Warming and Nitrogen Addition Alter Photosynthetic Pigments, Sugars and Nutrients in a Temperate Meadow Ecosystem

Biogenic CuO and ZnO Nanoparticles as Nanofertilizers for Sustainable Growth of Amaranthus hybridus

The biogenic synthesis of CuO and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) was carried out by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The shape, size, and chemical identity of the CuO and ZnO NPs were determined using FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX, and TEM analysis. The study aimed to investigate the effects of the CuO and ZnO NPs on Amaranthus hybridus seed germination and plant growth. Two different fertilizer application modes (hydroponics and foliar) were studied with varying concentrations of CuO (0.06 µM, 0.12 µM) and ZnO (0.12 µM, 0.24 µM) nanoparticles with water control and Hoagland's media control. The hydroponic system of fertilizer application demonstrated better efficiency in terms of plant growth as compared to the foliar application. The agronomic traits, SPAD value, total reducing sugars, antioxidant activity, amount of copper, and zinc ions in root and shoot were analyzed for all experimental plants and found better with the nanoparticle application. The highlight of the study is the application of extremely low concentrations of CuO and ZnO nanoparticles, almost 70% lower than the copper and zinc salts in the Hoagland's medium for improved plant growth. The use of lower concentrations of nanoparticles can prevent their accumulation in the environment and also lower the production cost. The high antioxidant concentration exhibited by the plants treated with CuO and ZnO nanoparticles ensures the enhanced plant's resistance to infections and pests while promoting plant growth.

Two Dominant Herbaceous Species Have Different Plastic Responses to N Addition in a Desert Steppe

Nitrogen (N) deposition rates are increasing in the temperate steppe due to human activities. Understanding the plastic responses of plant dominant species to increased N deposition through the lens of multiple traits is crucial for species selection in the process of vegetation restoration. Here, we measured leaf morphological, physiological, and anatomical traits of two dominant species (Stipa glareosa and Peganum harmala) after 3-year N addition (0, 1, 3, and 6 g N m-2 year-1, designated N0, N1, N3, and N6, respectively) in desert steppe of Inner Mongolia. We separately calculated the phenotypic plasticity index (PI) of each trait under different N treatments and the mean phenotypic plasticity index (MPI) of per species. The results showed that N addition increased the leaf N content (LNC) in both species. N6 increased the contents of soluble protein and proline, and decreased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the peroxidase (POD) activities of S. glareosa, while increased POD and catalase (CAT) activities of P. harmala. N6 increased the palisade tissue thickness (PT), leaf thickness (LT), and palisade-spongy tissue ratio (PT/ST) and decreased the spongy tissue-leaf thickness ratio (ST/LT) of S. glareosa. Furthermore, we found higher physiological plasticity but lower morphological and anatomical plasticity in both species, with greater anatomical plasticity and MPI in S. glareosa than P. harmala. Overall, multi-traits comparison reveals that two dominant desert-steppe species differ in their plastic responses to N addition. The higher plasticity of S. glareosa provides some insight into why S. glareosa has a broad distribution in a desert steppe.

The additive effect of biochar amendment and simulated nitrogen deposition stimulates the plant height, photosynthesis and accumulation of NPK in pecan (Carya illinoinensis) seedlings

