Plasticity of plant morphology and biomass allocation of Leymus chinensis under different phosphorus conditions

doi:10.11686/cyxb2016061

Abstract

Abstract: Changes in plant morphology and biomass allocation are the main factors in the natural grassland degradation process. Studying the responses of plant morphology and biomass allocation under different conditions could help to reveal the mechanism of grassland degradation. We conducted a pot experiment and evaluated the morphological responses and biomass accumulation and allocation of Leymus chinensis under different phosphorus (P) conditions. The treatments consisted of 0, 30, 90, and 180 mg P₂O₅/kg added to soil to provide four different P-availability conditions for cultivation of L. chinensis. The results showed that: 1) plant biomass and height were reduced under low-P availability, and were significantly increased under higher-P availability. Plant height, leaf biomass, stem biomass, root biomass, and total biomass were 14%, 50%, 51%, 79%, and 63% lower, respectively, under low-P availability than under high-P availability. 2) Plant morphology and biomass allocation showed different responses to P availability. Biomass accumulation was the most sensitive to P conditions, and morphology was the least sensitive; the plasticity indexes were 0.58, 0.31, and 0.19, respectively, for biomass accumulation, allocation, and morphology. The most sensitive single trait indicator was root dry mass with the plasticity index of 0.79. 3) The correlations between aboveground dry mass and leaf width, internode number, and plant height were all significant. Understanding the responses of L. chinensis to different P conditions can help to reveal the mechanisms of vegetation succession and degradation in the grassland ecosystem.

GUO Feng-Hui, HOU Xiang-Yang, DING Yong, LI Xi-Liang, WU Zi-Nian, WANG Zhen, HU Jing, LI Xin-Le, MA Wen-Jing, ZHAO Jin-Bo. Plasticity of plant morphology and biomass allocation of Leymus chinensis under different phosphorus conditions[J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2016, 25(12): 53-62.

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