Direct effects of nitrogen addition on seed germination of eight semi‐arid grassland species. Issue 16 (20th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Tong; Liu, Mengzhou; Huang, Xudong; Hu, Wei; Qiao, Ning; Song, Hongquan; Zhang, Bing; Zhang, Rui; Yang, Zhongling; Liu, Yinzhan; Miao, Yuan; Han, Shijie; Wang, Dong
• Is Part Of: Ecology and evolution. Volume 10:Issue 16(2020)
• Page Start: 8793
• Page End: 8800
• Publication Date: 2020-07-20
• Subjects: atmospheric nitrogen deposition -- germination rate -- plant diversity -- plant functional group; Ecology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; 577.05
• DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6576
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-7758

Abstract

Abstract: Seed germination plays an important role in mediating plant species composition of grassland communities under nitrogen (N) enrichment. Shifts of plant community structure with N‐enhanced deposition in terrestrial ecosystems have occurred globally. Despite numerous studies about the effects of enhanced N deposition on mature plant communities, few studies have focused on seed germination. Using a laboratory experiment, we report the effects of five N concentrations, including 0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mM N (NH4 NO3 ) on seed germination of eight semi‐arid grassland species. Results showed that low N concentrations (5‐ and 20‐mM N) promoted mean final germination proportion of all eight species by 4.4% and 6.4%, but high concentrations (40 mM N) had no effect. The mean germination rate was decreased 2.1% and 5.1% by higher N concentration (20‐ and 40‐mM N) levels, but germination start time showed the opposite trend, delayed by 0.7, 0.9, and 1.8 d for the 10, 20, and 40 mM N treatments. Final germination proportion, mean germination rate, and germination start time were significantly different among species in response to N concentration treatments. The final germination proportion of Allium tenuissimum and Chenopodium glaucum were suppressed by increased N concentration, whereas it increased for Potentilla bifurca, Plantago asiatica, and Setaria viridis . Our findings provide novel insights into N deposition‐induced species loss based on seed germination factors in semi‐arid grassland communities. Abstract : Low N concentrations promoted mean final germination proportion of all species. The responses of eight species to N addition were differences. Mean germination rate was lower at higher N concentration levels.