This work investigated the effective doses of biochar (BC) amendment with simulated nitrogen deposition on the stimulation of pecan (Carya illinoinensis) growth. A total of nine conditions combining three levels of BC-BC0, 0 t ha^-1 year^-1; BC20, 20 t ha^-1 year^-1; and BC40, 40 t ha^-1 year^-1-and three levels of simulated nitrogen deposition-N0, 0 kg N ha^-1 year^-1; N50, 50 kg N ha^-1 year^-1; and N150, 150 kg N ha^-1 year^-1-were applied throughout 1 year on the pecan-grafted seedlings of cultivar 'Pawnee'. The growth, photosynthesis, chlorophyll and nutrient content in the seedlings were measured. The soil bulk density, pH, nitrogen content and enzymatic activities were also measured. Biochar amendment reduced soil bulk density and elevated soil pH. Meanwhile, aided by BC amendment, the inorganic nitrogen content and enzyme activities increased with increasing doses of nitrogen. In the absence of BC amendment, the seedlings' height, photosynthesis and chlorophyll pigments were only stimulated by a low level of simulated nitrogen deposition (N50), whereas a high level of simulated nitrogen deposition (N150) impeded the growth. The seedlings improved the most under the combined treatment of BC20N150, wherein the seedling heights, photosynthesis and total chlorophyll improved by 22 %, 70 % and 40 %, respectively, compared to those treated solely with BC20. Further increase of nitrogen retention in the soil by the BC40 did not further improve the growth of the seedlings, suggesting the possible mechanisms involve nutrient uptake and usage dynamic in the seedlings. The BC amendment alleviated the antagonist effect from simulated nitrogen deposition that suppressed the absorption of phosphorus, potassium and iron. The effect of applying both BC amendment and simulated nitrogen deposition to the growth of seedlings was additive at fertilizing tree species.

Effects of Warming and N Deposition on the Physiological Performances of Leymus secalinus in Alpine Meadow of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Warming and Nitrogen (N) deposition are key global changes that may affect eco-physiological process of territorial plants. In this paper, we examined the effects of warming, N deposition, and their combination effect on the physiological performances of Leymus secalinus. Four treatments were established in an alpine meadow of Qinghai-Tibetan plateau: control (CK), warming (W), N deposition (N), and warming plus N deposition (NW). Warming significantly decreased the photosynthetic rate (A_net ), stomatal conductance (g_s ), intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i ), and transpiration rate (T_r ), while N deposition and warming plus N deposition significantly increased those parameters of L. secalinus. Warming significantly increased the VPD and L_s , while N deposition and warming plus N deposition had a significant positive effect. Warming negatively reduced the leaf N content, Chla, Chlb, and total Chl content, while N deposition significantly promoted these traits. Warming, N deposition, and their combination significantly increased the activity of SOD, POD, and CAT. Besides, warming and warming plus N deposition significantly increased the MDA content, while N deposition significantly decreased the MDA content. N deposition and warming plus N deposition significantly increased the Rubisco activity, while warming showed no significant effect on Rubisco activity. N deposition and warming plus N deposition significantly increased the Fv/Fm, ΦPSII, qP, and decreased NPQ, while warming significantly decreased the Fv/Fm, ΦPSII, qP, and increased NPQ. N deposition strengthened the relations between g_s , Chl, Chla, Chlb, Rubisco activity, and A_net . Under warming, only g_s showed a significantly positive relation with A_net . Our findings suggested that warming could impair the photosynthetic potential of L. secalinus enhanced by N deposition. Additionally, the combination of warming and N deposition still tend to lead positive effects on L. secalinus.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Alter Plant and Soil C:N:P Stoichiometries Under Warming and Nitrogen Input in a Semiarid Meadow of China

Ecological stoichiometry has been widely used to determine how plant-soil systems respond to global change and to reveal which factors limit plant growth. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can increase plants' uptake of nutrients such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), thereby altering plant and soil stoichiometries. To understand the regulatory effect of AMF feedback on plants and soil stoichiometry under global change, a microcosm experiment was conducted with warming and N input. The C₄ grass Setaria viridis, C₃ grass Leymus chinensis, and Chenopodiaceae species Suaeda corniculata were studied. The results showed that the mycorrhizal benefits for the C₄ grass S. viridis were greater than those for the C₃ grass L. chinensis, whereas for the Chenopodiaceae species S. corniculata, AMF symbiosis was antagonistic. Under N input and a combination of warming and N input, AMF significantly decreased the N:P ratios of all three species. Under N input, the soil N content and the N:P ratio were decreased significantly in the presence of AMF, whereas the soil C:N ratio was increased. These results showed that AMF can reduce the P limitation caused by N input and improve the efficiency of nutrient utilization, slow the negative influence of global change on plant growth, and promote grassland sustainability.