In:
Plant and Soil, Springer Science and Business Media LLC, Vol. 473, No. 1-2 ( 2022-04), p. 215-234
Abstract:
Plant investment in sexual reproduction is affected by nitrogen (N): phosphorus (P) stoichiometry. It has been suggested that an important adaptation to strong P limitation is reduced investment in sexual reproduction. We aim to investigate the specific influence of N:P on sexual reproduction performance within and between grassland species. Methods Eleven grassland species were selected in ten plots covering N limitation, co-limitation and P limitation. Nutrients in soil and above-ground biomass were determined, plus soil pH and soil moisture. A range of sexual reproduction traits were measured as a proxy for investment in sexual reproduction. Results At the intraspecific level: compared with N-limited plots, in P-limited/co-limited plots, flowering time was later, flowering period in individuals was shorter, and number of flowers (inflorescences) per individual was smaller. At the interspecific level, in P-limited/co-limited plots, species had a significantly earlier flowering time and a longer seed stalk and seed panicle, than those in N-limited plots. However, flowering period was shorter and number of flowers (inflorescences) per individual was smaller under P limitation/co-limitation. Moreover, significant correlations between soil pH and soil moisture, and sexual reproduction performance of the selected grassland species were also found. Conclusions P limitation/co-limitation restrict the sexual reproduction of grassland species, which may hamper their dispersal capacity. We recommend future studies further analyze the relationship between soil pH and N:P stoichiometry and the influence of soil pH, as well as soil moisture on sexual reproduction performance of grassland species in addition to analyzing N:P stoichiometry.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0032-079X
,
1573-5036
DOI:
10.1007/s11104-021-05230-2
Language:
English
Publisher:
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Publication Date:
2022
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1478535-3
detail.hit.zdb_id:
208908-7
SSG:
12
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