High nitrogen : phosphorus ratios reduce nutrient retention and second-year growth of wetland sedges.

Shifts from nitrogen (N)- to phosphorus (P)-limited growth due to high N deposition may alter the functioning of wetland vegetation. This experiment tested how N vs P deficiency affects the growth and nutrient use of wetland sedges. Five wetland Carex species were grown at nine N : P supply ratios (0.6-405) with two absolute levels of N and P. Biomass and nutrient concentrations were determined after one and two growing seasons. Shoot biomass was maximal at N : P supply ratios of 15-26 after one season but 5-15 after two seasons. Photosynthesis after the first season, second-year growth, leaf longevity, and the fraction of nutrient supply retained by plants over two seasons were all negatively related to N : P supply...

Categories: Publication; Types: Citation, Journal Citation; Tags: Carex (sedge), N : P ratio, New phytologist, biomass allocation, leaf senescence, All tags... nutrient losses, nutrient resorption, photosynthesis, Fewer tags