Barley shoot biomass responds strongly to N:P stoichiometry and intraspecific competition, whereas roots only alter their foraging

Abstract

Background and AimsPlants respond to various environmental stimuli, and root systems are highly responsive to the availability and distribution of nutrients in the soil. Root system responses to the limitation of either nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) are well documented, but how the early root system responds to (co-) limitation of one (N or P) or both (N and P) in a stoichiometric framework is not well known despite its relevance in agriculture. In addition, how plant-plant competition (here intra-specific) alters plant responses to N:P stoichiometry is understudied. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of N:P stoichiometry and competition on root system responses and overall plant performance. MethodsPlants (Hordeum vulgare L.) were grown in rhizoboxes for 24 days in the presence or absence of competition (three vs. one plant per rhizobox), and fertilized with different combinations of N:P (low N+low P, low N+high P, high N+low P, and high N+high P). Key ResultsShoot biomass was highest when both N and P were provided in high amounts. In competition, shoot biomass decreased on average by 22%. Interestingly, N:P stoichiometry and competition had no clear effect on root biomass. However, we found distinct root responses in relation to biomass allocation across depths. Specific root length depended on the identity of limiting nutrient (N or P) and presence/absence of competition. Plants rooted deeper when N was the most limiting compared to shallower rooting when P was the most limiting nutrient. ConclusionsOverall, our study sheds light on the early plant responses to plant-plant competition and stoichiometric availability of two macronutrients most limiting plant performance. With low N and P availability during early growth, higher investments in root system development can significantly trade off with aboveground productivity, and strong intra-specific competition can further strengthen such effects.