[Objective] We aim to reveal soil nutrient limiting factors of vegetation restoration in Pinus massoniana forests

in order to provide a theoretical basis for the restoration of the degraded P. massoniana forests.[Methods] The experimental analysis of chemical properties was conducted in four completely different forest vegetation plots at 0-5

5-20 and 20-40 cm depths of soil layers in the granite weathered red soil region of Hetian Town

Changting County

Fujian Province.[Results] (1) The organic matter

total nitrogen

total phosphorus

available phosphorus

total potassium

available potassium were lower in the degraded P. massoniana forest soil. The ability of soil keeping fertilizer was poor

and fertility was lost easily with soil erosion. (2) In all plots

the variation of organic matter

total nitrogen

total phosphorus

available phosphorus

potassium showed as:poor recovery < moderate recovery < relative good recovery < good recovery. (3) Organic matter

total nitrogen

total phosphorus

available phosphorus

available potassium showed significant positive correlations(p<0.01)

and the load on the first principal component were 0.921

0.931

0.974

0.906 and 0.874

respectively. (4) The variation of total K in four restored plots was not significant in surface soil

and there was not obvious rule in the other soil layer. The pH value of good restored plot was minimum

and vegetation under P. massoniana could grow well.[Conclusion] Organic

total nitrogen

total phosphorus

available phosphorus

available potassium are the main limiting factors in vegetation restoration

and the total potassium

pH value are not the main limiting factors in vegetation restoration.