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Clayton J, Lemanski K, Solbach MD, Temperton VM, Bonkowski M. Two-way NxP fertilisation experiment on barley ( Hordeum vulgare) reveals shift from additive to synergistic N-P interactions at critical phosphorus fertilisation level. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1346729. [PMID: 38504892 PMCID: PMC10948440 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1346729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
In a pot experiment, we investigated synergistic interaction of N and P fertilisation on barley biomass (Hordeum vulgare) on both shoot and root level with the aim to determine whether N-P interaction would be the same for all levels of N and P fertilisation. We further aimed to determine whether there was a critical level of N and/or P fertilisation rate, above which, a decrease in resource allocation to roots (as nutrient availability increased) could be demonstrated. Barley plants were grown from seed on a nutrient poor substrate and subjected to a two-way NxP fertilisation gradient using a modified Hoagland fertilisation solution. We observed N-P interactions in shoot and root biomass, and N and P use-efficiencies. A synergistic response in biomass was observed only above a critical level of P fertilisation when P was not limiting growth. Furthermore, we found that the same incremental increase in N:P ratio of applied fertiliser elicited different responses in shoot and root biomass depending on P treatment and concluded that barley plants were less able to cope with increasing stoichiometric imbalance when P was deficient. We provide, for the first time, stoichiometric evidence that critical levels for synergistic interactions between N-P may exist in crop plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Clayton
- Terrestrial Ecology, Institute of Zoology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Kathleen Lemanski
- Terrestrial Ecology, Institute of Zoology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Marcel Dominik Solbach
- Terrestrial Ecology, Institute of Zoology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Vicky M. Temperton
- Institute of Ecology, Faculty of Sustainability, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Lüneburg, Germany
| | - Michael Bonkowski
- Terrestrial Ecology, Institute of Zoology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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Wen X, Wang X, Ye M, Liu H, He W, Wang Y, Li T, Zhao K, Hou G, Chen G, Li X, Fan C. Response strategies of fine root morphology of Cupressus funebris to the different soil environment. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1077090. [PMID: 36618632 PMCID: PMC9811150 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1077090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Understanding fine root morphology is crucial to uncover water and nutrient acquisition and transposition of fine roots. However, there is still a lack of knowledge regarding how the soil environment affects the fine root morphology of various root orders in the stable forest ecosystem. Therefore, this experiment assessed the response strategies of fine root morphology (first- to fifth -order fine roots) in four different soil environments. The results showed that fine root morphology was related to soil environment, and there were significant differences in specific root length (SRL), specific surface area (SRA), diameter (D), and root tissue density (RTD) of first- and second -order fine roots. Soil total nitrogen (TN), alkaline nitrogen (AN) and available phosphorus (AP) were positively correlated with SRL and SRA and negatively correlated with D and RTD. Soil moisture (SW) was positively correlated with the D and RTD of first- and second-order fine roots and negatively correlated with the SRL and SRA. Soil temperature (ST), organic carbon (OC), soil bulk density (SBD) and soil porosity (SP) were not significantly correlated with the D, SRL, SRA, and RTD of the first- and second -order fine roots. AN was positively correlated with SRL and SRA and negatively correlated with both D and RTD in the first- and second -order fine roots, and the correlation coefficient was very significant. Therefore, we finally concluded that soil AN was the most critical factor affecting root D, SRL, SRA and RTD of fine roots, and mainly affected the morphology of first- and second -order fine roots. In conclusion, our research provides support for understanding the relationship between fine root morphology and soil environment, and indicates that soil nutrient gradient forms good root morphology at intraspecific scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochen Wen
- College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mengting Ye
- College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hai Liu
- College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenchun He
- College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu Wang
- College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tianyi Li
- College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Kuangji Zhao
- College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River and Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Guirong Hou
- College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River and Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Gang Chen
- College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River and Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Xianwei Li
- College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River and Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Chuan Fan
- College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Forest Resources Conservation and Ecological Safety on the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River and Forestry Ecological Engineering in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
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Shifts in Community Vegetative Organs and Their Dissimilar Trade-Off Patterns in a Tropical Coastal Secondary Forest, Hainan Island, Southern China. DIVERSITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/d14100823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The ecology of functional features highlights the importance of the leaf economic spectrum (LES) in understanding plant trade-offs between conservative and commercial resource use. However, it is still unclear whether changes in the plant attributes of various vegetative organs can be altered and whether the plant economic spectrum (PES) is categorized by multiple vegetative organs. We investigated a total of 12 functional features of 174 woody tree species, with leaf and stem attributes, on Hainan Island. We used principal component analysis (PCA) to analyze the changes in attributes and connections to understand how the plant trade-offs differ. We detected that stem organic matter (SOM) and stem organic carbon (SOC) contributed most to the first principal component, followed by leaf organic matter (LOM) and leaf organic carbon (LOC). Using Spearman correlation analysis, we determined that leaf total nitrogen (LTN) and specific leaf area (SLA), LTN and leaf total phosphorus (LTP), and finally stem total nitrogen (STN) and stem total phosphorus (STP) were positively significantly correlated. These significant variations in the traits of nutrients are regulated, while the morphological traits of aboveground vegetative organs are diverse. The coexistence of species and community assembly can increase our knowledge on the tropical coastal secondary forests. Furthermore, our outcomes can help us to better understand the restoration of habitats and green infrastructure design, suggesting that selecting different species across multiple trait axes can help ensure functionality at the maximum level.
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Li P, Yin R, Zhou H, Xu S, Feng Z. Functional traits of poplar leaves and fine roots responses to ozone pollution under soil nitrogen addition. J Environ Sci (China) 2022; 113:118-131. [PMID: 34963521 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2021.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Concurrent ground-level ozone (O3) pollution and anthropogenic nitrogen (N) deposition can markedly influence dynamics and productivity in forests. Most studies evaluating the functional traits responses of rapid-turnover organs to O3 have specifically examined leaves, despite fine roots are another major source of soil carbon and nutrient input in forest ecosystems. How elevated O3 levels impact fine root biomass and biochemistry remains to be resolved. This study was to assess poplar leaf and fine root biomass and biochemistry responses to five different levels of O3 pollution, while additionally examining whether four levels of soil N supplementation were sufficient to alter the impact of O3 on these two organs. Elevated O3 resulted in a more substantial reduction in fine root biomass than leaf biomass; relative to leaves, more biochemically-resistant components were present within fine root litter, which contained high concentrations of lignin, condensed tannins, and elevated C:N and lignin: N ratios that were associated with slower rates of litter decomposition. In contrast, leaves contained more labile components, including nonstructural carbohydrates and N, as well as a higher N:P ratio. Elevated O3 significantly reduced labile components and increased biochemically-resistant components in leaves, whereas they had minimal impact on fine root biochemistry. This suggests that O3 pollution has the potential to delay leaf litter decomposition and associated nutrient cycling. N addition largely failed to affect the impact of elevated O3 levels on leaves or fine root chemistry, suggesting that soil N supplementation is not a suitable approach to combating the impact of O3 pollution on key functional traits of poplars. These results indicate that the significant differences in the responses of leaves and fine roots to O3 pollution will result in marked changes in the relative belowground roles of these two litter sources within forest ecosystems, and such changes will independently of nitrogen load.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pin Li
- Research Center for Urban Forestry, Key Laboratory for Forest Silviculture and Conservation of Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Forest Ecosystem Research in Arid- and Semi-arid Region of State Forestry Administration, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Rongbin Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Huimin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Sheng Xu
- Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Management, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Zhaozhong Feng
- Institute of Ecology, Key Laboratory of Agrometeorology of Jiangsu Province, School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
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Wang F, Tang J, Li Z, Xiang J, Wang L, Tian L, Jiang L, Luo Y, Hou E, Shao X. Warming reduces the production of a major annual forage crop on the Tibetan Plateau. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 798:149211. [PMID: 34375235 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Climate warming has been proposed to increase primary production of natural grasslands in cold regions. However, how climate warming affects the production of artificial pastures in cold regions remains unknown. To address this question, we used open-top chambers to simulate warming in a major artificial pasture (forage oat) on the cold Tibetan Plateau for three consecutive years. Surprisingly, climate warming decreased aboveground and belowground biomass production by 23.1%-44.8% and 35.0%-46.5%, respectively, without a significant impact on their ratio. The adverse effects on biomass production could be attributed to the adverse effects of high-temperatures on leaf photosynthesis through increases in water vapor pressure deficit (by 0.05-0.10 kPa), damages to the leaf oxidant system, as indicated by a 46.6% increase in leaf malondialdehyde content, as well as reductions in growth duration (by 4.7-6.7 days). The adverse effects were also related to exacerbated phosphorus limitation, as indicated by decreases in soil available phosphorus and plant phosphorus concentrations by 31.9%-40.7% and 14.3%-49.4%, respectively, and increases in the plant nitrogen: phosphorus ratio by 19.2%-108.3%. The decrease in soil available phosphorus concentration could be attributed to reductions in soil phosphatase activities (by 9.6%-18.5%). The findings of this study suggest an urgent need to advance agronomic techniques and cultivate more resilient forage genotypes to meet the increasing demand of forage for feeding livestock and to reduce grazing damage to natural grasslands on the warming-sensitive Tibetan Plateau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuqiang Wang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Organic Agricultural, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiwang Tang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Organic Agricultural, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaolei Li
- College of Resources and Environment, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Xiang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Organic Agricultural, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Liwei Wang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Organic Agricultural, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Li Tian
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Organic Agricultural, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Lifen Jiang
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, USA
| | - Yiqi Luo
- Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, USA
| | - Enqing Hou
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Xiaoming Shao
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Organic Agricultural, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China; Engineering and Technology Research Center for Prataculture on the Xizang Plateau, Lhasa, China.
