Functional differentiation and adaptive responses of absorptive and transport roots in alpine grassland plants under nitrogen and phosphorus addition.

ABSTRACT: Fine root functional traits are critical for shaping plant strategies in below-ground resource acquisition and ecosystem functioning. However, previous studies have predominantly focused on fine roots as a whole or overlooked functional differentiation between root order, making it challenging to elucidate the response patterns and driving mechanisms of different root orders under nutrient addition. We conducted this study with controlled nitrogen and phosphorus addition experiments in alpine meadow and steppe ecosystems on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP), systematically analysing the response and differentiation characteristics of two fine root types-absorptive roots and transport roots-in key traits including root diameter (RD), specific root length (SRL), root tissue density (RTD), an

SUBMITTER: Du J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12852885 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature