Plant stored reserves do not drive resprouting of the lignotuberous shrub Erica australis.

Abstract

• Lignotuberous plants store carbohydrates and mineral nutrients within the lignotuber. Resprouting vigour may depend on stored reserves, as well as on the availability of soil mineral nutrients and water. • Here the role played by plant reserves and soil resources on the resprouting response of Erica australis was analysed after clipping plants in 13 different stands, varying in soil resource availability and in plant reserves. • There were significant among-site differences for resprout biomass and maximum length, but not for resprout number, 1 yr after clipping. Plant reserves at the time of clipping were not significantly correlated with resprout number, length or biomass. However, resprouting variables were significantly correlated with soil nitrogen or extractable cations, or plant water potentials. Resprout biomass and maximum length were negatively correlated with lignotuber size. • These findings indicate that the assumption that resprouting vigor in lignotuberous plants is primarily dependent on the amount of reserves stored in the lignotuber must be revised, as well as the overall role of lignotubers in resprouting.