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Responses of Ecological Stoichiometric Characteristics of Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus to Periodic Submergence in Mega-Reservoir: Growth of Taxodium distichum and Taxodium ascendens. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10102040. [PMID: 34685849 PMCID: PMC8540895 DOI: 10.3390/plants10102040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Ecological stoichiometric studies can be useful for managing the deteriorated riparian zones of mega-reservoirs in which nutrients significantly impact the balanced vegetation cover. The present study aims to explore the effects of periodic submergence on the stoichiometric ecological characteristics of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P), as well as the growth conditions of two leading conifer species (Taxodium distichum and Taxodium ascendens) in the hydro-fluctuation zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) region, China. The stoichiometrical contents of C, N, and P in fine roots, leaves, and branches, and the growth conditions of T. distichum and T. ascendens were measured in July 2019. The results showed that periodic submergence affected the stoichiometric characteristics and growth conditions of these two woody species, and the impact was restrained, but both grew well. The effects of inundation on the C, N, and P ecological stoichiometric characteristics differed in different parts of trees. In general, the C contents showed the following pattern: leaves > branches > fine roots. The N and P content showed the following pattern: leaves > fine roots > branches, while the C/N and C/P ratios showed an opposite trend to that of N and P. The N and P content in all parts of T. distichum (with means of 17.18 and 1.70 g/kg for leaves, 4.80 and 0.57 g/kg for branches, and 6.88 and 1.10 g/kg for fine roots, respectively) and T. ascendens (with means of 14.56 and 1.87 g/kg for leaves, 5.03 and 0.63 g/kg for branches, and 8.17 and 1.66 g/kg for fine roots, respectively) were higher than the national average level (with means of 14.14 and 1.11 g/kg for leaves, 3.04 and 0.31 g/kg for branches, and 4.85 and 0.47 g/kg for fine roots, respectively). Except for N and P contents in the leaves of T. distichum, there was a significant correlation between N and P elements in other parts (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, the N/P ratio (10.15, 8.52, 6.44, and 7.93, 8.12, 5.20 in leaves, branches, and fine roots of T. distichum and T. ascendens, respectively) was lower than the critical ratio of 14. The growth conditions of T. distichum and T. ascendens were significantly negatively correlated with their leaf C contents and significantly positively correlated with their fine root N and P contents. This study showed that T. distichum and T. ascendens could maintain their normal growth needs by properly allocating nutrients between different organs to adapt to the long periodic submergence in the hydro-fluctuation zone of the TGR region.
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Yang S, Shi Z, Zhang M, Li Y, Gao J, Wang X, Liu D. Stoichiometry of Carbon, Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Shrub Organs Linked Closely With Mycorrhizal Strategy in Northern China. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:687347. [PMID: 34557207 PMCID: PMC8453024 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.687347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Mycorrhizal strategies include mycorrhizal statuses and mycorrhizal types, which are important reflections of the functional characteristics of ecosystems. The stoichiometry of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in plant organs is an important part of ecosystem functions, which has an important impact on the nutrient cycle of the ecosystem. The concentration of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus played a crucial role in ecosystem functioning and dynamics. The purpose of this study is to provide theoretical basis and data support for improving the properties of global terrestrial ecosystems by exploring the impact of mycorrhizal strategies on the stoichiometry of C, N, and P in different shrub organs. In this study, stoichiometric patterns of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in different shrub organs under different mycorrhizal status or types were analyzed at 725 samples across Northern China. Results showed that in different mycorrhizal status, the highest carbon concentration in shrub organs appeared in the facultatively mycorrhizal (FM) mycorrhizal status, and the highest nitrogen concentration appeared in the Non-mycorrhizal (NM) mycorrhizal status. Under different mycorrhizal types, the nitrogen concentration in the shrub organs under the arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) mycorrhizal type was the highest, and the phosphorus concentration under the ecto-mycorrhiza (ECM) mycorrhizal type was the highest. In the OM or FM mycorrhizal status, the concentrations of C, N, and P in the stems and leaves increase with the increase of the concentrations of C, N, and P in the roots. In the NM mycorrhizal status, the N concentration in the stems and leaves increases with the increase of the N concentration in the roots. Under AM, AM+ECM, and ECM mycorrhizal type, the concentrations of C, N, and P are closely related in roots, stems and leaves. The content of plant nutrients in different organs is closely related. It turned out that mycorrhizal statuses or types are able to alter the allocation of C, N, and P in different organs, and the relationships of C, N, and P among different organs are able to present different trend with the varying of mycorrhizal statuses or types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Yang
- College of Agriculture, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
- Luoyang Key Laboratory of Symbiotic Microorganism and Green Development, Luoyang, China
- Henan Engineering Research Center of Human Settlements, Luoyang, China
| | - Zhaoyong Shi
- College of Agriculture, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
- Luoyang Key Laboratory of Symbiotic Microorganism and Green Development, Luoyang, China
- Henan Engineering Research Center of Human Settlements, Luoyang, China
| | - Menghan Zhang
- College of Agriculture, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
- Luoyang Key Laboratory of Symbiotic Microorganism and Green Development, Luoyang, China
- Henan Engineering Research Center of Human Settlements, Luoyang, China
| | - Yang Li
- College of Agriculture, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
- Luoyang Key Laboratory of Symbiotic Microorganism and Green Development, Luoyang, China
- Henan Engineering Research Center of Human Settlements, Luoyang, China
| | - Jiakai Gao
- College of Agriculture, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
- Luoyang Key Laboratory of Symbiotic Microorganism and Green Development, Luoyang, China
- Henan Engineering Research Center of Human Settlements, Luoyang, China
| | - Xugang Wang
- College of Agriculture, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
- Luoyang Key Laboratory of Symbiotic Microorganism and Green Development, Luoyang, China
- Henan Engineering Research Center of Human Settlements, Luoyang, China
| | - Dehong Liu
- College of Agriculture, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
- Luoyang Key Laboratory of Symbiotic Microorganism and Green Development, Luoyang, China
- Henan Engineering Research Center of Human Settlements, Luoyang, China
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Liu AN, Zhang Y, Hou ZF, Hui Lü G. Allometric scaling of biomass with nitrogen and phosphorus above- and below-ground in herbaceous plants varies along water-salinity gradients. AOB PLANTS 2021; 13:plab030. [PMID: 34646433 PMCID: PMC8500215 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plab030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Biomass allocation affects the ability of plants to acquire resources and nutrients; a limited allocation of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, affects ecological processes. However, little research has been conducted on how plant allocation patterns change and on the trade-offs involved in allocation strategies when microhabitat gradients exist. We selected a 3.6 km transect in the Ebinur Lake Wetland Natural Reserve of Xinjiang, China, to investigate the relationships between plant traits (biomass and N and P concentrations) of herbaceous plants and environmental factors (soil moisture, salinity and nutrient content), and to determine the allometric scaling of biomass and stoichiometric traits between the above- and below-ground plant parts. The results show that the biomass and stoichiometric traits of plants reflected both the change of micro-environment and the natural characteristics of plants. With a decrease of the soil water availability and salinity, above- and below-ground N and P concentrations decrease gradually; scaling relationships exist between above- and below-ground plant parts, for biomass and N and P concentrations. Biomass allocation is influenced by soil nutrient ratios, and the allocation strategy tended to be conserved for N and variable for P. Second, the scaling relationships also show interspecific differences; all scaling exponents of Suaeda prostrata are larger than for other species and indicate a 'tolerance' strategy, while other species tend to increase the below-ground biomass and N and P concentrations, i.e. a 'capture' strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- An Na Liu
- Institute of Arid Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
- Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Education Ministry, Urumqi 830046, China
- Institute of Resources and Environment Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 8300462, China
- College of Science, Shihezi University, Shehezi 832003, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Institute of Arid Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
- Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Education Ministry, Urumqi 830046, China
