Objective The soil nutrient status in Betula alnoides plantation was investigated to assess the soil fitness of the species and reveal the relationship between soil nutrient regimes and site productivity so as to provide reference for site selection and soil nutrients management of B. alnoides plantation.

Method Forty-seven plots with size of 600 m² were established in B. alnoides plantations in Daqingshan Mountains, Guangxi. Three soil samples were collected in each plot and their soil chemical properties were analyzed, the soil nutritional status was evaluated according to the classification standard of soil nutrition. The plots were then divided into two site groups with high and low productivity based on their site index, and the differences in soil nutrition were further analyzed between the site groups.

Result The soil in majority of B. alnoides plantation was strongly acidic. The soil organic matter and nitrogen contents were in upper-middle class, the available phosphorus was of heavy shortage, and the contents of other nutrients were in lower-middle class. The soil organic matter and total potassium contents were significantly different at the level of 0.01, and the available nitrogen content at the level of 0.05 between high and low productivity sites.

Conclusion B. alnoides has strong adaptability to soils with low pH value and phosphorus contents. The organic matter, total potassium and available nitrogen contents are the key soil nutrient factors influencing the productivity of B. alnoides plantations in Daqingshan Mountains.