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Keywords = nitrogen allocation tradeoffs

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22 pages, 2291 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Soil Cover Thickness on Leaf Functional Traits of Vine Plants in Mining Areas Depend on Soil Enzyme Activities and Nutrient Cycling
by Ren Liu, Yun Sun, Zongming Cai, Ping He, Yunxia Song, Longhua Yu, Huacong Zhang and Yueqiao Li
Plants 2025, 14(14), 2225; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14142225 - 18 Jul 2025
Viewed by 221
Abstract
Understanding the interplay between plant leaf functional traits and plant and soil factors under different soil thicknesses is significant for quantifying the interaction between plant growth and the environment. However, in the context of ecological restoration of vegetation in mining areas, there has [...] Read more.
Understanding the interplay between plant leaf functional traits and plant and soil factors under different soil thicknesses is significant for quantifying the interaction between plant growth and the environment. However, in the context of ecological restoration of vegetation in mining areas, there has been a lot of research on trees, shrubs, and grasses, but the characteristics and correlations of leaf functional traits of vines have not been fully studied to a large extent. Here, we report the differences in leaf functional traits of six vine plants (Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Pueraria lobata, Hedera nepalensis, Campsis grandiflora, Mucuna sempervirens, and Parthenocissus tricuspidata) with distinct growth forms in different soil cover thicknesses (20 cm, 40 cm, and 60 cm). In addition, soil factor indicators under different soil cover thicknesses were measured to elucidate the linkages between leaf functional traits of vine plants and soil factors. We found that P. lobata showed a resource acquisition strategy, while H. nepalensis demonstrated a resource conservation strategy. C. grandiflora and P. tricuspidata shifted toward more conservative resource allocation strategies as the soil cover thickness increased, whereas M. sempervirens showed the opposite trend. In the plant trait–trait relationships, there were synergistic associations between specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf nitrogen content (LNC); leaf moisture content (LMC) and leaf nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratio (LN/P); and leaf specific dry weight (LSW), leaf succulence degree (LSD), and leaf dry matter content (LDMC). Trade-offs were observed between SLA and LSW, LSD, and LDMC; between leaf phosphorus content (LPC) and LN/P; and between LMC, LSW, and LDMC. In the plant trait–environment relationships, soil nutrients (pH, soil total phosphorus content (STP), and soil ammonium nitrogen content (SAN)) and soil enzyme activities (cellulase (CB), leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), enzyme C/N activity ratio, and enzyme N/P activity ratio) were identified as the primary drivers of variation in leaf functional traits. Interestingly, nitrogen deficiency constrained the growth of vine plants in the mining area. Our study revealed that the responses of leaf functional traits of different vines under different soil thicknesses have significant species specificity, and each vine shows different resource acquisition and conservation strategies. Furthermore, soil cover thickness primarily influences plant functional traits by directly affecting soil enzyme activities and nutrients. However, the pathways through which soil thickness impacts these traits differ among various functional traits. Our findings provide a theoretical basis and practical reference for selecting vine plants and optimizing soil cover techniques for ecological restoration in mining areas. Full article
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15 pages, 1601 KiB  
Article
Response of Leaf Non-Structural Carbohydrates to Elevation in Dioecious Plants, Populus cathayana and Hippophae rhamnoides
by Jiamei Wu, Shun Liu, Qiuhong Feng, Xiangwen Cao, Hongshuang Xing and Zuomin Shi
Forests 2025, 16(2), 246; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16020246 - 27 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 811
Abstract
Non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) can reflect the balance of resource allocation and trade-offs, as well as the adaptability of plants to the environment. Alterations in environmental conditions across an elevation gradient may impact the carbon balance within leaves. Nonetheless, it remains highly uncertain whether [...] Read more.