- Institute of Resources and Environment Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 8300462, China
| | - Zhu Feng Hou
- Institute of Arid Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
- Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Education Ministry, Urumqi 830046, China
- Institute of Resources and Environment Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 8300462, China
| | - Guang Hui Lü
- Institute of Arid Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
- Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology, Education Ministry, Urumqi 830046, China
- Institute of Resources and Environment Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 8300462, China
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Gap Size in Hyrcanian Forest Affects the Lignin and N Concentrations of the Oriental Beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) Fine Roots but Does Not Change Their Morphological Traits in the Medium Term. FORESTS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/f12020137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Research Highlights: Fine roots play an important role in plant growth as well as in carbon (C) and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Gaining a wider knowledge of their dynamics under forest gap opening would improve our understanding of soil carbon input and below-ground carbon stock accumulation. Single-tree selection is increasingly recognized as an alternative regime of selection cutting sustaining biodiversity and carbon stock, along with timber production, among ecosystem functions. However, the fine root response in terms of morphological and chemical composition to the resulting harvest-created gaps remains unclear. Background and Objectives: This paper investigates the effect in the medium term (i.e., 6 years after logging) of differently sized harvest-created gaps on fine root dynamics and chemical composition. Materials and Methods: A total of 15 differently sized gaps (86.05–350.7 m2) and the adjacent 20 m distant closed canopies (control) were selected in a temperate Fagus orientalis forest (Hyrcanian region, Iran). Eight soil cores were collected at the cardinal points of the gap edge, including four facing the gap area—the same at the adjacent intact forest. Results: For the selected edge trees, the different size of gaps, the core position, and the tree orientation did not affect the investigated morphological traits, except for the slightly higher specific root length (SRL) for the larger fine root fraction (1–2 mm) in the side facing the gap area. Differently, the investigated chemical traits such as N concentration and cellulose:lignin ratio significantly increased with increasing gap size, the opposite for C:N ratio and lignin. Moreover, N concentration and C:N significantly decreased and increased with the fine root diameter, respectively. Conclusions: This work highlighted that, in the medium term and within the adopted size range, artificial gap opening derived from single-tree selection practice affected the chemistry rather than the biomass and morphology of gap-facing fine roots of edge trees. The medium term of six years after gap creation might have been long enough for the recovery of the fine root standing biomass to the pre-harvest condition, particularly near the stem of edge trees. A clear size threshold did not come out; nevertheless, 300 m2 may be considered a possible cut-off determining a marked change in the responses of fine roots.
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Chen X, Wang M, Li M, Sun J, Lyu M, Zhong Q, Cheng D. Convergent nitrogen-phosphorus scaling relationships in different plant organs along an elevational gradient. AOB PLANTS 2020; 12:plaa021. [PMID: 32537118 PMCID: PMC7281873 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plaa021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
A general relationship between the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) content of all plant organs (e.g. leaf, stem, and root) is hypothesized to exist according to whole-plant economics spectrum (PES) theory, but the evidence supporting these expected patterns remains scarce. We measured the N and P content of the leaves, twigs and fine roots of 64 species in three different forest communities along an elevational gradient (evergreen broad-leaved forest, 1319 m a.s.l., coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest, 1697 m a.s.l., and deciduous forest, 1818 m a.s.l.) in the Wuyishan National Nature Reserve, southeastern China. The scaling relationship between the N and P content and the linear regression relationship between the N:P ratio and N and P content were analysed. The leaf N and P content was significantly higher at the high-elevation site than at the low- or middle-elevation sites (P < 0.001). The N and P content followed a power-law relationship with similar scaling slopes between organs. The N (common slope, 1.13) and P (common slope, 1.03) content isometrically covaried among leaves, twigs and roots. The scaling exponents of the N-P relationship were not significantly different from 1.0 in all organs, with a common slope of 1.08. The scaling constants of N-P decreased significantly (P < 0.05) from the highest value in fine roots (β = 1.25), followed by leaves (β = 1.17), to the lowest value in twigs (β = 0.88). Standardized major axis (SMA) analyses and comparisons of 95 % confidence intervals also showed that the numerical values of the scaling slopes and the scaling constants did not differ regardless of elevation. The N content, but not the P content, accounted for a large proportion of the variation in the N:P ratio in leaves (N:P and N: r 2 = 0.31, F = 33.36, P < 0.001) and fine roots (N:P and N: r 2 = 0.15, F = 10.65, P < 0.05). In contrast, the N:P ratio was significantly related to both the N and P content in the twigs (N:P and N: r 2 = 0.20, F = 17.86, P < 0.001; N:P and P: r 2 = 0.34, F = 35.03, P < 0.001, respectively). Our results indicate that different organs of subtropical woody plants share a similar isometric scaling relationship between their N and P content, providing partial support for the PES hypothesis. Moreover, the effects of the N and P content on the N:P ratio differ between metabolic organs (leaves and fine roots) and structural organs (twigs), elucidating the stoichiometric regulatory mechanism of different organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping Chen
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Ecophysiology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Eco-geographical Process, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Mantang Wang
- School of City and Architecture Engineering, Zaozhuang University, Zaozhuang, Shandong Province, China
| | - Man Li
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Ecophysiology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Eco-geographical Process, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Jun Sun
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Ecophysiology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Eco-geographical Process, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Min Lyu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Ecophysiology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Eco-geographical Process, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Quanlin Zhong
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Ecophysiology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Eco-geographical Process, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Dongliang Cheng
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Ecophysiology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Eco-geographical Process, Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Corresponding author’s e-mail address:
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11
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Wang Z, Yu K, Lv S, Niklas KJ, Mipam TD, Crowther TW, Umaña MN, Zhao Q, Huang H, Reich PB. The scaling of fine root nitrogen versus phosphorus in terrestrial plants: A global synthesis. Funct Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Wang
- Institute for Advanced Study Chengdu University Chengdu China
| | - Kailiang Yu
- Institute of Integrative Biology ETH Zürich Zürich Switzerland
| | - Shiqi Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro‐Ecosystems, School of Life Sciences Lanzhou University Lanzhou China
| | - Karl J. Niklas
- Plant Biology Section, School of Integrative Plant Science Cornell University Ithaca NY USA
| | - Tserang Donko Mipam
- Institute of Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau Southwest Minzu University Chengdu China
- Key Laboratory for Bio‐Resources and Eco‐Environment, College of Life Sciences Sichuan University Chengdu China
| | | | - María N. Umaña
- Department of Plant Biology Michigan University East Lansing MI USA
| | - Qi Zhao
- Institute for Advanced Study Chengdu University Chengdu China
| | - Heng Huang
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California Berkeley CA USA
| | - Peter B. Reich
- Department of Forest Resources University of Minnesota St Paul MN USA
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment Western Sydney University Sydney NSW Australia
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12
