Growth in epiphytic bromeliads: Response to the relative supply of phosphorus and nitrogen
dc.contributor.author | Zotz, Gerhard | |
dc.contributor.author | Asshoff, R. | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2010-04-05T13:59:11Z | |
dc.date.available | 2010-04-05T13:59:11Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2010 | |
dc.description.abstract | Insufficient nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) frequently limit primary production. Although most nutrient studies on vascular epiphytes have focused on N uptake, circumstantial evidence suggests that P rather than N is the most limiting element for growth in this plant group. We directly tested this by subjecting a total of 162 small individuals of three bromeliad species (Guzmania monostachia, Tillandsia elongata, Werauhia sanguinolenta) to three N and three P levels using a full-factorial experimental design, and determined relative growth rates (RGR) and nutrient acquisition over a period of 11 weeks. Both N and P supply had a significant effect on RGR, but only tissue P concentrations were correlated with growth. Uptake rates of N and P, in contrast, were not correlated with RGR. Increased nutrient supply led to an up to sevenfold increase in tissue P concentration compared to natural conditions, while concentrations of N hardly changed or even decreased. All treatment combinations, even at the lowest experimental P supply, led to decreased N:P ratios. We conclude that P is at least as limiting as N for vegetative function under natural conditions in these epiphytic bromeliads. This conclusion is in line with the general notion of the prevalence of P limitation for the functioning of terrestrial vegetation in the tropics. | |
dc.format.extent | 108–113 | |
dc.identifier | 1438-8677 | |
dc.identifier.citation | Zotz, Gerhard and Asshoff, R. 2010. "<a href="https://repository.si.edu/handle/10088/8912">Growth in epiphytic bromeliads: Response to the relative supply of phosphorus and nitrogen</a>." <em>Plant Biology</em>, 12, (1) 108–113. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1438-8677.2009.00216.x">https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1438-8677.2009.00216.x</a>. | |
dc.identifier.issn | 1438-8677 | |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10088/8912 | |
dc.relation.ispartof | Plant Biology 12 (1) | |
dc.title | Growth in epiphytic bromeliads: Response to the relative supply of phosphorus and nitrogen | |
dc.type | article | |
sro.description.unit | STRI | |
sro.identifier.doi | 10.1111/j.1438-8677.2009.00216.x | |
sro.identifier.itemID | 81510 | |
sro.identifier.refworksID | 101525 | |
sro.identifier.url | https://repository.si.edu/handle/10088/8912 |
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