CHANGES IN [N], [P] AND SPECIFIC LEAF AREA OF GREEN LEAVES OF LEYMUS CHINENSIS ALONG NITROGEN, PHOSPHORUS AND WATER GRADIENTS

doi:10.3773/j.issn.1005-264x.2009.03.003

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims Global climate changes, including changes in atmospheric nitrogen (N) and precipi-tation, have altered biogeochemical cycling in ecosystems and are expected to affect plant nutrient economy. Our objective was to investigate the potential effects of global climate changes on nutrient use strategy of species.

Methods We studied leaf-nutrient traits in green leaves of Leymus chinensis in relation to N, phos-phorus (P) and water changes using three pot experiments. The N experiment and the P experiment in-volved additions of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 and 128 g-m-2. The water supply experiment involved additions of 3 600, 4 000, 4 500, 5 143, 6 000, 7 200, 9 000, 12 000, 18 000 and 36 000 ml-pot-1, respectively.

Important findings N addition increased specific leaf area (SLA) and N concentration, but did not significantly affect P concentration. In contrast, P addition increased SLA, N concentration and P concentration. Water addition increased SLA, but decreased N concentration and did not affect P concentration. These results suggested that changes in N, P and water availabilities affect green-leaf nutrients, and thus plant nutrient economy and nutrient cycling in the plant-soil ecosystem.

Key words: leaf nutritional traits, Leymus chinensis, nitrogen gradient, phosphorus gradient, water gradient

HUANG Ju-Ying, YUAN Zhi-You, LI Ling-Hao. CHANGES IN [N], [P] AND SPECIFIC LEAF AREA OF GREEN LEAVES OF LEYMUS CHINENSIS ALONG NITROGEN, PHOSPHORUS AND WATER GRADIENTS[J]. Chin J Plant Ecol, 2009, 33(3): 442-448.

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URL: https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/10.3773/j.issn.1005-264x.2009.03.003

https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/Y2009/V33/I3/442

Figures/Tables 7

Fig.1 Amounts of water supply and equivalent precipita-tion of each water addition gradient Grey plot indicates the amount of water supply Potted line indicates the amount of equivalent precipitation

Fig.2 Responses of nutrient concentration in green leaves of Leymus chinensis to N addition gradient

Fig.3 Responses of specific leaf area (SLA) in green leaves of Leymus chinensis to N addition gradient

Fig.4 Responses of nutrient concentration in green leaves of Leymus chinensis to P addition gradient Notes see Fig.2

Fig.5 Responses of specific leaf area (SLA) in green leaves of Leymus chinensis to P addition gradient

Fig.6 Responses of nutrient concentration in green leaves of Leymus chinensis to water addition gradient Notes see Fig.2

Fig.7 Responses of specific leaf area (SLA) in green leaves of Leymus chinensis to water addition gradient

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