Elevated nitrogen deposition may advance invasive weed, Solidago canadensis, in calcareous soils. (3rd April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wan, Ling-Yun; Qi, Shan-Shan; Zou, Chris B; Dai, Zhi-Cong; Ren, Guang-Qian; Chen, Qi; Zhu, Bin; Du, Dao-Lin
• Is Part Of: Journal of plant ecology. Volume 12:Number 5(2019:Oct.)
• Page Start: 846
• Page End: 856
• Publication Date: 2019-04-03
• Subjects: interspecific competition -- nitrogen deposition -- plant invasion -- Pterocypsela laciniata -- Solidago canadensis; Plant ecology -- Periodicals; Phytogeography -- Periodicals; 581.705
• DOI: 10.1093/jpe/rtz019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1752-9921

Abstract

Abstract: Aims: Change in nitrogen (N) availability regulates phosphorus (P) acquisition and potentially alters the competition among native species and invasive weeds. This study determines how current and projected N deposition affect the growth, the intraspecific and interspecific competitive ability of native and invasive plants in calcareous soils with low P availability. Methods: A controlled greenhouse experiment was conducted using sparingly soluble hydroxyapatite (HAP) to simulate the calcareous soils with low P availability. The growth and competitive intensity between an invasive weed ( Solidago canadensis ) and a native weed ( Pterocypsela laciniata ) exposed to two levels of N addition representative of current and future N deposition in China were experimentally determined. Important Findings: P acquisition and the growth of both S. canadensis and P. laciniata growing alone significantly increased with increasing N level. However, the effect of N addition was reduced when intraspecific or interspecific competition existed. N addition altered the competitive relationship between S. canadensis and P. laciniata allowing S. canadensis to out-compete P. laciniata due to variation in P acquisition from HAP. Elevated N deposition might assist the invasion of S. canadensis in the widely distributed calcareous soils under environmental changes.