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Raza MA, Bin Khalid MH, Zhang X, Feng LY, Khan I, Hassan MJ, Ahmed M, Ansar M, Chen YK, Fan YF, Yang F, Yang W. Effect of planting patterns on yield, nutrient accumulation and distribution in maize and soybean under relay intercropping systems. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4947. [PMID: 30894625 PMCID: PMC6426961 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41364-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Planting patterns affect nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) acquisition and distribution in maize and soybean under intercropping conditions. Here we reveal that strip relay-intercropping increases the N, P, and K uptake and distribution across plant organs (root, straw, and seed) of maize and soybean, accelerates the dry-matter production of intercrop-species, and compensates the slight maize yield loss by considerably increasing the soybean yield. In a two-year experiment, soybean was planted with maize in different planting patterns (SI, 50:50 cm and SII, 40:160 cm) of relay-intercropping, both planting patterns were compared with sole cropping of maize (SM) and soybean (SS). As compared to SI, SII increased the N, P, and K accumulation in each organ of soybean by 20, 32, and 18 (root) %, 71, 61, and 76 (straw) %, and 68, 65, and 62 (seed) %, respectively, whereas decreased the N, P, and K accumulation in each organ of maize by 1, 4, and 8 (root) %, 1, 10, and 3 (straw) %, and 5, 10, and 8 (seed) %, respectively. Overall, in SII, relay-cropped soybean accumulated 91% of total nutrient uptake (TNU) of sole soybean plants, and relay-cropped maize accumulated 94% of TNU of sole maize plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Ali Raza
- College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
- China Key Laboratory of Crop Eco-physiology and Farming System in Southwest, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, 611130, P.R. China
| | - Muhammad Hayder Bin Khalid
- College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China
| | - Xia Zhang
- College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
- China Key Laboratory of Crop Eco-physiology and Farming System in Southwest, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, 611130, P.R. China
| | - Ling Yang Feng
- College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
- China Key Laboratory of Crop Eco-physiology and Farming System in Southwest, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, 611130, P.R. China
| | - Imran Khan
- Department of Grassland Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, PR China
| | - Muhammad Jawad Hassan
- Department of Grassland Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, PR China
| | - Mukhtar Ahmed
- Department of Agronomy, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ansar
- Department of Agronomy, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Yuan Kai Chen
- College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
- China Key Laboratory of Crop Eco-physiology and Farming System in Southwest, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, 611130, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Fang Fan
- College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
- China Key Laboratory of Crop Eco-physiology and Farming System in Southwest, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, 611130, P.R. China
| | - Feng Yang
- College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China.
- China Key Laboratory of Crop Eco-physiology and Farming System in Southwest, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, 611130, P.R. China.
| | - Wenyu Yang
- College of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China.
- China Key Laboratory of Crop Eco-physiology and Farming System in Southwest, Ministry of Agriculture, Chengdu, 611130, P.R. China.
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Responses of Soybean Dry Matter Production, Phosphorus Accumulation, and Seed Yield to Sowing Time under Relay Intercropping with Maize. AGRONOMY-BASEL 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/agronomy8120282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Soybean production under maize–soybean relay-intercropping system (MSICS) is vulnerable to shading. A study was initiated to investigate the effects of three sowing-times: ST1, 90; ST2, 70; and ST3, 50 days of co-growth period and two phosphorus-rates: P0, 0; and P60, 60 kg P ha−1 on soybean under MSICS. Results revealed that ST3 significantly increased the photosynthetically active radiations, leaf area index, and photosynthetic rate by 72% and 58%, and 61% and 38%, and 6% and 8%, respectively, at full-flowering and full-pod stage of soybean than ST1. Treatment ST3, increased the total dry-matter (TDM) and the highest TDM was reached at full-seed (R6) stage. Similarly, ST3 considerably increased the dry-matter partitioning to pods and seeds, relative to ST1, soybean under ST3 at R6 had 35% and 30% higher pod and seed dry-matter, respectively. Moreover, ST3 exhibited the maximum seed-yield (mean 1829.5 kg ha−1) for both years of this study. Soybean under ST3 with P60 accumulated 38% higher P, and increased the P content in pods and seeds by 36% and 33%, respectively at R6 than ST1. These results imply that by selecting the appropriate sowing-time and phosphorus-rate for soybean, we can increase the TDM and seed-yield of soybean under MSICS.
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Xu B, Xu W, Wang Z, Chen Z, Palta JA, Chen Y. Accumulation of N and P in the Legume Lespedeza davurica in Controlled Mixtures with the Grass Bothriochloa ischaemum under Varying Water and Fertilization Conditions. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2018; 9:165. [PMID: 29487611 PMCID: PMC5816928 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.00165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Water and fertilizers affect the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) acquisition and allocation among organs in dominant species in natural vegetation on the semiarid Loess Plateau. This study aimed to clarify the N and P accumulation and N:P ratio at organ and plant level of a local legume species mixed with a grass species under varying water and fertilizer supplies, and thus to fully understand the requirements and balance of nutrient elements in response to growth conditions change of native species. The N and P concentration in the organ (leaf, stem, and root) and plant level of Lespedeza davurica (C3 legume), were examined when intercropped with Bothriochloa ischaemum (C4 grass). The two species were grown outdoors in pots under 80, 60, and 40% of soil water field capacity (FC), -NP, +N, +P, and +NP supply and the grass:legume mixture ratios of 2:10, 4:8, 6:6, 8:4, 10:2, and 12:0. The three set of treatments were under a randomized complete block design. Intercropping with B. ischaemum did not affect N concentrations in leaf, stem and root of L. davurica, but reduced P concentration in each organ under P fertilization. Only leaf N concentration in L. davurica showed decreasing trend as soil water content decreased under all fertilization and mixture proportion treatments. Stems had the lowest, while roots had the highest N and P concentration. As the mixture proportion of L. davurica decreased under P fertilization, P concentration in leaf and root also decreased. The N concentration in L. davurica at the whole plant level was 11.1-17.2%. P fertilization improved P concentration, while decreased N:P ratio in L. davurica. The N:P ratios were less than 14.0 under +P and +NP treatments. Our results implied that exogenous N and P fertilizer application may change the N:P stoichiometry and influence the balance between nutrients and organs of native dominant species in natural grassland, and P element should be paid more attention when considering rehabilitating degraded grassland via fertilization application in semiarid Loess Plateau region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingcheng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, China
| | - Weizhou Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, China
- School of Life Sciences, Yulin University, Yulin, China
| | - Zhi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, China
| | - Zhifei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, China
| | - Jairo A. Palta
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Wembley, WA, Australia
- Institute of Agriculture, School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Yinglong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, China
- Institute of Agriculture, School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
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15
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Xu B, Xu W, Wang Z, Chen Z, Palta JA, Chen Y. Accumulation of N and P in the Legume Lespedeza davurica in Controlled Mixtures with the Grass Bothriochloa ischaemum under Varying Water and Fertilization Conditions. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2018. [PMID: 29487611 DOI: 10.1007/s11104-015-2714-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Water and fertilizers affect the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) acquisition and allocation among organs in dominant species in natural vegetation on the semiarid Loess Plateau. This study aimed to clarify the N and P accumulation and N:P ratio at organ and plant level of a local legume species mixed with a grass species under varying water and fertilizer supplies, and thus to fully understand the requirements and balance of nutrient elements in response to growth conditions change of native species. The N and P concentration in the organ (leaf, stem, and root) and plant level of Lespedeza davurica (C3 legume), were examined when intercropped with Bothriochloa ischaemum (C4 grass). The two species were grown outdoors in pots under 80, 60, and 40% of soil water field capacity (FC), -NP, +N, +P, and +NP supply and the grass:legume mixture ratios of 2:10, 4:8, 6:6, 8:4, 10:2, and 12:0. The three set of treatments were under a randomized complete block design. Intercropping with B. ischaemum did not affect N concentrations in leaf, stem and root of L. davurica, but reduced P concentration in each organ under P fertilization. Only leaf N concentration in L. davurica showed decreasing trend as soil water content decreased under all fertilization and mixture proportion treatments. Stems had the lowest, while roots had the highest N and P concentration. As the mixture proportion of L. davurica decreased under P fertilization, P concentration in leaf and root also decreased. The N concentration in L. davurica at the whole plant level was 11.1-17.2%. P fertilization improved P concentration, while decreased N:P ratio in L. davurica. The N:P ratios were less than 14.0 under +P and +NP treatments. Our results implied that exogenous N and P fertilizer application may change the N:P stoichiometry and influence the balance between nutrients and organs of native dominant species in natural grassland, and P element should be paid more attention when considering rehabilitating degraded grassland via fertilization application in semiarid Loess Plateau region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingcheng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, China
