Effects of defoliation timing on plant nutrient resorption and hay production in a semi-arid steppe

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tongrui Zhang ◽  
Frank Yonghong Li ◽  
Hao Wang ◽  
Lin Wu ◽  
Chunjun Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Cycling ◽  
Nutrient Resorption ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Plant Nutrient ◽  
Resorption Efficiency ◽  
Nutrient Return ◽  
Peak Biomass ◽  
Arid Steppe ◽  
Semi Arid

Abstract Aims Nutrient resorption is a key plant nutrient conservation strategy, and its response to environmental and management changes is linked to nutrient cycling and production of ecosystems. Defoliation is a major pathway of mowing affecting plant nutrient resorption and production in grasslands, while the effect of defoliation timing has not been unexplored. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of defoliation timing on plant nutrient resorption and production in a steppe ecosystem. Methods We conducted a field experiment in a semi-arid steppe of Inner Mongolia including four treatments: early defoliation, peak defoliation, late defoliation and non-defoliation. We measured plant nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) resorption at species and community levels, and quantified plant N and P fluxes in resorption, litter return and hay output. Plant production in the mowing system was assessed by hay production and quality. Important Findings Peak and late defoliation, but not early defoliation, reduced plant community N and P resorption proficiency (RP); and late defoliation reduced N resorption efficiency (RE) but not P resorption efficiency. Peak and late defoliation, but not early defoliation, reduced plant nutrient resorption flux and litter nutrient return flux. Defoliation timing did not alter root nutrient accumulation as nutrient uptake from soil likely compensated the deficit of nutrient resorption. Peak defoliation had the highest hay production and quality, while early defoliation had the lowest. Our results provide new insights into the nutrient cycling in mowing grassland, and imply that the mowing timing can be used as a tool to mediate the balance between conservation and production of steppes, and the early mowing before plant peak biomass period is recommended for conservation of the steppes while keeping sustainable pastoral production.

scholarly journals Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium Resorption Responses of Alfalfa to Increasing Soil Water and P Availability in a Semi-Arid Environment

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng Kong ◽  
Jing Kang ◽  
Cheng-Long Han ◽  
Yan-Jie Gu ◽  
Kadambot H.M Siddique ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Nutrient Resorption ◽  
P Availability ◽  
P Fertilization ◽  
Resorption Efficiency ◽  
P Concentration ◽  
K Concentration ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Semi Arid

In semi-arid areas, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is widely grown, but its growth is often restricted due to limited rainfall and soil nutrients, particularly phosphorus (P). Nutrient resorption is an effective strategy for dealing with nutrient shortages. Alleviation of these limited resources using film mulch and P fertilization—which are common practices in semi-arid areas—can affect the internal recycling of such nutrients. Little is known about such effects in alfalfa and the relationship between resorption efficiency and forage yield. We conducted a two-year field experiment in the semi-arid Loess Plateau of China using film mulch and P fertilization to investigate the response to long-term increasing soil water and P availability on leaf nitrogen (N), P, and potassium (K) concentrations and nutrient resorption characteristics in alfalfa. In green leaves, mulching significantly increased P concentration by an average of 5.5% but it had no significant effect on N concentration over two years, and it decreased K concentration by 16.1% in 2017. P fertilization significantly increased N concentrations to a greater degree in 2018 (8.1%) than 2017 (1.6%). P fertilization also significantly increased P concentrations by an average of 34.1% over two years. In contrast, P fertilization significantly decreased K concentration in the mulched treatment by an average of 17.3% in 2017 and 21.8% in 2018, but it had no effect in the no-mulch treatment. In senescent leaves, mulching significantly increased N concentration by an average of 3.9% and P concentration by an average of 16.7%, but it had no significant effect on K concentration over two years, while P fertilization significantly decreased N and K concentrations over two years by an average of 7.5%, and 32.8%, respectively. P fertilization significantly increased senesced P concentration by an average of 11.9% in 2017 and 17.5% in 2018; and year × mulching × P fertilization had a significant interaction on senesced leaf P concentration. For resorption efficiency, mulching decreased P resorption efficiency by an average of 3.0%, but it had no impact on N or K resorption efficiency, while P fertilization increased the N, P, and K resorption efficiencies in alfalfa by an average of 6.8%, 6.2%, and 76.4% over two years, respectively. Interactive effects of mulching and P fertilization were found on P and K resorption efficiencies over time. In addition, N and K resorption efficiencies were significantly higher in 2018 than in 2017. The application of P fertilizer without mulching resulted in positive correlations between forage yield and N, P, and K resorption efficiencies, but no correlations were observed under film mulch. That is, mulching changed the relationship between forage yield and N, P, and K resorption efficiencies in alfalfa, suggesting that N, P, and K resorption efficiencies may not be related to high yield. Our results provide new insights into the role of nutrient resorption in alfalfa in response to increasing soil water and P availability and the relationship between resorption efficiency and forage yield, which will help us to improve alfalfa yield in semi-arid regions.