Non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) can reflect the balance of resource allocation and trade-offs, as well as the adaptability of plants to the environment. Alterations in environmental conditions across an elevation gradient may impact the carbon balance within leaves. Nonetheless, it remains highly uncertain whether the effect of elevation on NSCs differs among species and sexes. To reveal the response patterns of leaf NSCs in dioecious plants with elevation, Populus cathayana Rehd. and Hippophae rhamnoides L., distributed at four elevations in the subalpine region of western Sichuan, China, were selected, and female and male leaves were sampled and measured for their contents of NSCs, soluble sugar, and starch. Meanwhile, the relationships of NSCs, soluble sugar, and starch with leaf nitrogen and phosphorus were analyzed. The results showed that the elevational patterns of NSCs were mainly dependent on species and were slightly affected by sex. Leaf NSCs in both sexes of P. cathayana did not exhibit significant linear changes, whereas those in H. rhamnoides increased significantly and linearly with elevation. For P. cathayana, a significant increase in leaf starch with elevation was only found in female plants and may benefit from phosphorus deficiency, as it was significantly negatively correlated with phosphorus. However, leaf soluble sugar and starch between sexes of H. rhamnoides showed similar patterns of significant increases with elevation, and they were not correlated significantly with nitrogen and phosphorus. This might be due to H. rhamnoides, which is a nitrogen-fixing plant and thereby did not show deficiencies or limitations in nitrogen and phosphorus, as shown by the decreased or unchanged elevational patterns of nitrogen/phosphorus, starch/phosphorus, and soluble sugar/phosphorus. Overall, our results emphasize that species, rather than sex, is an important factor influencing the elevational pattern of NSCs, but for specific species, such as P. cathayana, in this study, there was a divergence in the elevational response of the allocation of starch and soluble sugar between sexes, reflecting the specific adaptive strategies of different plant species or sexes in response to changes in the growing environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Ecophysiology and Biology)
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19 pages, 4202 KiB  
Article
Optimum Nitrogen and Density Allocation for Trade−Off Between Yield and Lodging Resistance of Winter Wheat
by Haitao Liu, Shufang Sun, Min Jin, Chunhui Li, Jiayu Wang, Haixing Cui, Yong Li and Zhenlin Wang
Agronomy 2025, 15(1), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15010168 - 11 Jan 2025
Viewed by 931
Abstract
Increasing nitrogen and planting density can enhance crop yield, but it can reduce lodging resistance due to decreased lignin content. There is an urgent need to find feasible measures to balance these conflicting factors. We conducted a two-year field experiment in Tai’an, Shandong [...] Read more.
Increasing nitrogen and planting density can enhance crop yield, but it can reduce lodging resistance due to decreased lignin content. There is an urgent need to find feasible measures to balance these conflicting factors. We conducted a two-year field experiment in Tai’an, Shandong Province, China, evaluated SN23 (lodging resistant) and SN16 (lodging sensitive), under three nitrogen applications (120 kg/ha, N1; 240 kg/ha, N2; 360 kg/ha, N3) and four planting densities (75 plants/m2, D1; 225 plants/m2, D2; 375 plants/m2, D3; 525 plants/m2, D4), with N2D2 as the control, and measured lodging resistance related indexes and yield. N2D3 (SN23) increased internode length by 0.40 cm, reduced fresh weight by 0.09 g, resulting in a bending moment reduction of 0.39 g/cm. Lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose decreased by 18.27, 16.48, and 16.22 mg/g DW, while S and G lignin subunits decreased by 118.09 and 127.34 μg/g DW, and H subunit increased by 23.59 μg/g DW. Eventually, the breaking strength was reduced by 1.74 g/cm resulting in a reduction of 0.09 in the lodging resistance index. The yield reached 10.17 t/ha due to an increase in spike number by 100.33 plants/m2, achieving an optimal balance between yield and lodging resistance in this experiment. This study provides a viable solution for balancing lodging resistance and yield in winter wheat. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Soil and Plant Nutrition)
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19 pages, 1229 KiB  
Review
Photorespiratory Metabolism and Its Regulatory Links to Plant Defence Against Pathogens
by Iwona Ciereszko and Elżbieta Kuźniak
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(22), 12134; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252212134 - 12 Nov 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1672
Abstract
When plants face biotic stress, the induction of defence responses imposes a massive demand for carbon and energy resources, which could decrease the reserves allocated towards growth. These growth–defence trade-offs have important implications for plant fitness and productivity and influence the outcome of [...] Read more.