| | - Weizhou Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, China
- School of Life Sciences, Yulin University, Yulin, China
| | - Zhi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, China
| | - Zhifei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, China
| | - Jairo A Palta
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Wembley, WA, Australia
- Institute of Agriculture, School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Yinglong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, China
- Institute of Agriculture, School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
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16
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Responses of nutrient capture and fine root morphology of subalpine coniferous tree Picea asperata to nutrient heterogeneity and competition. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187496. [PMID: 29095947 PMCID: PMC5667764 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigating the responses of trees to the heterogeneous distribution of nutrients in soil and simultaneous presence of neighboring roots could strengthen the understanding of an influential mechanism on tree growth and provide a scientific basis for forest management. Here, we conducted two split-pot experiments to investigate the effects of nutrient heterogeneity and intraspecific competition on the fine root morphology and nutrient capture of Picea asperata. The results showed that P. asperata efficiently captured nutrients by increasing the specific root length (SRL) and specific root area (SRA) of first-and second-order roots and decreasing the tissue density of first-order roots to avoid competition for resources and space with neighboring roots. The nutrient heterogeneity and addition of fertilization did not affect the fine root morphology, but enhanced the P and K concentrations in the fine roots in the absence of a competitor. On the interaction between nutrient heterogeneity and competition, competition decreased the SRL and SRA but enhanced the capture of K under heterogeneous soil compared with under homogeneous soil. Additionally, the P concentration, but not the K concentration, was linearly correlated to root morphology in heterogeneous soil, even when competition was present. The results suggested that root morphological features were only stimulated when the soil nutrients were insufficient for plant growth and the nutrients accumulations by root were mainly affected by the soil nutrients more than the root morphology.
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17
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Zhang K, Su Y, Yang R. Biomass and nutrient allocation strategies in a desert ecosystem in the Hexi Corridor, northwest China. JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH 2017; 130:699-708. [PMID: 28401322 DOI: 10.1007/s10265-017-0940-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The allocation of biomass and nutrients in plants is a crucial factor in understanding the process of plant structures and dynamics to different environmental conditions. In this study, we present a comprehensive scaling analysis of data from a desert ecosystem to determine biomass and nutrient (carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P)) allocation strategies of desert plants from 40 sites in the Hexi Corridor. We found that the biomass and levels of C, N, and P storage were higher in shoots than in roots. Roots biomass and nutrient storage were concentrated at a soil depth of 0-30 cm. Scaling relationships of biomass, C storage, and P storage between shoots and roots were isometric, but that of N storage was allometric. Results of a redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that soil nutrient densities were the primary factors influencing biomass and nutrient allocation, accounting for 94.5% of the explained proportion. However, mean annual precipitation was the primary factor influencing the roots biomass/shoots biomass (R/S) ratio. Furthermore, Pearson's correlations and regression analyses demonstrated that although the biomass and nutrients that associated with functional traits primarily depended on soil conditions, mean annual precipitation and mean annual temperature had greater effects on roots biomass and nutrient storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Zhang
- Linze Inland River Basin Research Station, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, CAS/Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydrology in Inland River Basin, CAS, No. 320, Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - YongZhong Su
- Linze Inland River Basin Research Station, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, CAS/Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydrology in Inland River Basin, CAS, No. 320, Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Rong Yang
- Linze Inland River Basin Research Station, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, CAS/Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydrology in Inland River Basin, CAS, No. 320, Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, People's Republic of China
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18
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Zhao N, Yu G, He N, Xia F, Wang Q, Wang R, Xu Z, Jia Y. Invariant allometric scaling of nitrogen and phosphorus in leaves, stems, and fine roots of woody plants along an altitudinal gradient. JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH 2016; 129:647-657. [PMID: 26943163 DOI: 10.1007/s10265-016-0805-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2014] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) to phosphorus (P) allocation in plant organs is of particular interest, as both elements are important to regulate plant growth. We analyzed the scaling relationship of N and P in leaves, stems and fine roots of 224 plant species along an altitudinal transect (500-2,300 m) on the northern slope of Changbai Mountain, China. We tested whether the scaling relationships of N and P were conserved in response to environmental variations. We found that the N and P concentrations of the leaves, stems and fine roots decreased, whereas the N:P ratios increased with increasing altitude. Allometric scaling relationships of N and P were found in the leaves, stems and fine roots, with allometric exponents of 0.78, 0.71 and 0.87, respectively. An invariant allometric scaling of N and P in the leaves, stems and fine roots was detected for woody plants along the altitudinal gradient. These results may advance our understanding of plant responses to climate change, and provide a basis for practical implication of various ecological models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing of Gansu Province, Heihe Remote Sensing Experimental Research Station, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Synthesis Research Center of Chinese Ecosystem Research Network, Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Guirui Yu
- Synthesis Research Center of Chinese Ecosystem Research Network, Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Nianpeng He
- Synthesis Research Center of Chinese Ecosystem Research Network, Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Fucai Xia
- Foresty College of Beihua University, Jilin, 132013, China
| | - Qiufeng Wang
- Synthesis Research Center of Chinese Ecosystem Research Network, Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Ruili Wang
- Synthesis Research Center of Chinese Ecosystem Research Network, Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Zhiwei Xu
- Synthesis Research Center of Chinese Ecosystem Research Network, Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yanlong Jia
- Synthesis Research Center of Chinese Ecosystem Research Network, Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
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Bowsher AW, Mason CM, Goolsby EW, Donovan LA. Fine root tradeoffs between nitrogen concentration and xylem vessel traits preclude unified whole-plant resource strategies in Helianthus. Ecol Evol 2016; 6:1016-31. [PMID: 26941942 PMCID: PMC4761775 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Revised: 12/11/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent work suggests variation in plant growth strategies is governed by a tradeoff in resource acquisition and use, ranging from a rapid resource acquisition strategy to a resource-conservative strategy. While evidence for this tradeoff has been found in leaves, knowledge of root trait strategies, and whether they reflect adaptive differentiation across environments, is limited. In the greenhouse, we investigated variation in fine root morphology (specific root length and tissue density), chemistry (nitrogen concentration and carbon:nitrogen), and anatomy (root cross-sectional traits) in populations of 26 Helianthus species and sister Phoebanthus tenuifolius. We also compared root trait variation in this study with leaf trait variation previously reported in a parallel study of these populations. Root traits varied widely and exhibited little phylogenetic signal, suggesting high evolutionary lability. Specific root length and root tissue density were weakly negatively correlated, but neither was associated with root nitrogen, providing little support for a single axis of root trait covariation. Correlations between traits measured in the greenhouse and native site characteristics were generally weak, suggesting a variety of equally viable root trait combinations exist within and across environments. However, high root nitrogen was associated with lower xylem vessel number and cross-sectional area, suggesting a tradeoff between nutrient investment and water transport capacity. This led to correlations between root and leaf traits that were not always consistent with an acquisition-conservation tradeoff at the whole-plant level. Given that roots must balance acquisition of water and nutrients with functions like anchorage, exudation, and microbial symbioses, the varied evidence for root trait covariation likely reflects the complexity of interacting selection pressures belowground. Similarly, the lack of evidence for a single acquisition-conservation tradeoff at the whole-plant level likely reflects the vastly different selection pressures shaping roots and leaves, and the resources they are optimized to obtain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan W. Bowsher