Mangrove species maintains constant nutrient resorption efficiency under eutrophic conditions

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-38
Author(s):  
Lili Wei ◽  
Shuh-Ji Kao ◽  
Chaoxiang Liu
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Availability ◽  
Nutrient Enrichment ◽  
Nutrient Resorption ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Resorption Efficiency ◽  
Mangrove Species ◽  
Nutrient Resorption Efficiency ◽  
Black Mangrove ◽  
Nutrient Conservation

AbstractMangrove species have developed nutrient conservation mechanisms to adapt to oligotrophic intertidal environments. However, nutrient enrichment occurs worldwide, particularly in estuarine and coastal regions. Mangrove species may change their adaptive strategies if nutrient availability increases substantially. To understand how nutrient resorption (a major nutrient conservation strategy) responds to nutrient enrichment, a common mangrove species in China, Aegiceras corniculatum (black mangrove), was selected, and saplings were cultivated in nutrient-enriched soils. After one year, neither N nor P resorption efficiency showed significant variations with nutrient availability and there was no difference between N and P resorption efficiency. Overall, nutrient resorption efficiency of A. corniculatum remained at ∼40%, lower than the global average levels of evergreen plants (∼50%), indicating incomplete resorption of nutrients. Incomplete resorption was also evidenced by the nutrient concentrations, resorption proficiency and N: P ratio of plant leaves. Collectively, these results indicate that black mangrove can maintain constant nutrient resorption efficiency under eutrophic conditions.

scholarly journals Biochar Amendment Alters The Nutrient-Use Strategy of Moso Bamboo Under N Additions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinpei Gao ◽  
Quan Li ◽  
Junbo Zhang ◽  
Kunkai Cui ◽  
Zhizhuang Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Moso Bamboo ◽  
Nutrient Resorption ◽  
Plant Nutrient ◽  
N Addition ◽  
Resorption Efficiency ◽  
Resorption Proficiency ◽  
Nutrient Use ◽  
N Resorption ◽  
Biochar Amendment ◽  
N Additions

Abstract Background: While we know that N and biochar fertilizers affect soil nutrient concentrations and plant nutrient uptake, our understanding of how combined applications of N and biochar affect plant nutrient resorption in plantations is largely inadequate. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of N (0, 30, 60, and 90 kg N ha-1 yr-1 or N0, N30, N60, and N90), in combination with biochar (0, 20, and 40 t biochar ha-1 or BC0, BC20, and BC40) on N and P resorption by young and mature bamboo plants as well as the relationship between nutrient resorption and leaf nutrient and soil concentrations. Fresh and senescent leaf samples were collected in July 2016 and March 2017, respectively.Results: Young bamboo showed significantly greater foliar N resorption efficiency (NRE) and P resorption efficiency (PRE) than mature bamboo. N additions alone significantly increased the N resorption proficiency (NRP) and P resorption proficiency (PRP) but decreased the NRE and PRE of both young and mature bamboo. In both the N-free (control) and N addition treatments, biochar amendments significantly reduced the foliar NRE and PRE of young bamboo but had the opposite effect on mature bamboo. Foliar NRE and PRE were significantly correlated with fresh leaf N and P concentrations and soil total P concentration. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that N addition inhibits plant nutrient resorption and alters the nutrient-use strategy of young and mature bamboo from “conservative consumption” to “resource spending.” Furthermore, biochar amendment enhanced the negative priming effect of N addition on nutrient resorption of young bamboo but reduced the negative effect on that of mature bamboo. This study provides new insights into the combined effects of N and biochar additions on the nutrient resorption of Moso bamboo and may assist in improving fertilization strategies in Moso bamboo plantations.

