An assessment on the uncertainty of the nitrogen to phosphorus ratio as a threshold for nutrient limitation in plants.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

The nitrogen (N) to phosphorus (P) ratio (N:P) has been widely used as a threshold for identifying nutrient limitations in terrestrial plants; however, the associated reliability has not been well assessed.

Methods

The uncertainty of nutrient limitations caused by the N:P threshold was evaluated using two approaches: fertilization experiments synthesized across multiple ecosystems; and random sampling simulation of the impacts of different nutrient sufficiencies and deficiencies.

Key results

The fertilization experiment data indicated that the types of nutrient limitation determined via N:P thresholds were partly inconsistent with the growth responses observed under N and P additions, i.e. under N:P thresholds of 14 and 16 (or 10 and 20), 32.5 % (o

SUBMITTER: Yan Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5710604 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature