Growth in epiphytic bromeliads: Response to the relative supply of phosphorus and nitrogen

dc.contributor.authorZotz, Gerhard
dc.contributor.authorAsshoff, R.
dc.date.accessioned2010-04-05T13:59:11Z
dc.date.available2010-04-05T13:59:11Z
dc.date.issued2010
dc.description.abstractInsufficient 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.extent108–113
dc.identifier1438-8677
dc.identifier.citationZotz, 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.issn1438-8677
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10088/8912
dc.relation.ispartofPlant Biology 12 (1)
dc.titleGrowth in epiphytic bromeliads: Response to the relative supply of phosphorus and nitrogen
dc.typearticle
sro.description.unitSTRI
sro.identifier.doi10.1111/j.1438-8677.2009.00216.x
sro.identifier.itemID81510
sro.identifier.refworksID101525
sro.identifier.urlhttps://repository.si.edu/handle/10088/8912

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