"key":"ref_32","unstructured":"Hopkins, W.G., and H\u00fcner, N.P.A. (2008). Introduction to Plant Physiology, John Wiley & Sons."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"199","DOI":"10.5532\/KJAFM.2014.16.3.199","article-title":"Responses of native trees species in Korea under elevated carbon dioxide condition\u2014Open top chamber experiment","volume":"16","author":"Ryu","year":"2014","journal-title":"Korean J. Agric. For. Meteorol."},{"key":"ref_34","first-page":"172","article-title":"Physiological and growth responses of M. thunbergii to different levels of fertilization","volume":"36","author":"Sung","year":"2023","journal-title":"Korean J. Plant Resour."},{"key":"ref_35","unstructured":"Jo, M.S., Lee, S.W., and Park, B.B. (2012). Effects of Three Fertilization Methods on the Growth Performances and Physiological Characteristics of Container Seedling, Korean Forest Society."},{"key":"ref_36","unstructured":"Kozlowski, T.T., and Pallardy, S.G. (1996). Physiology of Woody Plants, Elsevier."},{"key":"ref_37","unstructured":"Lee, H. (2022). Effect of Fertilization and Shading Treatment on the Growth Characteristics of Hovenia dulcis Container Seedlings, Department of Forest Resources, Graduate School, Yeungnam University."}],"container-title":["Plants"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2223-7747\/14\/15\/2409\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,9]],"date-time":"2025-10-09T18:22:26Z","timestamp":1760034146000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2223-7747\/14\/15\/2409"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,4]]},"references-count":37,"journal-issue":{"issue":"15","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,8]]}},"alternative-id":["plants14152409"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/plants14152409","relation":{},"ISSN":["2223-7747"],"issn-type":[{"type":"electronic","value":"2223-7747"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,4]]}}}