Biological denitrification inhibition (BDI) with procyanidins induces modification of root traits, growth and N status in Fallopia x bohemica

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) limits plant growth in many ecosystems and denitrification is a major source of N loss from soils. Fallopia spp. is an invasive plant species complex adapted to low-fertility soils, which is responsible for biological denitrification inhibition (BDI) through the production of procyanidins. However, the extent to which procyanidins can affect Fallopia spp. via BDI has not yet been shown. We investigated how procyanidins can generate plant trait modifications in Fallopia x bohemica by adding them, or not, to soil mesocosms planted, or not, with F. x bohemica. Soil denitrification enzyme activity (DEA), soil substrate induced respiration (SIR), nitrification enzyme activity (NEA), N-mineralization and total N, and NO3− concentrations were measured in the soil of planted mesocosms. NO3− concentrations were measured in unplanted mesocosms. Leaf and root N contents and above- and belowground plant traits were measured. In unplanted soils, procyanidins induced a six-fold increase in NO3−. Procyanidins inhibited DEA but not SIR, NEA and N-mineralization in planted soil. Procyanidins increased root N content marginally and biomass allocation to roots, while modifying root traits associated with an increase in nutrient acquisition capacity. Our results suggest that a plant-soil feedback related to BDI could result from procyanidin production in Fallopia spp..