Biogeographic bases for a shift in crop C : N : P stoichiometries during domestication. (18th March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Delgado‐Baquerizo, Manuel; Reich, Peter B.; García‐Palacios, Pablo; Milla, Rubén
• Editors: Scherber, Christoph
• Is Part Of: Ecology letters. Volume 19:Number 5(2016:May)
• Page Start: 564
• Page End: 575
• Publication Date: 2016-03-18
• Subjects: Crops -- decomposition -- growth rate hypothesis -- nutrient cycling -- soil age hypothesis -- T‐physiology hypothesis; Ecology -- Periodicals; 577
• DOI: 10.1111/ele.12593
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1461-023X

Abstract

Abstract: We lack both a theoretical framework and solid empirical data to understand domestication impacts on plant chemistry. We hypothesised that domestication increased leaf N and P to support high plant production rates, but biogeographic and climate patterns further influenced the magnitude and direction of changes in specific aspects of chemistry and stoichiometry. To test these hypotheses, we used a data set of leaf C, N and P from 21 herbaceous crops and their wild progenitors. Domestication increased leaf N and/or P for 57% of the crops. Moreover, the latitude of the domestication sites (negatively related to temperature) modulated the domestication effects on P (+), C (−), N : P (−) and C : P (−) ratios. Further results from a litter decomposition assay showed that domestication effects on litter chemistry affected the availability of soil N and P. Our findings draw attention to evolutionary effects of domestication legacies on plant and soil stoichiometry and related ecosystem services (e.g. plant yield and soil fertility).