Root and mycorrhizal nutrient acquisition strategies in the succession of subtropical forests under N and P limitation
Abstract Background Nutrient limitation is a universal phenomenon in terrestrial ecosystems. Root and mycorrhizal are critical to plant nutrient absorption in nutrient-limited ecosystems. However, how they are modified by N and P limitations with advancing vegetation successions in karst forests rem...
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2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-024-06016-1 |
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| author | Xue Wu Yueming Liang Wenwu Zhao Fujing Pan |
| author_facet | Xue Wu Yueming Liang Wenwu Zhao Fujing Pan |
| author_sort | Xue Wu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Nutrient limitation is a universal phenomenon in terrestrial ecosystems. Root and mycorrhizal are critical to plant nutrient absorption in nutrient-limited ecosystems. However, how they are modified by N and P limitations with advancing vegetation successions in karst forests remains poorly understood. The present study compared the diversity indices, composition, and co-occurrence network of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) between grassland, shrubland, shrub-tree forest, and tree forest in subtropical karst forests, as well as soil nutrients and fine root functional traits (e.g., specific root length (SRL), specific root area (SRA), diameter, biomass, and N and P contents). Results The fine roots diameter, biomass, and N and P contents increased with advancing succession, whereas SRL and SRA decreased. Network complexity and Richness and Chao1 indices of AMF increased from grassland to shrub-tree forest but decreased in tree forest. The fine roots N and P contents were positively related to their diameter and biomass, soil nutrients, and AMF composition but were negatively correlated with SRL and SRA. Moreover, these two parameters increased with the increase of soil nutrients. The variations in fine roots N and P contents were mainly explained by soil nutrients and fine root functional traits in grassland and by the interactions of soil nutrients, fine root functional traits, and AMF in the other three stages. Additionally, the interactive explanation with AMF increased from shrubland to shrub-tree forest but decreased in tree forest. Conclusions Our results indicated that mycorrhizal strategy might be the main nutrient acquisition strategy under N and P co-limitation. In contrast, the root strategy is the main one when an individual is subject to limitations in N or P in karst ecosystems. Root and mycorrhizal nutrient acquisition strategies are generally mutualistic, mycorrhizal strategy enhances plant nutrient acquisition under N and P co-limitation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-018c2949c2734fc59f6f8a51b11a15c3 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2229 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Plant Biology |
| spelling | doaj-art-018c2949c2734fc59f6f8a51b11a15c32025-01-05T12:12:59ZengBMCBMC Plant Biology1471-22292025-01-0125111310.1186/s12870-024-06016-1Root and mycorrhizal nutrient acquisition strategies in the succession of subtropical forests under N and P limitationXue Wu0Yueming Liang1Wenwu Zhao2Fujing Pan3Guangxi Key Laboratory of Theory and Technology for Environmental Pollution Control, Guilin University of TechnologyKarst Dynamics Laboratory, Ministry of Natural Resources, Institute of Karst Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological SciencesState Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal UniversityGuangxi Key Laboratory of Theory and Technology for Environmental Pollution Control, Guilin University of TechnologyAbstract Background Nutrient limitation is a universal phenomenon in terrestrial ecosystems. Root and mycorrhizal are critical to plant nutrient absorption in nutrient-limited ecosystems. However, how they are modified by N and P limitations with advancing vegetation successions in karst forests remains poorly understood. The present study compared the diversity indices, composition, and co-occurrence network of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) between grassland, shrubland, shrub-tree forest, and tree forest in subtropical karst forests, as well as soil nutrients and fine root functional traits (e.g., specific root length (SRL), specific root area (SRA), diameter, biomass, and N and P contents). Results The fine roots diameter, biomass, and N and P contents increased with advancing succession, whereas SRL and SRA decreased. Network complexity and Richness and Chao1 indices of AMF increased from grassland to shrub-tree forest but decreased in tree forest. The fine roots N and P contents were positively related to their diameter and biomass, soil nutrients, and AMF composition but were negatively correlated with SRL and SRA. Moreover, these two parameters increased with the increase of soil nutrients. The variations in fine roots N and P contents were mainly explained by soil nutrients and fine root functional traits in grassland and by the interactions of soil nutrients, fine root functional traits, and AMF in the other three stages. Additionally, the interactive explanation with AMF increased from shrubland to shrub-tree forest but decreased in tree forest. Conclusions Our results indicated that mycorrhizal strategy might be the main nutrient acquisition strategy under N and P co-limitation. In contrast, the root strategy is the main one when an individual is subject to limitations in N or P in karst ecosystems. Root and mycorrhizal nutrient acquisition strategies are generally mutualistic, mycorrhizal strategy enhances plant nutrient acquisition under N and P co-limitation.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-024-06016-1Functional traitsKarst ecosystemMycorrhizal strategyRoot strategyVegetation succession |
| spellingShingle | Xue Wu Yueming Liang Wenwu Zhao Fujing Pan Root and mycorrhizal nutrient acquisition strategies in the succession of subtropical forests under N and P limitation BMC Plant Biology Functional traits Karst ecosystem Mycorrhizal strategy Root strategy Vegetation succession |
| title | Root and mycorrhizal nutrient acquisition strategies in the succession of subtropical forests under N and P limitation |
| title_full | Root and mycorrhizal nutrient acquisition strategies in the succession of subtropical forests under N and P limitation |
| title_fullStr | Root and mycorrhizal nutrient acquisition strategies in the succession of subtropical forests under N and P limitation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Root and mycorrhizal nutrient acquisition strategies in the succession of subtropical forests under N and P limitation |
| title_short | Root and mycorrhizal nutrient acquisition strategies in the succession of subtropical forests under N and P limitation |
| title_sort | root and mycorrhizal nutrient acquisition strategies in the succession of subtropical forests under n and p limitation |
| topic | Functional traits Karst ecosystem Mycorrhizal strategy Root strategy Vegetation succession |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-024-06016-1 |
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