When plants face biotic stress, the induction of defence responses imposes a massive demand for carbon and energy resources, which could decrease the reserves allocated towards growth. These growth–defence trade-offs have important implications for plant fitness and productivity and influence the outcome of plant–pathogen interactions. Biotic stress strongly affects plant cells’ primary metabolism, including photosynthesis and respiration, the main source of energy and carbon skeletons for plant growth, development, and defence. Although the nature of photosynthetic limitations imposed by pathogens is variable, infection often increases photorespiratory pressure, generating conditions that promote ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate oxygenation, leading to a metabolic shift from assimilation to photorespiration. Photorespiration, the significant metabolic flux following photosynthesis, protects the photosynthetic apparatus from photoinhibition. However, recent studies reveal that its role is far beyond photoprotection. The intermediates of the photorespiratory cycle regulate photosynthesis, and photorespiration interacts with the metabolic pathways of nitrogen and sulphur, shaping the primary metabolism for stress responses. This work aims to present recent insights into the integration of photorespiration within the network of primary metabolism under biotic stress. It also explores the potential implications of regulating photosynthetic–photorespiratory metabolism for plant defence against bacterial and fungal pathogens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Respiration in the Light and Photorespiration)
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24 pages, 10327 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Scale Effects of Dynamics and Socio-Ecological Drivers of Ecosystem Service Interactions in the Lishui River Basin, China
by Suping Zeng, Chunqian Jiang, Yanfeng Bai, Hui Wang, Lina Guo and Jie Zhang
Sustainability 2024, 16(20), 8990; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16208990 - 17 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1355
Abstract
Grasping how scale influences the interactions among ecosystem services (ESs) is vital for the sustainable management of multiple ESs at the regional level. However, it is currently unclear whether the actual ES interactions and their driving mechanisms are consistent across different spatial and [...] Read more.
Grasping how scale influences the interactions among ecosystem services (ESs) is vital for the sustainable management of multiple ESs at the regional level. However, it is currently unclear whether the actual ES interactions and their driving mechanisms are consistent across different spatial and temporal scales. Therefore, using the Lishui River Basin of China as a case study, we analyzed the spatial and temporal distribution of five key ESs across three scales (grid, sub-watershed, and county) from 2010 to 2020. We also innovatively used Pearson correlation analysis, Self-organizing Mapping (SOM), and random forest analysis to assess the dynamic trends of trade-offs/synergies among ESs, ecosystem service bundles (ESBs), and their main socio-ecological drivers across different spatiotemporal scales. The findings showed that (1) the spatial distribution of ESs varied with land use types, with high-value areas mainly in the western and northern mountainous regions and lower values in the eastern part. Temporally, significant improvements were observed in soil conservation (SC, 3028.23–5023.75 t/hm2) and water yield (WY, 558.79–969.56 mm), while carbon sequestration (CS) and habitat quality (HQ) declined from 2010 to 2020. (2) The trade-offs and synergies among ESs exhibited enhanced at larger scales, with synergies being the predominant relationship. These relationships remained relatively stable over time, with trade-offs mainly observed in ES pairs related to nitrogen export (NE). (3) ESBs and their socio-ecological drivers varied with scales. At the grid scale, frequent ESB flows and transformations were observed, with land use/land cover (LULC) being the main drivers. At other scales, climate (especially temperature) and topography were dominant. Ecosystem management focused on city bundles or downstream city bundles in the east of the basin, aligning with urban expansion trends. These insights will offer valuable guidance for decision-making regarding hierarchical management strategies and resource allocation for regional ESs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)
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19 pages, 5552 KiB  
Article
Soil Nitrogen and Flooding Intensity Determine the Trade-Off between Leaf and Root Traits of Riparian Plant Species
by Hang Zou, Wanyu Wang, Jinxia Huang, Xiaohong Li, Maohua Ma, Shengjun Wu and Cunfeng Zhao
Plants 2024, 13(7), 978; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13070978 - 29 Mar 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1494
Abstract
The investigation into trade-offs among plant functional traits sheds light on how plants strategically balance growth and survival when facing environmental stress. This study sought to evaluate whether trade-offs observed at both community and individual species levels could indicate adaptive fitness across an [...] Read more.
