Plant functional traits shape growth rate for xerophytic shrubs

Abstract

Trade-offs exist for xerophytic shrubs between functional traits, involving in water loss and assimilate accumulation, can contribute to its survival and growth rate regulation in arid environments. However, growth analysis based on plant functional traits has been focused on the study of herbs and woody species. It is still unclear how the functional traits of xerophytic shrubs regulate their growth rate.• In this study, we selectedeight xerophytic shrubs as samples to analyze the regulation process of the functional traits of shrubs on growth rate. Plants were cultivated for three years, and three harvests (every one year) were carried out. Factors explaining between-species differences in relative growth rate (RGR) varied, depending on whether different ages were considered.• The results showed that RGR was positively correlated with net assimilation rate, but there was a significant negative correlation with leaf area ration (LAR), specific leaf area (SLA), and leaf biomass ratio in the age 1. However, in the age 2, RGR showed a significant positive correlation with the morphological traits (i.e., leaf area ration and specific leaf area), but not with physiological traits (i.e., net assimilation rate) and leaf biomass allocation. • Our results suggested that the fluctuation of environmental factors affects the regulation path of the plant functional traits on RGR of xerophytic shrubs. However, the analysis of causality model showed that no matter in which age, net assimilation rate and leaf area ration principally drive the variation in RGR among xerophytic shrubs.

Bacillus benefits the competitive growth of Ambrosia artemisiifolia by increasing available nutrient levels

“…Plant functional traits is related with carbon fixation and nutrient absorption abilities, which shapes plant growth ( Weidenhamer and Callaway, 2010 ; Choudhury et al., 2022 ; Zhang et al., 2022 ). An increasing body of research shows that invasive plants generally have quite different functional traits from native species, such as higher specific leaf area, leaf area index and photosynthetic rate, which is related to invasion success ( Suding et al., 2004 ; te Beest et al., 2015 ).…”

The leguminous Hedysarum shrubs effectively drive the diversity and structural composition of soil bacterial community through rhizocompartments in the process of desertification reversal

“…Vegetation restoration measures significantly drive the interaction between regional climate and microenvironment (Cardinale et al, 2010; Marouane et al, 2021; van der Putten et al, 2013). Soil with plant pathogens have a highly complex and significant impact on the improvement in the desert ecosystem (Bennett & Klironomos, 2019; Zhang, Niu, et al, 2022; Zhang, Tian, et al, 2022). Soil microorganisms are vital for the health of desert ecosystems because they regulate plant growth, recycle nutrients, and boost soil fertility.…”

“…Soil microorganisms are vital for the health of desert ecosystems because they regulate plant growth, recycle nutrients, and boost soil fertility. The climate of the desert has caused a dramatic reduction in plant variety and community density (Bardgett & van der Putten, 2014; de Vries et al, 2018; Lefcheck et al, 2015; Zhang, Niu, et al, 2022; Zhang, Tian, et al, 2022). Enhanced understanding about plant–soil–microbe interactions in semiarid and arid ecosystems can help with developing more effective approaches for preventing desertification.…”

“…Asexually reproducing and spreading its thin roots toward the soil's surface, H. mongolicum forms dense clumps (Lu et al, 2022; Zhou et al, 2020). H. scoparium is a shrub grown with cuttings that is always deep root system (Xie et al, 2017; Zhang, Niu, et al, 2022; Zhang, Tian, et al, 2022). Growing a plant with a deep root system is more costly than growing another with a shallow root system, but the benefits to the plant in terms of water consumption and nutrient absorption are substantial (Gregory, 2006; McCormack & Guo, 2014).…”

“…The study has reported that the “fertile island effect” in deserts can develop significantly when clumped shrub species emerge as a new component of the ecosystem at a larger scale than solitary shrubs (Tölgyesi et al, 2020). Moreover, the width and size of the plant canopy has a significant effect regarding the microbial communities and soil properties (Zhang, Niu, et al, 2022; Zhang, Tian, et al, 2022). H. mongolicum and H. scoparium roots can be invaded (or induced to invade) by rhizobia in soil, which then forms root nodules.…”