Abstract
The degree of stoichiometric homeostasis can be indicated by the homeostatic coefficient (H), which reflects the ability of plants to maintain a stable nutrient composition regardless of changes in environmental nutrients. In previous studies, H had been determined primarily in herbs and varied significantly among organs and growth stages. However, whether H varies according to organ-type and age in tree species is unknown. In this study, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization experiments were conducted in young and mature Metasequoia glyptostroboides plantation stands. The H of N (HN) and H of N:P (HN:P) was found in young trees, H of P (HP) and HN:P existed in mature trees. Also, leaf HN:P of mature trees was greater than that of young trees (P < 0.05), and H showed significant difference among organs in mature trees (P < 0.05), but not in young trees (P > 0.05). Thus, stoichiometric homeostasis varied with tree age and among organs, and leaf N:P was more tightly constrained in mature trees than in young trees. These findings imply that stoichiometric homeostasis is coupled to tree growth and development, which suggest N limitation for young trees and P limitation for mature trees, at least in M. glyptostroboides.
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