The investigation into trade-offs among plant functional traits sheds light on how plants strategically balance growth and survival when facing environmental stress. This study sought to evaluate whether trade-offs observed at both community and individual species levels could indicate adaptive fitness across an intensity of flooding intensity. The study was conducted at 25 sampling sites spanning approximately 600 km along the riparian zone in the Three Gorges Reservoir area, China. The findings revealed that, along the flooding gradient, the overall riparian community did not exhibit significant trade-offs between leaf and root traits. Examining three broadly distributed dominant species (Cynodon dactylon, Xanthium strumarium, and Abutilon theophrasti), perennial plants showed pronounced trade-offs under low flooding intensity, while annuals exhibited trade-offs under moderate and low flooding intensity. The trade-offs were evident in traits related to nitrogen-carbon resources, such as specific leaf area, root tissue density, and photosynthetic rate. However, under strong flooding intensity, the relationship between leaf and root traits of the species studied was decoupled. Furthermore, the study identified a significant correlation between soil nitrogen and the trade-off traits under moderate and low flooding intensity. Integrating results from the CSR (Competitors, Stress-tolerators, Ruderals) strategy model, species niche breath analysis, and nitrogen-regulated trade-off, the study revealed that, in the face of high flooding intensity, perennial species (C. dactylon) adopts an S-strategy, demonstrating tolerance through a conservative resource allocation that decouples leaf-root coordination. Annual species (X. strumarium and A. theophrasti), on the other hand, exhibit niche specialization along the flooding gradient, employing distinct strategies (R- and C-strategy). As flooding stress diminishes and soil nitrogen level decreases, plant strategies tend to shift towards an R-strategy with a competition for reduced N resources. In conclusion, the study highlighted the pivotal roles of soil nitrogen and flooding intensity acting as the dual determinants of species growth and tolerance. These dynamics of growth-tolerance balance were evident in the diverse trade-offs between leaf and root traits of individual plant species with different life histories, underscoring the array of adaptive strategies employed by riparian plants across the flooding intensity gradient. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Response to Abiotic Stress and Climate Change)
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18 pages, 4739 KiB  
Article
Response of Common Garden Plant Leaf Traits to Air Pollution in Urban Parks of Suzhou City (China)
by Zhiyu Yang, Xing Zhang, Yanting Qu, Fei Gao and Yutong Li
Forests 2023, 14(11), 2253; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14112253 - 16 Nov 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1991
Abstract
In this study, to comprehensively investigate the impact of garden plants on air quality, we measured the leaves of 18 common garden plants in three different areas, namely, Suzhou industrial parks (clean air area (CAA)), Xiangcheng district parks (lightly polluted area (LPA)), and [...] Read more.
In this study, to comprehensively investigate the impact of garden plants on air quality, we measured the leaves of 18 common garden plants in three different areas, namely, Suzhou industrial parks (clean air area (CAA)), Xiangcheng district parks (lightly polluted area (LPA)), and Huqiu district parks (highly polluted area (HPA)). We also measured the leaf functional traits of different life-types of plants. To explore the trade-off strategies of the leaf traits of common garden plants in response to air pollution and to assess the adaptive capacity of different life types of plants to air pollution. The results show that plants in the polluted area had higher leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and leaf nitrogen content per unit mass (Nmass), and a lower specific leaf area (SLA), maximum net photosynthetic rate per unit area (Aarea), transpiration rate (Tr), stomatal conductance (Gs), and chlorophyll value (SPAD). Pearson correlation analysis showed that SLA was significantly positively correlated with Nmass, Tr, photosynthetic use efficiency (PNUE), and SPAD, and significantly negatively correlated with LDMC, while Aarea was significantly positively correlated with chlorophyll value. Redundancy analysis revealed that the correlation between each leaf functional trait and atmospheric pollution factors was as follows: LDMC > Nmass > SLA > LA > Aarea > Tr > PNUE > SPAD. The results suggest that different plant types have varying levels of adaptability to environmental conditions. Trees were found to be the most adaptable, followed by shrubs, herbs, and lianas. Additionally, under the stress of air pollution, herbs and lianas exhibited characteristics of “fast investment-return” on the leaf economic spectrum, meaning they were able to quickly allocate resources to maximize their return. However, trees and shrubs displayed traits of “slow investment-return”, indicating a more conservative approach to resource allocation. These results provide valuable insights into the leaf trade-off strategies of plants in Suzhou Park under air pollution stress and can guide the selection of suitable plant species in similar environments. Full article
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12 pages, 2871 KiB  
Article
Response of C:N:P Stoichiometry to Phosphorus Addition and Homeostasis of Plant Tissues in a Subtropical Slash Pine Plantation
by Ting Jia, Min Yi, Fusheng Chen, Meng Lai, Cangfu Jin, Zixuan Nie, Linjin Zhou, Jinwen Xie and Lu Zhang
Forests 2023, 14(7), 1355; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14071355 - 30 Jun 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1867
Abstract
Phosphorus (P) fertilizer is commonly used in subtropical plantations to augment nutrients including carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and P to maintain plants engaged in metabolism. Stoichiometric homeostasis reflects the adaptation of plants to various environments (including P fertilizer supply rates). It is thus [...] Read more.