Biomass allocation between leaf and stem regulates community-level plant nutrient resorption efficiency response to nitrogen and phosphorus additions in a temperate wetland of Northeast China

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Zhang ◽  
Gui-sheng Yang ◽  
Fu-Xi Shi ◽  
Rong Mao
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Nutrient Availability ◽  
Northeast China ◽  
Community Level ◽  
Nutrient Resorption ◽  
Plant Nutrient ◽  
Resorption Efficiency ◽  
Resorption Proficiency ◽  
Nutrient Resorption Efficiency ◽  
Temperate Wetland

Abstract Aims Nutrient resorption is a crucial component of plant nutrient use strategy, yet the controls on the responses of community-level nutrient resorption to altered nutrient availability remain unclear. Here, we addressed two questions: Did leaf and stem nutrient resorption respond consistently to increased nutrient availability? Was community-level plant nutrient resorption response after nutrient enrichment driven by the intra-specific plasticity in plant nutrient resorption or by altered species composition? Methods We investigated the changes in aboveground biomass, and leaf and stem nutrient resorption of individual species after three-year nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) additions, and assessed community-level nutrient resorption response to three-year nutrient additions in a graminoid-dominated temperate wetland, Northeast China. Important findings For both leaves and stems, N and P additions did not affect nutrient resorption efficiency, but they decreased respective nutrient resorption proficiency. Similarly, community-level N and P resorption proficiency declined with respective nutrient addition. Community-level N and P resorption efficiency was reduced by N addition primarily due to altered community composition and declined leaf:stem ratio. These results suggest that leaf and stem nutrient resorption processes exhibit consistent responses to increasing nutrient availability in the temperate wetland. These findings highlight the importance of altered species composition and biomass allocation between leaf and stem in driving community-level nutrient resorption response to nutrient enrichment.

Nutrient resorption and stoichiometric responses of poplar (Populus deltoids) plantations to N addition in a coastal region of eastern China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalong Jiang ◽  
Qian Li ◽  
Qinghong Geng ◽  
Menghua Zhang ◽  
Chonghua Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eastern China ◽  
Coastal Region ◽  
Nutrient Resorption ◽  
Green Leaf ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
N Addition ◽  
Resorption Efficiency ◽  
Nutrient Resorption Efficiency ◽  
Poplar Plantations ◽  
Populus Deltoids

Abstract Aims Leaf nutrient resorption is sensitive to changes in soil nutrients. However, the effects of N deposition on nutrient resorption efficiency (NuRE) in plant macro-nutrients remain unclear. Poplar (Populus deltoids) is one of the most extensively cultivated hardwood species worldwide. We explored general patterns and dominant drivers of NuRE and stoichiometry of poplar plantations in response to N addition. Methods We conducted a 4-year N-addition experiment to explore NuRE and stoichiometric responses to N addition in two poplar (Populus deltoids) plantations (8- and 12-year-old stands) in a coastal region of eastern China. We measured soil and foliar (green and senesced leaves) concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) for a series of N addition treatments including N0 (0 kg N ha ‒1 yr ‒1), N1 (50 kg N ha ‒1 yr ‒1), N2 (100 kg N ha ‒1 yr ‒1), N3 (150 kg N ha ‒1 yr ‒1), and N4 (300 kg N ha ‒1 yr ‒1). Important Findings Consistent for (both) 8- and 12-year-old stands, N addition did not affect the NuRE and stoichiometry (with the exception of CaRE and CaRE:MgRE ratio). NRE-PRE scaling slopes were consistently less than 1.0 under N addition. These results suggest that NRE generally decouples from PRE within each N treatment. Moreover, these results point to robust control of green leaf nutritional status on nutrient resorption processes as indicated by the positive relationships between nutrient resorption efficiency and green leaf nutrient concentrations. Our findings provided a direct evidence that growth in 12-year-old poplar plantations was N-limited in a coastal region of eastern China.

