Effects of N addition on nutrient resorption efficiency and C:N:P stoichiometric characteristics in Stipa bungeana of steppe grasslands in the Loess Plateau, China

doi:10.3724/SP.J.1258.2011.00801

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims Our purpose was to study the effects of deposition of nitrogen (N) on plant carbon (C), N, phosphorus (P), N and P nutrient resorption efficiencies, C : N : P stoichiometry and their internal relations on Stipa bungeanaof Loess Plateau natural grassland.

Methods Deposition of N was simulated by N fertilization at four levels. Changes of C, N and P contents were detected, and C : N : P and the N and P nutrient resorption efficiencies were estimated for S. bungeana.

Important findings The C and N contents of leaves and N and P contents of standing litter increased significantly with N addition. However, the P content of leaves and C content of standing litter did not response to N addition. The N and P resorption efficiencies of S.bungeana decreased significantly with N addition. When there was no N addition, N and P resorption efficiencies were highest (60.35% and 71.75%, respectively). Meanwhile, the P resorption efficiency was greater than that of N in same treatment. The C : N ofS. bungeana decreased gradually with N addition, but the N : P and C : P increased with N addition. Values of the N : P were 18.25-29.01. The results showed the Loess Plateau natural grassland was mainly limited by P, and the strength of P limitation was enhanced with N deposition. Higher N and P resorption efficiencies were an important strategy for S. bungeana to survive soil infertility.

Key words: Key words ecological stoichiometry, Loess Plateau, nitrogen addition, nutrient limitation, nutrient resorption efficiency

AN Zhuo, NIU De-Cao, WEN Hai-Yan, YANG Yi, ZHANG Hong-Rong, FU Hua. Effects of N addition on nutrient resorption efficiency and C:N:P stoichiometric characteristics in Stipa bungeana of steppe grasslands in the Loess Plateau, China[J]. Chin J Plant Ecol, 2011, 35(8): 801-807.

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URL: https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/10.3724/SP.J.1258.2011.00801

https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/Y2011/V35/I8/801

Figures/Tables 5

Table 1 Species composition and its importance value of community in experimental site

物种 Species	重要值 Importance value
长芒草 Stipa bungeana	0.401
赖草 Leymus secalinus	0.181
阿尔泰狗娃花 Heteropappus altaicus	0.196
米口袋 Gueldenstaedtia verna	0.069
黄花蒿 Artemisia annua	0.073

Table 2 Soil nutrient status before N addition

土层 Soil layer (cm)	有机碳 Organic carbon (%)	全氮 Total nitrogen (%)	全磷 Total phosphorus (%)	全钾 Total potassium (%)	pH
0-10	0.791	0.094	0.066	1.907	8.39
10-20	0.727	0.089	0.066	1.882	8.44
20-40	0.679	0.081	0.068	1.835	8.42

Fig. 1 Effects of nitrogen (N) addition on carbon (C), N and phosphorus (P) contents of leaves and standing litter of Stipa bungeana (mean ± SE). N0, N1, N2 and N3 indicate that nitrogen addition were 0, 4.6, 9.2 and 13.8 g N·m -2·a-1, respectively. Different small letters indicate significant difference between treatments at p < 0.05. * indicates significant difference between leaves and standing litter at p < 0.05.

Fig. 2 Effects of nitrogen (N) addition on N, P resorption efficiencies of Stipa bungeana (mean ± SE). N0, N1, N2 and N3 indicate that nitrogen addition were 0, 4.6, 9.2 and 13.8 g N·m -2·a-1, respectively. Different small letters indicate significant difference between treatments at p < 0.05. * indicate significant difference between N and P resorption efficiencies at p < 0.05.

Fig. 3 Effects of nitrogen (N) addition on C : N, C : P and N : P of Stipa bungeana leaves (mean ± SE). N0, N1, N2 and N3 indicate that nitrogen addition were 0, 4.6, 9.2 and 13.8 g N·m -2·a-1, respectively. Different small letters indicate significant difference between treatments at p < 0.05.

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