- Department of Plant BiologyUniversity of Georgia2502 Miller Plant SciencesAthensGeorgia30602
| | - Chase M. Mason
- Department of Plant BiologyUniversity of Georgia2502 Miller Plant SciencesAthensGeorgia30602
| | - Eric W. Goolsby
- Interdisciplinary Toxicology ProgramUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgia
| | - Lisa A. Donovan
- Interdisciplinary Toxicology ProgramUniversity of GeorgiaAthensGeorgia
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20
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He M, Song X, Tian F, Zhang K, Zhang Z, Chen N, Li X. Divergent variations in concentrations of chemical elements among shrub organs in a temperate desert. Sci Rep 2016; 6:20124. [PMID: 26818575 PMCID: PMC4730183 DOI: 10.1038/srep20124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Desert shrubs, a dominant component of desert ecosystems, need to maintain sufficient levels of nutrients in their different organs to ensure operation of various physiological functions for the purpose of survival and reproduction. In the present study, we analyzed 10 elements in leaves, stems, and roots of 24 dominant shrub species from 52 sites across a temperate desert ecosystem in northwestern China. We found that concentrations of all 10 elements were higher in leaves than in stems and roots, that non-legumes had higher levels of leaf Na and Mg than did legumes, and that Na was more concentrated in C4 leaves than in C3 leaves. Scaling relationships of elements between the photosynthetic organ (leaf) and non-photosynthetic organs (stem and root) were allometric. Results of principal components analysis (PCA) highlighted the important role of the elements responsible for osmoregulation (K and Na) in water utilization of desert shrubs. Soil properties and taxonomy explained most variation of element concentrations in desert shrubs. Desert shrubs may not be particularly susceptible to future change in climate factors, because most elements (including N, P, K, Ca, Mn, Zn, and Cu) associated with photosynthesis, osmoregulation, enzyme activity, and water use efficiency primarily depend on soil conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhu He
- Shapotou Desert Research and Experiment Station, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Key Laboratory of Stress Physiology and Ecology in Cold and Arid Regions of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Xin Song
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Centre for Carbon, Water and Food, The University of Sydney, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia
| | - Fuping Tian
- The Lanzhou Scientific Observation and Experiment Field Station of Ministry of Agriculture for Ecological System in the Loess Plateau Area, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730050, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- Shapotou Desert Research and Experiment Station, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Key Laboratory of Stress Physiology and Ecology in Cold and Arid Regions of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Zhishan Zhang
- Shapotou Desert Research and Experiment Station, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Key Laboratory of Stress Physiology and Ecology in Cold and Arid Regions of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Ning Chen
- Shapotou Desert Research and Experiment Station, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Key Laboratory of Stress Physiology and Ecology in Cold and Arid Regions of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Xinrong Li
- Shapotou Desert Research and Experiment Station, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Key Laboratory of Stress Physiology and Ecology in Cold and Arid Regions of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, 730000, China
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21
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Xia M, Talhelm AF, Pregitzer KS. Fine roots are the dominant source of recalcitrant plant litter in sugar maple-dominated northern hardwood forests. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2015; 208:715-26. [PMID: 26073624 PMCID: PMC5033015 DOI: 10.1111/nph.13494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Accepted: 05/03/2015] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Most studies of forest litter dynamics examine the biochemical characteristics and decomposition of leaf litter, but fine roots are also a large source of litter in forests. We quantified the concentrations of eight biochemical fractions and nitrogen (N) in leaf litter and fine roots at four sugar maple (Acer saccharum)-dominated hardwood forests in the north-central United States. We combined these results with litter production data to estimate ecosystem biochemical fluxes to soil. We also compared how leaf litter and fine root biochemistry responded to long-term simulated N deposition. Compared with leaf litter, fine roots contained 2.9-fold higher acid-insoluble fraction (AIF) and 2.3-fold more condensed tannins; both are relatively difficult to decompose. Comparatively, leaf litter had greater quantities of more labile components: nonstructural carbohydrates, cellulose and soluble phenolics. At an ecosystem scale, fine roots contributed over two-thirds of the fluxes of AIF and condensed tannins to soil. Fine root biochemistry was also less responsive than leaf litter to long-term simulated N deposition. Fine roots were the dominant source of difficult-to-decompose plant carbon fractions entering the soil at our four study sites. Based on our synthesis of the literature, this pattern appears to be widespread in boreal and temperate forests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxue Xia
- Department of Forest, Rangeland, and Fire SciencesUniversity of IdahoMoscowID83844‐1133USA
| | - Alan F. Talhelm
- Department of Forest, Rangeland, and Fire SciencesUniversity of IdahoMoscowID83844‐1133USA
| | - Kurt S. Pregitzer
- Department of Forest, Rangeland, and Fire SciencesUniversity of IdahoMoscowID83844‐1133USA
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22
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Li FL, Bao WK. New insights into leaf and fine-root trait relationships: implications of resource acquisition among 23 xerophytic woody species. Ecol Evol 2015; 5:5344-5351. [PMID: 30151136 PMCID: PMC6102526 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Revised: 09/26/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional traits of leaves and fine root vary broadly among different species, but little is known about how these interspecific variations are coordinated between the two organs. This study aims to determine the interspecific relationships between corresponding leaf and fine-root traits to better understand plant strategies of resource acquisition. SLA (Specific leaf area), SRL (specific root length), mass-based N (nitrogen) and P (phosphorus) concentrations of leaves and fine roots, root system, and plant sizes were measured in 23 woody species grown together in a common garden setting. SLA and SRL exhibited a strong negative relationship. There were no significant relationships between corresponding leaf and fine-root nutrient concentrations. The interspecific variations in plant height and biomass were tightly correlated with root system size characteristics, including root depth and total root length. These results demonstrate a coordinated plant size-dependent variation between shoots and roots, but for efficiency, plant resource acquisition appears to be uncoupled between the leaves and fine roots. The different patterns of leaf and fine-root traits suggest different strategies for resource acquisition between the two organs. This provides insights into the linkage between above- and belowground subsystems in carbon and nutrient economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Lan Li
- Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource UtilizationChengdu Institute of BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesChengduChina
| | - Wei Kai Bao
- Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource UtilizationChengdu Institute of BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesChengduChina
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23
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Chen ZX, Ni HG, Jing X, Chang WJ, Sun JL, Zeng H. Plant uptake, translocation, and return of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons via fine root branch orders in a subtropical forest ecosystem. CHEMOSPHERE 2015; 131:192-200. [PMID: 25863163 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.03.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Revised: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/22/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Fine roots of woody plants are a heterogeneous system differing markedly in structure and function. Nevertheless, knowledge about the plant uptake of organic pollutants via fine roots is scarce to date. In the present study, plant uptake, translocation, and return of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) via fine roots in a subtropical forest ecosystem were investigated. Levels of Σ15PAHs in different fine root branch orders of Michelia macclurei, Cryptocarya concinna, Cryptocarya chinensis, and Canthium dicoccums varied from 5072±1419 ng g(-1) to 6080±1656 ng g(-1), 4037±410 ng g(-1) to 6101±972 ng g(-1), 3308±1191 ng g(-1) to 4283±237 ng g(-1), and 3737±800 ng g(-1) to 4895±1216 ng g(-1), respectively. Overall, concentrations of low-molecular-weight PAHs with 2-3 aromatic rings were higher than high-molecular-weight PAHs with 4-6 aromatic rings in all fine root branch orders. There were obvious translocations of PAHs between adjacent branch orders and a net accumulation of PAHs may occur in the fourth- and fifth-order roots. The storage of PAHs in the fine root system showed an obvious increasing trend along the branch orders ascending for all tree species. The return flux of PAHs via fine roots mortality showed an obvious decreasing trend with the branch orders ascending across the four tree species. Lower order roots contributed greatly to the total PAHs return flux. Our results indicated that fine roots turnover is an effective pathway for perennial tree species to remove environmental toxicants absorbed into them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-Xia Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Circular Economy, Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University, Shenzhen 518055, China; Department of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Hong-Gang Ni
