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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

Two-Dimensional Visualization and Quantification of Labile, Inorganic Plant Nutrients and Contaminants in Soil
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Published on: September 1, 2020

What controls plant nutrient use in high elevation ecosystems?

S C Castle1, J C Neff

  • 1Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive/CHCB 423, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA, sarah.castle@umontana.edu.

Oecologia
|June 18, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Plant nutrient use efficiency (NUE) rules may differ for rock-derived minerals, even when not limiting growth. This study found no evidence of higher NUE in low-nutrient soils for conifers, despite trade-offs in nutrient use components.

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09:38

Understanding Dissolved Organic Matter Biogeochemistry Through In Situ Nutrient Manipulations in Stream Ecosystems

Published on: October 29, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Plant Ecology
  • Soil Science
  • Forestry

Background:

  • Rock-derived mineral nutrients (P, K, Mn, Mg, Ca) are vital for plant physiology.
  • Plant nutrient use efficiency (NUE) is well-studied, but less is known when minerals are not limiting primary production.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if NUE principles for rock-derived nutrients differ when they are not growth-limiting.
  • To examine conifer growth and nutrient use dynamics across sites with contrasting geology and nutrient availability.

Main Methods:

  • Compared conifer growth and nutrient dynamics on sedimentary (lower nutrient) and volcanic (higher nutrient) sites.
  • Analyzed foliar nutrient concentrations, aboveground biomass, and fine litter production.
  • Assessed nutrient use efficiency components, including nutrient productivity and residence time.

Main Results:

  • Foliar P, K, and Mn concentrations reflected bedrock geochemistry and soil nutrient availability.
  • Aboveground woody increment was greater on low-nutrient sites, contrary to expectations.
  • No significant differences in fine litter production were observed between sites.
  • Evidence of trade-offs between nutrient productivity and nutrient residence time was found.

Conclusions:

  • Plant NUE did not increase in soils with lower N or rock-derived nutrient availability.
  • The study highlights complex interactions between geology, nutrient availability, and plant nutrient use strategies.