Phosphorus (P) fertilizer is commonly used in subtropical plantations to augment nutrients including carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and P to maintain plants engaged in metabolism. Stoichiometric homeostasis reflects the adaptation of plants to various environments (including P fertilizer supply rates). It is thus of great significance to understand C:N:P stoichiometry in the plant–litter–soil system under P addition and the stoichiometric homeostasis of plant tissues for the P fertilization management of slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm) plantations. In subtropical China, we measured the C, N, and P contents in root, branch, needle, litter, and soil in slash pine plantations fertilized with four treatments, P1 (25 kg P ha1 yr1), P2 (50 kg P ha1 yr1), P3 (100 kg P ha1 yr1), and a control (CK), and calculated the stoichiometric homeostasis of plant tissues. The results show that P3 treatment increased the C, N, and P contents of the needle. P2 and P3 treatments increased the P content of the litter and the N:P ratio of the root while decreasing the C:N ratio of the root. P addition treatments increased C and P element accumulation in soil but had no effect on soil stoichiometry. The nutrient contents of needle and branch were higher than those of root and litter, indicating that slash pine was more inclined to allocate nutrients to the aboveground tissues. The stoichiometric homeostasis of C, N, and P among plant tissues was graded as follows: root > branch > needle. The needle’s nutritional homeostasis was C > N > P, with 1/H values of 0.08, 0.34, and 0.74, respectively. These findings demonstrate that during P addition, the C, N, and P stoichiometric homeostasis varied among plant tissues and element types. In conclusion, P application altered nutrient distribution in the plant–litter–soil system, alleviating P restriction in slash pine forests in southern China. P addition levels should be finely adjusted in the future for longer-term observation trials, and the trade-off between P addition rates and economic and ecological advantages should be properly examined. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Plants Nutrients)
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15 pages, 2764 KiB  
Article
Comparison of C, N and P Stoichiometry in Different Organs of Fraxinus velutina
by Linshui Dong, Aiyun Song, Jianfeng Zhang, Ling Peng, Nannan Cheng and Banghua Cao
Forests 2023, 14(1), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14010064 - 29 Dec 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1821
Abstract
Velvet ash (Fraxinus velutina Torr.) is a dioecious tree species, which is widely used as a part of urban greeneries in saline land of North China. Female and male trees have different nutrient allocation trade-offs in dioecious species. As the fruit production [...] Read more.
Velvet ash (Fraxinus velutina Torr.) is a dioecious tree species, which is widely used as a part of urban greeneries in saline land of North China. Female and male trees have different nutrient allocation trade-offs in dioecious species. As the fruit production consumes a lot of nutrients, female F. velutina plants grow slowly and are vulnerable to insects and diseases. Ecological stoichiometry can be used to study the physiological mechanism of the growth difference between female and male plants. The purpose of this study was to compare the seasonal patterns of C, N and P stoichiometry and their trade-offs in different organs of female and male F. velutina plants planted in urban green spaces. The fruit C, N and P contents of female F. velutina plants were all lower than those of leaves in the early growing season, but higher than those of leaves in the middle and late growing season. During most months, the leaf C and P contents of females were higher than those of males, while the leaf N content was lower than that of males, which was consistent with the sex-specific resource requirements for reproduction (i.e., high carbon requirements for ovules and high nitrogen demands for pollen). Compared to the females, there were more significant correlations between the stoichiometric indices (element contents and their ratios) of branches and leaves in male plants, and this difference may be related to the fact that the male plants were not involved in nutritional allocation for fruits. The leaf N/P of F. velutina was lower than 14 in the whole growing season, which indicated N limitation. The female and male plants of F. velutina had different sex-specific resource requirements for sex organ formation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Urban Forestry and Sustainable Environments)
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12 pages, 2695 KiB  
Article
Nitrogen Allocation Tradeoffs Within-Leaf between Photosynthesis and High-Temperature Adaptation among Different Varieties of Pecan (Carya illinoinensis [Wangenh.] K. Koch)
by Qiwen Xu, Huichuan He, Binghui He, Tianyang Li, Yumin Liu, Shunyao Zhu and Gaoning Zhang
Plants 2022, 11(21), 2828; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11212828 - 24 Oct 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2131
Abstract
Interpreting leaf nitrogen (N) allocation is essential to understanding leaf N cycling and the economy of plant adaptation to environmental fluctuations, yet the way these mechanisms shift in various varieties under high temperatures remains unclear. Here, eight varieties of pecan (Carya illinoinensis [...] Read more.