Seasonal patterns of the abundance of ground-dwelling arthropod guilds and their responses to livestock grazing in a semi-arid steppe

Pedobiologia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 85-86 ◽  
pp. 150711
Author(s):  
Jianwei Cheng ◽  
Frank Yonghong Li ◽  
Xinmin Liu ◽  
Xinyu Wang ◽  
Dong Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Seasonal Patterns ◽  
Arid Steppe ◽  
Semi Arid

Tracing the nitrogen, sulfur, and carbon released from plant residues in a soil/plant system

Soil Research ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yothin Konboon ◽  
Graeme Blair ◽  
Rod Lefroy ◽  
Anthony Whitbread
Keyword(s):  
Triticum Aestivum ◽  
Nutrient Cycling ◽  
Wheat Straw ◽  
Medicago Truncatula ◽  
Plant Residue ◽  
Plant Residues ◽  
Plant Nutrient ◽  
N Loss ◽  
Leaching Losses ◽  
Nutrient Demand

Matching plant residue mineralisation rate to plant nutrient demand is one way of increasing the efficiency of nutrient cycling. A glasshouse experiment was conducted in a Soloth soil with a C4d13 C signature using drained pots to examine the effect on the yield of Japanese millet (Echinochloa frumentocea) and the fate of 15 N, 35 S, and C (using d 13 C shift) from the C 3 plants Flemingia macrophylla, Medicago truncatula hay, and wheat (Triticum aestivum) straw applied at 3 t/ha in the presence of N and NPKS fertiliser. The yield of Japanese millet at 91 days was highest where medic hay had been added (13.7 g/pot) and lowest where wheat straw was used (11.5 g/pot). Recovery of 35 S by the millet was highest in the wheat straw and medic hay treatments (mean 11.5%), whilst recovery of 15 N was highest from medic hay (15.8%). Leaching losses of 35 S were highest in the Flemingia and medic treatments (mean 8.1%), and 15 N loss in leachate was highest in the medic hay treatment (6.6%). A maximum of 1.5% of the C added in residues was recovered in the leachate of the medic hay treatment.

Controls of surface soil moisture spatial patterns and their temporal stability in a semi-arid steppe

2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (18) ◽  
pp. 2507-2519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Zhao ◽  
S. Peth ◽  
X. Y. Wang ◽  
H. Lin ◽  
R. Horn
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Temporal Stability ◽  
Surface Soil Moisture ◽  
Arid Steppe ◽  
Semi Arid

scholarly journals Effects of Nitrogen Addition and Reproductive Effort on Nutrient Resorption of a Sand-Fixing Shrub

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilong Wang ◽  
Yulin Li ◽  
Yulong Duan ◽  
Jie Lian ◽  
Yongqing Luo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Effort ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Nutrient Resorption ◽  
N Recovery ◽  
N Addition ◽  
Resorption Efficiency ◽  
Temporal Separation ◽  
N Resorption ◽  
N Resorption Efficiency ◽  
Leaf N

Caragana microphylla is a sand-fixing leguminous shrub with strong resistance to drought, cold, and low soil fertility. As a result, it plays an essential role in combating desertification in northern China, but little is known about its nutrient budget. Nutrient resorption is a key process in plant nutrient conservation and has marked ecological implications for plant fitness and ecosystem nutrient cycling. We studied the effects of both nitrogen (N) addition and reproductive effort on leaf N resorption of C. microphylla in a temperate semi-arid sandy land in China. The results showed that sprouting of the early leaves from over-wintered buds employs a strategy for slow returns on nutrient investment with smaller specific leaf area (SLA) and higher N resorption efficiency, whereas the late leaves, which sprout from current-year buds, employ a strategy for quick returns on nutrient investment with higher SLA and lower N resorption efficiency. N addition significantly increased the N resorption efficiency from early leaves while exerting no impact on late leaves, suggesting that the increased N recovery from early leaves is done to sustain the high N demands of late leaves. Reproductive effort did not affect the N resorption from early or late leaves due to the temporal separation between fruit production and leaf senescence. Taken together, our results demonstrate that C. microphylla has evolved different investment strategies for leaf N in early and late leaves to conserve nutrients and facilitate its growth in desertified environments.

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