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Comparative responses of a non-N-fixing shrub and an actinorhizal N-fixing shrub to N fertilization

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Abstract

Background and aims

Variations in responses to soil N between a non-N-fixing shrub, Baccharis halimifolia L., and a N-fixing shrub, Morella cerifera (L.) Small, were tested over 12 weeks to determine whether N availability is the sole cause of persistent dominance of M. cerifera on barrier islands.

Methods

Plants were supplied increasing levels of soil N up to 200 mg kg−1. Measurements included gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters across treatments, species, and time. Tissues were analyzed for differences in biomass and nutrients.

Results

Baccharis halimifolia had reduced physiological responses across all treatment levels, but M. cerifera had comparatively few variations. Across all treatments B. halimifolia photosynthesis and stomatal conductance were reduced by 62 and 76 %, respectively,by week 12. Increasing foliar δ15N values across treatments for M. cerifera indicated a shift from utilizing fixed N to available soil N. Biomass was highest at 200 mg kg−1 N for both species. Baccharis halimifolia showed indications of stress response and resource limitation based on physiological responses, nutrient contents, and isotope effects.

Conclusions

Baccharis halimifolia showed signs of co-limitation of both N and P whereas M. cerifera was limited by neither, suggesting that dominance of M. cerifera is only partially explained by actinorhizal symbiosis and N availability.

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Acknowledgments

Julie Zinnert and Elizabeth Kost provided valuable assistance with physiological measurements and Jarrod Austin and David Starling assisted with sample preparation and data entry. D’Arcy Mays provided valuable guidance regarding statistical analyses. The Virginia Coast Reserve LTER staff assisted with island logistics. This work was supported in part by the National Science Foundation grant DEB-00831 to the University of Virginia for LTER-related work at the Virginia Coast Reserve.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1000 West Cary Street, Richmond, VA, 23284, USA

    Jaclyn K. Vick & Donald R. Young

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  1. Jaclyn K. Vick
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  2. Donald R. Young
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Correspondence to Donald R. Young.

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Responsible Editor: Michael Denis Cramer.

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Vick, J.K., Young, D.R. Comparative responses of a non-N-fixing shrub and an actinorhizal N-fixing shrub to N fertilization. Plant Soil 371, 377–385 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-013-1690-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-013-1690-4

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