Interpreting leaf nitrogen (N) allocation is essential to understanding leaf N cycling and the economy of plant adaptation to environmental fluctuations, yet the way these mechanisms shift in various varieties under high temperatures remains unclear. Here, eight varieties of pecan (Carya illinoinensis [Wangenh.] K. Koch), Mahan, YLC10, YLC12, YLC13, YLC29, YLC35, YLJ042, and YLJ5, were compared to investigate the effects of high temperatures on leaf N, photosynthesis, N allocation, osmolytes, and lipid peroxidation and their interrelations. Results showed that YLC35 had a higher maximum net photosynthetic rate (Pmax) and photosynthetic N-use efficiency (PNUE), while YLC29 had higher N content per area (Na) and lower PNUE. YLC35, with lower malondialdehyde (MDA), had the highest proportions of N allocation in rubisco (Pr), bioenergetics (Pb), and photosynthetic apparatus (Pp), while YLC29, with the highest MDA, had the lowest Pr, Pb, and Pp, implying more leaf N allocated to the photosynthetic apparatus for boosting PNUE or to non-photosynthetic apparatus for alleviating damage. Structural equation modeling (SEM) demonstrated that N allocation was affected negatively by leaf N and positively by photosynthesis, and their combination indirectly affected lipid peroxidation through the reverse regulation of N allocation. Our results indicate that different varieties of pecan employ different resource-utilization strategies and growth–defense tradeoffs for homeostatic balance under high temperatures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Cycle and Hydrological Process of Plant Ecosystems)
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31 pages, 764 KiB  
Article
Genotype-by-Diet Interactions for Larval Performance and Body Composition Traits in the Black Soldier Fly, Hermetia illucens
by Christoph Sandrock, Simon Leupi, Jens Wohlfahrt, Cengiz Kaya, Maike Heuel, Melissa Terranova, Wolf U. Blanckenhorn, Wilhelm Windisch, Michael Kreuzer and Florian Leiber
Insects 2022, 13(5), 424; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13050424 - 30 Apr 2022
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 4874
Abstract
Further advancing black soldier fly (BSF) farming for waste valorisation and more sustainable global protein supplies critically depends on targeted exploitation of genotype-phenotype associations in this insect, comparable to conventional livestock. This study used a fully crossed factorial design of rearing larvae of [...] Read more.
Further advancing black soldier fly (BSF) farming for waste valorisation and more sustainable global protein supplies critically depends on targeted exploitation of genotype-phenotype associations in this insect, comparable to conventional livestock. This study used a fully crossed factorial design of rearing larvae of four genetically distinct BSF strains (FST: 0.11–0.35) on three nutritionally different diets (poultry feed, food waste, poultry manure) to investigate genotype-by-environment interactions. Phenotypic responses included larval growth dynamics over time, weight at harvest, mortality, biomass production with respective contents of ash, fat, and protein, including amino acid profiles, as well as bioconversion and nitrogen efficiency, reduction of dry matter and relevant fibre fractions, and dry matter loss (emissions). Virtually all larval performance and body composition traits were substantially influenced by diet but also characterised by ample BSF genetic variation and, most importantly, by pronounced interaction effects between the two. Across evaluated phenotypes, variable diet-dependent rankings and the lack of generally superior BSF strains indicate the involvement of trade-offs between traits, as their relationships may even change signs. Conflicting resource allocation in light of overall BSF fitness suggests anticipated breeding programs will require complex and differential selection strategies to account for pinpointed trait maximisation versus multi-purpose resilience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Role of Insects in Human Society)
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14 pages, 2673 KiB  
Article
Differences in Characteristics of Photosynthesis and Nitrogen Utilization in Leaves of the Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) According to Leaf Position
by Dongsu Choi, Woongsoon Jang, Hiroto Toda and Masato Yoshikawa
Forests 2021, 12(3), 348; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12030348 - 16 Mar 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3708
Abstract
Robinia pseudoacacia L. has been widely planted worldwide for a variety of purposes, but it is a nonindigenous species currently invading the central part of Japanese river terraces. To understand and control this invasion, we investigated how this species invests nitrogen resources in [...] Read more.
