Seasonal phosphorus and nitrogen cycling in four Japanese cool-temperate forest species

Abstract

Purpose In plant-soil systems, phosphorus partitioning during the annual cycle related to nitrogen partitioning remains largely unknown. The present study aims at assessing the soil-plant P allocation patterns of four tree species along four phenological stages and its relationship with tissues and soil N concentrations. Methods Cryptomeria japonica, Larix kaempferi, Fagus crenata and Robinia pseudoacacia trees were selected to sample coarse roots, sapwood, foliage, litter and soil during four phenological stages where total and Olsen extractable P and nitrogen content were measured respectively. Results Intra- and inter plant tissue nitrogen correlated well with phosphorus during the four phenological stages, especially root nitrogen. Fagus and Robinia were phosphorus limited, Larix was nitrogen limited and Cryptomeria co-limited. All species reabsorbed phosphorus and nitrogen from foliage prior to leaf abscission and stored nitrogen in roots and sapwood. Phosphorus storage was solely found in sapwood of Robinia. Soil dissolved ammonium correlated positively with nitrogen reabsorption efficiency during the green leaf stage, while single soil nutrient variables did not correlate with phosphorus reabsorption efficiency. Conclusions Plant tissues nitrogen partitioning correlated well with their respective phosphorus partitioning and the increase of soil NH4+ correlated positively with nitrogen reabsorption efficiency, regardless of tree species during the green leaf stage. The results of this study show the intricate relationship that exists between nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil-plant continuum as well as the tree species specific internal cycling of these nutrients.

Soil C:N:P Stoichiometry Succession and Land Use Effect after Intensive Reclamation: A Case Study on the Yangtze River Floodplain

“…With the increasing use of N fertilizers after reclamation, soil acidity was induced, leading to a decrease in the rate of SOM decomposition and favoring soil C accumulation [54]. Moreover, N additions could promote organisms to produce more extracellular phosphatase enzymes that cleave ester-P bonds in soil organic matter, thereby increasing P availability for crop uptake [64,65]. Although farmers tend to apply chemical P fertilizers, these compounds are less mobile and are poorly utilized during the crop season (less than 30% of total fertilization) [9].…”

Nitrogen and phosphorous dynamics with stand development of Pinus massoniana plantations in Southeast China

“…Nutrient limitation of plant growth and productivity is widespread in global terrestrial ecosystems (LeBauer and Treseder, 2008;Hou et al, 2020). Root uptake and leaf nutrient resorption are two main mechanisms used by plants to acquire and conserve nutrients, respectively (Cleveland et al, 2013;Brant and Chen, 2015;Seidel et al, 2022). Nutrient resorption from senescing leaves is an important nutrient conservation strategy for perennial plants (Aerts, 1996).…”

“…This is especially important in nutrient-limited ecosystems, where nutrient resorption could make plants rely less on external soil nutrient supply (Kobe et al, 2005). Aerts (1996) showed that about 50% of nitrogen (N) and 52% of phosphorus (P) in green leaf were resorbed by global perennial plants, and they can contribute 31% to 40% of the annual plant N and P demand, respectively (Cleveland et al, 2013;Seidel et al, 2022). Although previous studies focus mainly on nutrient resorption from leaves, a comparable amount of nutrients can also be recycled via resorption by other plant organs such as root, twig and stem (Brant and Chen, 2015;Chen et al, 2015;Veneklaas, 2022).…”