The effect of varying nitrogen and phosphorus availability on nutrient use by <i>Larrea tridentata</i>, a desert evergreen shrub

TitleThe effect of varying nitrogen and phosphorus availability on nutrient use by Larrea tridentata, a desert evergreen shrub
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1988
AuthorsLajtha K, Klein M
JournalOecologia
Volume75
Pagination348-353
Date Published1988
Call Number00166
Keywordsarticle, articles, journal, journals, Larrea, germination, nitrogen, Larrea, germination, phosphorus, Larrea, nutrients, nitrogen, Larrea, nutrient resorption efficiency, nutrient use efficiency, phosphorus, Larrea, seed, germination
AbstractIn a phytotron study of the effects of nitrogen and phosphorus supply ration on nutrient uptake and use by Larrea tridentata, seedlings responded to increases in N and P availability with increases in leaf size, total biomass, and leaf nutrient concentration, and with decreases in root:shoot ratio. N and P use efficiency decreased with increasing N and P availability, respectively, but increased with increasing availability of the other nutrient, suggesting that Larrea responds both to the absolute and to the relative availability of limiting nutrients. Absolute amounts of N and P resorption, as well as N and P resorption efficiencies did not demonstrate a significant trend with nutrient availability, and there was no evidence of significant interactions between the two nutrients. More studies of the effects of nutrient interactions in the cycling and use of nutrients by different plant species are needed before more general conclusions can be drawn.