Robinia pseudoacacia L. has been widely planted worldwide for a variety of purposes, but it is a nonindigenous species currently invading the central part of Japanese river terraces. To understand and control this invasion, we investigated how this species invests nitrogen resources in different functions depending on the leaf location, and how these resources are used in physiological reactions such as photosynthesis. The Tama river terrace was examined in Tokyo, Japan. The leaf nitrogen (N) concentration, chlorophyll (Chl) concentration, Chl a/b ratio, leaf mass per unit area (LMA) and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase (RuBisCo) concentration were all significantly lower in shade leaves than in leaves exposed to the sun. Conversely, the net photosynthetic rate in saturated light conditions (Pmax), the net photosynthetic rate under enhanced CO2 concentration and light saturation (Amax), the maximum carboxylation rate of RuBisCo (Vcmax) and the maximum rate of electron transport driving RUBP regeneration (Jmax) were all significantly lower in shade leaves than in leaves exposed to the sun. We also found that RuBisCo/N and Chl/N were significantly less in shade leaves, and values of Jmax/N, Vcmax/N less in shade leaves than in sun leaves, but not significantly. Allocation of nitrogen in leaves to photosynthetic proteins, RuBisCo (NR) was broadly less in shade leaves, and NL (light-harvesting complex: LHC, photosystem I and II: PSI and PSII) and NE (electron transport) were also lower. The N remaining was much greater in shade leaves than in sun leaves. We suggest that N remobilization from RuBisCo is more efficient than remobilization from proteins of NE, and from NL. This study shows that R. pseudoacacia has an enhanced ability to adapt to environmental changes via characteristic changes in N allocation trade-offs and physiological traits in its sun and shade leaves. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecophysiology of Forest Succession under Changing Environment)
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16 pages, 2882 KiB  
Article
Variation in Root and Shoot Growth in Response to Reduced Nitrogen
by Seth Tolley and Mohsen Mohammadi
Plants 2020, 9(2), 144; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9020144 - 23 Jan 2020
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 5713
Abstract
Recently, root traits have been suggested to play an important role in developing greater nitrogen uptake and grain yield. However, relatively few breeding programs utilize these root traits. Over a series of experiments at different growth stages with destructive plant biomass measurements, we [...] Read more.
Recently, root traits have been suggested to play an important role in developing greater nitrogen uptake and grain yield. However, relatively few breeding programs utilize these root traits. Over a series of experiments at different growth stages with destructive plant biomass measurements, we analyzed above-ground and below-ground traits in seven geographically diverse lines of wheat. Root and shoot biomass allocation in 14-day-old seedlings were analyzed using paper roll-supported hydroponic culture in two Hoagland solutions containing 0.5 (low) and 4 (high) mM of nitrogen (N). For biomass analysis of plants at maturity, plants were grown in 7.5 L pots filled with soil mix under two nitrogen treatments. Traits were measured as plants reached maturity. High correlations were observed among duration of vegetative growth, tiller number, shoot dry matter, and root dry matter. Functionality of large roots in nitrogen uptake was dependent on the availability of N. Under high N, lines with larger roots had a greater yield response to the increase in N input. Under low N, yields were independent of root size and dry matter, meaning that there was not a negative tradeoff to the allocation of more resources to roots, though small rooted lines were more competitive with regards to grain yield and grain N concentration in the low-N treatment. In the high-N treatment, the large-rooted lines were correlated to an increase in grain N concentration (r = 0.54) and grain yield (r = 0.43). In low N, the correlation between root dry matter to yield (r = 0.20) and grain N concentration (r = −0.38) decreased. A 15-fold change was observed between lines for root dry matter; however, only a ~5-fold change was observed in shoot dry matter. Additionally, root dry matter measured at the seedling stage did not correlate to the corresponding trait at maturity. As such, in a third assay, below-ground and above-ground traits were measured at key growth stages including the four-leaf stage, stem elongation, heading, post-anthesis, and maturity. We found that root growth appears to be stagnant from stem elongation to maturity. Full article
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24 pages, 1946 KiB  
Article
The Persistence of Container Nursery Treatments on the Field Performance and Root System Morphology of Longleaf Pine Seedlings
by Shi-Jean S. Sung, R. Kasten Dumroese, Jeremiah R. Pinto and Mary Anne S. Sayer
Forests 2019, 10(9), 807; https://doi.org/10.3390/f10090807 - 17 Sep 2019
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3507
Abstract
In recent decades, container stock has become the preferred plant material to regenerate longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) forests in the southeastern United States. We evaluated the effects of container nursery treatments on early and long-term field performance in central Louisiana. Seedlings [...] Read more.
