Effects of nitrogen, phosphorus and water supply on litter decomposition quality of senescing leaves of Leymus chinensis

doi:10.3724/SP.J.1258.2011.00808

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims Changes in atmospheric nitrogen (N) and precipitation are two important aspects of global climate change. They have altered biogeochemical cycling in ecosystems and are expected to affect plant nutrient use strategy and litter decomposition.

Methods We used three pot experiments, i.e., N addition (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0, 16.0, 32.0, 64.0 and 128.0 g N∙m^-2), phosphorus (P) addition (same levels) and water addition (3 600, 3 900, 4 500, 5 100, 6 000, 7 200, 9 000, 12 000, 18 000 and 36 000 mL∙pot^-1), to study N and P concentrations and C : N and C : P in senescing leaves of Leymus chinensis.

Important findingsN addition increased N concentration and decreased C : N, but did not significantly affect P concentration and C : P. P addition increased N and P concentrations and decreased C : N and C : P. Water addition decreased N and P concentrations and increased C : N and C : P. Therefore, changes in N, P and water availabilities affect litter decomposition quality and have effects on nutrient cycling in the plant-soil ecosystem.

Key words: Leymus chinensis, litter decomposition quality, nitrogen supply, phosphorus supply, water supply

HUANG Ju-Ying, YU Hai-Long, YUAN Zhi-You, LI Ling-Hao. Effects of nitrogen, phosphorus and water supply on litter decomposition quality of senescing leaves of Leymus chinensis[J]. Chin J Plant Ecol, 2011, 35(8): 808-815.

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URL: https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/10.3724/SP.J.1258.2011.00808

https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/Y2011/V35/I8/808

Figures/Tables 6

Fig. 1 Responses of N and P concentrations in senescing leaves of Leymus chinensis to N addition (mean ± SE).

Fig. 2 Responses of N and P concentrations in senescing leaves of Leymus chinensis to P addition (mean ± SE).

Fig. 3 Responses of N and P concentrations in senescing leaves of Leymus chinensis to water addition (mean ± SE).

Fig. 4 Responses of C : N and C : P in senescing leaves of Leymus chinensis to N addition (mean ± SE).

Fig. 5 Responses of C : N and C : P in senescing leaves of Leymus chinensis to P addition (mean ± SE).

Fig. 6 Responses of C : N and C : P in senescing leaves of Leymus chinensis to water addition (mean ± SE).

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