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Circular Economy, Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xin Jing
- Department of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Wen-Jing Chang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Circular Economy, Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jian-Lin Sun
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Circular Economy, Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University, Shenzhen 518055, China; Department of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Hui Zeng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Circular Economy, Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University, Shenzhen 518055, China; Department of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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24
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Kong D, Ma C, Zhang Q, Li L, Chen X, Zeng H, Guo D. Leading dimensions in absorptive root trait variation across 96 subtropical forest species. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2014; 203:863-72. [PMID: 24824672 DOI: 10.1111/nph.12842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2014] [Accepted: 04/03/2014] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Absorptive root traits show remarkable cross-species variation, but major root trait dimensions across species have not been defined. We sampled first-order roots and measured 14 root traits for 96 angiosperm woody species from subtropical China, including root diameter, specific root length, stele diameter, cortex thickness, root vessel size and density, mycorrhizal colonization rate, root branching intensity, tissue density, and concentrations of carbon and nitrogen ([N]). Root traits differed in the degree of variation and phylogenetic conservatism, but showed predictable patterns of cross-trait coordination. Root diameter, cortex thickness and stele diameter displayed high variation across species (coefficient of variation (CV)=0.51-0.69), whereas the stele:root diameter ratio and [N] showed low variation (CV<0.32). Root diameter, cortex thickness and stele diameter showed a strong phylogenetic signal across species, whereas root branching traits did not, and these two sets of traits were segregated onto two nearly orthogonal (independent) principal component analysis (PCA) axes. Two major dimensions of root trait variation were found: a diameter-related dimension potentially integrating root construction, maintenance, and persistence with mycorrhizal colonization, and a branching architecture dimension expressing root plastic responses to the environment. These two dimensions may offer a promising path for better understanding root trait economics and root ecological strategies world-wide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deliang Kong
- The Key Laboratory for Urban Habitat Environmental Science and Technology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
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25
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Yang X, Tang Z, Ji C, Liu H, Ma W, Mohhamot A, Shi Z, Sun W, Wang T, Wang X, Wu X, Yu S, Yue M, Zheng C. Scaling of nitrogen and phosphorus across plant organs in shrubland biomes across Northern China. Sci Rep 2014; 4:5448. [PMID: 24965183 PMCID: PMC4071319 DOI: 10.1038/srep05448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2014] [Accepted: 05/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Allocation of limiting resources, such as nutrients, is an important adaptation strategy for plants. Plants may allocate different nutrients within a specific organ or the same nutrient among different organs. In this study, we investigated the allocation strategies of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in leaves, stems and roots of 126 shrub species from 172 shrubland communities in Northern China using scaling analyses. Results showed that N and P have different scaling relationships among plant organs. The scaling relationships of N concentration across different plant organs tended to be allometric between leaves and non-leaf organs, and isometric between non-leaf organs. Whilst the scaling relationships of P concentration tended to be allometric between roots and non-root organs, and isometric between non-root organs. In arid environments, plant tend to have higher nutrient concentration in leaves at given root or stem nutrient concentration. Evolutionary history affected the scaling relationships of N concentration slightly, but not affected those of P concentration. Despite fairly consistent nutrients allocation strategies existed in independently evolving lineages, evolutionary history and environments still led to variations on these strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Yang
- Department of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences and Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiyao Tang
- Department of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences and Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Chengjun Ji
- Department of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences and Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongyan Liu
- Department of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences and Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenhong Ma
- College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Anwar Mohhamot
- Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China
| | - Zhaoyong Shi
- College of Agriculture, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Wei Sun
- College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences and Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangping Wang
- College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Xian Wu
- College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Shunli Yu
- Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Yue
- College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Chengyang Zheng
- Department of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences and Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, Peking University, Beijing, China
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26
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Augusto L, De Schrijver A, Vesterdal L, Smolander A, Prescott C, Ranger J. Influences of evergreen gymnosperm and deciduous angiosperm tree species on the functioning of temperate and boreal forests. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2014; 90:444-66. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2013] [Revised: 03/25/2014] [Accepted: 04/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Augusto
- UMR 1391 ISPA, INRA, Bordeaux Sciences Agro; Villenave d'Ornon 33883 France
| | - An De Schrijver
- Forest & Nature Lab; Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University; Geraardsbergse Steenweg 267 9090 Gontrode (Melle) Belgium
| | - Lars Vesterdal
- Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management; University of Copenhagen; Rolighedsvej 23 DK-1958 Frederiksberg C Denmark
| | - Aino Smolander
- Vantaa Research Department, Finnish Forest Research Institute; PO Box 18 FI-01301 Vantaa Finland
| | - Cindy Prescott
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry; University of British Columbia; Vancouver British Columbia Canada
| | - Jacques Ranger
- Biogéochimie des écosystèmes forestiers; INRA; Centre de Nancy 54280 Champenoux France
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27
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Acquisition of ephemeral module in roots: a new view and test. Sci Rep 2014; 4:5078. [PMID: 24865985 PMCID: PMC4035572 DOI: 10.1038/srep05078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The terminal root branch orders composed mainly of primarily-developed tissues are increasingly recognized as an ephemeral module specialized for resource absorption. This root module is crucial in driving a range of ecosystem processes such as belowground productivity, carbon and nutrient cycling. Traditionally, acquisition of the ephemeral root module is achieved by separating these primarily-developed branch orders with forceps. However, obtaining this root segment with forceps approach is labor-intensive which may not be applicable for studies with an appreciable amount of root samples. To address this challenge, we developed a new idea to obtain the ephemeral root module. In this new view, root samples were tenderly kneaded by hand and the detached roots are considered as the ephemeral root module. To test this idea, four species with contrasting growing environment were selected and a range of chemicals were determined including C, N, P, Ca, S, Mg, Ba, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cu, V and Li. We found no or little difference of these chemicals in roots by hand-kneading approach from roots by forceps approach. These results suggested that hand-kneading method could be a convenient way to acquire ephemeral root module.