In recent decades, container stock has become the preferred plant material to regenerate longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) forests in the southeastern United States. We evaluated the effects of container nursery treatments on early and long-term field performance in central Louisiana. Seedlings were grown in four cavity volumes (60–336 mL) with or without copper oxychloride root pruning (Cu or no-Cu) and fertilized at three nitrogen (N) rates. Across treatments, 91% of the seedlings emerged from the grass stage by the second field season, and 88% of the seedlings survived eight years after outplanting (Year 8). Seedlings grown in the largest cavities had greater total heights and stem diameters than those cultured in the 60- and 95-mL cavities through Year 8. Seedlings receiving the least amount of N in the nursery were consistently smaller in stature through Year 8 than seedlings receiving more N. Field growth was unaffected by copper root pruning through Year 8. Foliar mineral nutrient concentrations and seedling nutrient contents of Year 2 seedlings did not respond to nursery treatments. Independent of nursery treatments, seedlings excavated in Year 2 had at least 60% of their first-order lateral roots (FOLRs) originating from the top 4.0 cm of the taproots. The Cu-root-pruned seedlings had twofold the percentage of FOLRs egressed from the top 8.0 cm of the root plug when compared with the no-Cu seedlings. Moreover, the Cu root pruning treatment decreased the percentage of root plug biomass allocated to FOLRs, total within root plug FOLR lengths, and FOLR deformity index. The effects of increasing cavity volume or N rate on the root plug FOLR variables were opposite those of the Cu root pruning treatment. Our results suggest that a tradeoff may exist between seedling stature and a more natural FOLR morphology in outplanted container longleaf pine seedlings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Longleaf Pine)
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Article
Primary, Secondary Metabolites, H2O2, Malondialdehyde and Photosynthetic Responses of Orthosiphon stimaneus Benth. to Different Irradiance Levels
by Mohd Hafiz Ibrahim and Hawa Z. E. Jaafar
Molecules 2012, 17(2), 1159-1176; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules17021159 - 27 Jan 2012
Cited by 79 | Viewed by 8168
Abstract
The resource availability hypothesis predicts an increase in the allocation to secondary metabolites when carbon gain is improved relative to nutrient availability, which normally occurs during periods of low irradiance. The present work was carried out to confirm this hypothesis by investigating the [...] Read more.
The resource availability hypothesis predicts an increase in the allocation to secondary metabolites when carbon gain is improved relative to nutrient availability, which normally occurs during periods of low irradiance. The present work was carried out to confirm this hypothesis by investigating the effects of decreasing irradiance on the production of plant secondary metabolites (flavonoids and phenolics) in the herbal plant Orthosiphon stamineus, and to characterize this production by carbohydrate, H2O2, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, net photosynthesis, leaf chlorophyll content and carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N). Four levels of irradiance (225, 500, 625 and 900 µmol/m2/s) were imposed onto two-week old seedlings for 12 weeks in a randomized complete block design experiment. Peak production of total flavonoids, phenolics, soluble sugar, starch and total non-structural carbohydrate ocurred under low irradiance of 225 µmol/m2/s, and decreased with increasing irradiance. The up-regulation of secondary metabolites could be explained by the concomitant increases in H2O2 and MDA activities under low irradiance. This condition also resulted in enhanced C/N ratio signifying a reduction in nitrogen levels, which had established significant negative correlations with net photosynthesis, total biomass and total chlorophyll content, indicating the possible existence of a trade-off between growth and secondary metabolism under low irradiance with reduced nitrogen content. The competition between total chlorophyll and secondary metabolites production, as exhibited by the negative correlation coefficient under low irradiance, also suggests a sign of gradual switch of investment from chlorophyll to polyphenols production. Full article
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