Plant stoichiometry at different scales: element concentration patterns reflect environment more than genotype

Area of Science:

• Plant physiology
• Environmental science
• Agricultural science

Background:

• Plants require at least 16 essential elements for growth and survival.
• Understanding nutrient requirements and variability across scales is crucial but not well-established.
• Willow (Salix spp.) genotypes were used to investigate leaf nutrient stoichiometry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a methodology using Euclidean distances for stoichiometric analysis of leaf nutrient variability.
• To identify key drivers of nutrient variation in plants.
• To group elements based on their relationship with plant growth and biochemical functions.

Main Methods:

• A fertilizer experiment was conducted on six willow genotypes.
• Leaf nutrient concentrations of 14 elements (C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, S, Fe, Zn, B, Cu, Na, Al) were analyzed.
• Euclidean distance-based stoichiometric analysis was employed to assess variability.

Main Results:

• Environmental element availability was the primary driver of nutrient variation.
• Variability within plants and between individuals of the same genotype was substantial.
• Elements were grouped by growth influence: N, P, S, Mn with growth rate; K, Ca, Mg with biomass; Fe, B, Zn, Al with limited uptake; Cu intermediate.
• Only Sodium (Na) showed genotype-specific concentration differences.

Conclusions:

• Environmental factors significantly influence plant nutrient stoichiometry.
• Leaf nutrient variability is complex and occurs at multiple organizational scales.
• Elements can be categorized by their distinct roles in plant growth and biochemical processes.