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28
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Geng Y, Wang L, Jin D, Liu H, He JS. Alpine climate alters the relationships between leaf and root morphological traits but not chemical traits. Oecologia 2014; 175:445-55. [PMID: 24633995 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-014-2919-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2013] [Accepted: 03/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Leaves and fine roots are among the most important and dynamic components of terrestrial ecosystems. To what extent plants synchronize their resource capture strategies above- and belowground remains uncertain. Existing results of trait relationships between leaf and root showed great inconsistency, which may be partly due to the differences in abiotic environmental conditions such as climate and soil. Moreover, there is currently little evidence on whether and how the stringent environments of high-altitude alpine ecosystems alter the coordination between above- and belowground. Here we measured six sets of analogous traits for both leaves and fine roots of 139 species collected from Tibetan alpine grassland and Mongolian temperate grassland. N, P and N:P ratio of leaves and fine roots were positively correlated, independent of biogeographic regions, phylogenetic affiliation or climate. In contrast, leaves and fine roots seem to regulate morphological traits more independently. The specific leaf area (SLA)-specific root length (SRL) correlation shifted from negative at sites under low temperature to positive at warmer sites. The cold climate of alpine regions may impose different constraints on shoots and roots, selecting simultaneously for high SLA leaves for rapid C assimilation during the short growing season, but low SRL roots with high physical robustness to withstand soil freezing. In addition, there might be more community heterogeneity in cold soils, resulting in multidirectional strategies of root in resource acquisition. Thus our results demonstrated that alpine climate alters the relationships between leaf and root morphological but not chemical traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Geng
- Department of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, and Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of the Ministry of Education, Peking University, 5 Yiheyuan Road, Beijing, 100871, China
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29
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Terzaghi M, Montagnoli A, Di Iorio A, Scippa GS, Chiatante D. Fine-root carbon and nitrogen concentration of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in Italy Prealps: possible implications of coppice conversion to high forest. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2013; 4:192. [PMID: 23785374 PMCID: PMC3680728 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2013.00192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2013] [Accepted: 05/24/2013] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Fine-root systems represent a very sensitive plant compartment to environmental changes. Gaining further knowledge about their dynamics would improve soil carbon input understanding. This paper investigates C and N concentrations in fine roots in relation to different stand characteristics resulting from conversion of coppiced forests to high forests. In order to evaluate possible interferences due to different vegetative stages of vegetation, fine-root sampling was repeated six times in each stand during the same 2008 growing season. Fine-root sampling was conducted within three different soil depths (0-10; 10-20; and 20-30 cm). Fine-root traits were measured by means of WinRHIZO software which enable us to separate them into three different diameter classes (0-0.5, 0.5-1.0 and 1.0-2.0 mm). The data collected indicate that N concentration was higher in converted stands than in the coppiced stand whereas C concentration was higher in the coppiced stand than in converted stands. Consequently the fine-root C:N ratio was significantly higher in coppiced than in converted stands and showed an inverse relationship with fine-root turnover rate, confirming a significant change of fine-root status after the conversion of a coppice to high forest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Terzaghi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of InsubriaVarese, Italy
| | - Antonio Montagnoli
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of InsubriaVarese, Italy
| | - Antonino Di Iorio
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of InsubriaVarese, Italy
| | - Gabriella S. Scippa
- Department of Science and Technology for Environment and Territory, University of MolisePesche, Italy
| | - Donato Chiatante
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of InsubriaVarese, Italy
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30
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Jia S, McLaughlin NB, Gu J, Li X, Wang Z. Relationships between root respiration rate and root morphology, chemistry and anatomy in Larix gmelinii and Fraxinus mandshurica. TREE PHYSIOLOGY 2013; 33:579-89. [PMID: 23824239 DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpt040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Tree roots are highly heterogeneous in form and function. Previous studies revealed that fine root respiration was related to root morphology, tissue nitrogen (N) concentration and temperature, and varied with both soil depth and season. The underlying mechanisms governing the relationship between root respiration and root morphology, chemistry and anatomy along the root branch order have not been addressed. Here, we examined these relationships of the first- to fifth-order roots for near surface roots (0-10 cm) of 22-year-old larch (Larix gmelinii L.) and ash (Fraxinus mandshurica L.) plantations. Root respiration rate at 18 °C was measured by gas phase O2 electrodes across the first five branching order roots (the distal roots numbered as first order) at three times of the year. Root parameters of root diameter, specific root length (SRL), tissue N concentration, total non-structural carbohydrates (starch and soluble sugar) concentration (TNC), cortical thickness and stele diameter were also measured concurrently. With increasing root order, root diameter, TNC and the ratio of root TNC to tissue N concentration increased, while the SRL, tissue N concentration and cortical proportion decreased. Root respiration rate also monotonically decreased with increasing root order in both species. Cortical tissue (including exodermis, cortical parenchyma and endodermis) was present in the first three order roots, and cross sections of the cortex for the first-order root accounted for 68% (larch) and 86% (ash) of the total cross section of the root. Root respiration was closely related to root traits such as diameter, SRL, tissue N concentration, root TNC : tissue N ratio and stele-to-root diameter proportion among the first five orders, which explained up to 81-94% of variation in the rate of root respiration for larch and up to 83-93% for ash. These results suggest that the systematic variations of root respiration rate within tree fine root system are possibly due to the changes of tissue N concentration and anatomical structure along root branch orders in both tree species, which provide deeper understanding in the mechanism of how root traits affect root respiration in woody plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuxia Jia
- Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, PR China
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31
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Terzaghi M, Montagnoli A, Di Iorio A, Scippa GS, Chiatante D. Fine-root carbon and nitrogen concentration of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in Italy Prealps: possible implications of coppice conversion to high forest. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2013. [PMID: 23785374 DOI: 10.1080/11263504.2012.741626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Fine-root systems represent a very sensitive plant compartment to environmental changes. Gaining further knowledge about their dynamics would improve soil carbon input understanding. This paper investigates C and N concentrations in fine roots in relation to different stand characteristics resulting from conversion of coppiced forests to high forests. In order to evaluate possible interferences due to different vegetative stages of vegetation, fine-root sampling was repeated six times in each stand during the same 2008 growing season. Fine-root sampling was conducted within three different soil depths (0-10; 10-20; and 20-30 cm). Fine-root traits were measured by means of WinRHIZO software which enable us to separate them into three different diameter classes (0-0.5, 0.5-1.0 and 1.0-2.0 mm). The data collected indicate that N concentration was higher in converted stands than in the coppiced stand whereas C concentration was higher in the coppiced stand than in converted stands. Consequently the fine-root C:N ratio was significantly higher in coppiced than in converted stands and showed an inverse relationship with fine-root turnover rate, confirming a significant change of fine-root status after the conversion of a coppice to high forest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Terzaghi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria Varese, Italy
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Fortunel C, Fine PVA, Baraloto C. Leaf, stem and root tissue strategies across 758 Neotropical tree species. Funct Ecol 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2012.02020.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Claire Fortunel
- INRA; UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane; BP 709; 97387; Kourou Cedex; France
| | - Paul V. A. Fine
- Department of Integrative Biology; University of California; Berkeley; California; 94720; USA
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Mueller KE, Hobbie SE, Oleksyn J, Reich PB, Eissenstat DM. Do evergreen and deciduous trees have different effects on net N mineralization in soil? Ecology 2012; 93:1463-72. [DOI: 10.1890/11-1906.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Gu J, Yu S, Sun Y, Wang Z, Guo D. Influence of root structure on root survivorship: an analysis of 18 tree species using a minirhizotron method. Ecol Res 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s11284-011-0833-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Abstract
Historically, ephemeral roots have been equated with 'fine roots' (i.e. all roots of less than an arbitrary diameter, such as 2 mm), but evidence shows that 'fine roots' in woody species are complex branching systems with both rapid-cycling and slow-cycling components. A precise definition of ephemeral roots is therefore needed. Using a branch-order classification, a rhizotron method and sequential sampling of a root cohort, we tested the hypothesis that ephemeral root modules exist within the branching Fraxinus mandshurica (Manchurian ash) root system as distal nonwoody lateral branches, which show anatomical, nutritional and physiological patterns distinct from their woody mother roots. Our results showed that in F. mandshurica, distal nonwoody root branch orders die rapidly as intact lateral branches (or modules). These nonwoody branch orders exhibited highly synchronous changes in tissue nitrogen concentrations and respiration, dominated root turnover, nutrient flux and root respiration, and never underwent secondary development. The ephemeral root modules proposed here may provide a functional basis for differentiating and sampling short-lived absorptive roots in woody plants, and represent a conceptual leap over the traditional coarse-fine root dichotomies based on arbitrary size classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxue Xia
- Department of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences and Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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Fan P, Jiang Y. Nitrogen dynamics differed among the first six root branch orders of Fraxinus mandshurica and Larix gmelinii during short-term decomposition. JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH 2010; 123:433-438. [PMID: 20082111 DOI: 10.1007/s10265-009-0303-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2009] [Accepted: 12/12/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Fine root (<2 mm) decomposition provides a substantial amount of available nitrogen (N) that sustains plant growth. The N release pattern during litter decomposition is generally controlled by initial N concentrations or C/N. Because root branch order and mycorrhizal colonization (related with branch order) are both highly related with different initial chemistry, a hypothesis was proposed that N dynamics during root decomposition varied among different branch orders. Using the litterbag method, decomposition of the first six order roots for Fraxinus mandshurica (an arbuscular mycorrhizal species) and Larix gmelinii (an ectomycorrhizal species) was studied in Northeast China during a 513-day period. Results showed a similar pattern for the two species with contrasting mycorrhizal type: lower-order roots (the lateral root tips), which had an initial C/N of 17-21, continuously released N without any immobilization and maintained a consistently low C/N (<20), whereas higher-order roots, which had an initial C/N of 28-48, periodically immobilized N, leading to a declining C/N over time. In addition, the magnitude of N dynamics is different between species for lower-order roots, but no different for higher-order roots. These results suggest that fine root N dynamics are heterogeneous among branch orders and that species-specific differences depend on the behavior of lower-order roots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingping Fan
- Department of Ecology, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China.
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