Resorption of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium from leaves of lucerne stands of different ages

Abstract

Nutrient resorption from the senesced to the green leaves can help a plant re-use elements, thus improving adaptability and persistence. How the resorption of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) varies among differently aged lucerne (Medicago sativa) stands and how they correlate to their stoichiometry in the leaves and soil remain uncertain. This study aimed to analyze the resorption efficiencies (REs) of N, P and K and their possible correlations with stoichiometric ratios in the plant and soil. The concentrations of plant N, P and K and soil N, P, K and carbon (C) were measured under lucerne stands established in different years, and stoichiometric ratios and REs were calculated. The relationships of REs with stoichiometric ratios were analyzed. The nitrogen resorption efficiency (NRE) was quite variable among the different stands and tended to rise and then drop with stand age, ranging from 4.6 to 33.7 % with an average of 16.2 %. The phosphorus resorption efficiency (PRE) tended to increase with stand age, ranging from 11.1 to 38.3 % with an average of 27.3 %. The potassium resorption efficiency (KRE) increased with stand age, ranging from 21.0 to 49.8 % with an average of 36.9 %. The KRE was generally highest, followed by the PRE, and the NRE was lowest. Leaf N:P and N:K generally decreased and then increased with stand age, while the K:P increased and then decreased. In the green leaves, total N concentration increased significantly with NRE and PRE, and total P concentration rose significantly with PRE, while in the senesced leaves, total N concentration decreased significantly with NRE and KRE. The N:P in the green leaves decreased significantly with PRE and the K:P in the senesced leaves dropped with NRE. Furthermore, the REs decreased with total soil nutrition status if there was any correlation. The REs increased significantly with soil ammonium N concentration, while the NRE decreased significantly with soil nitrate N concentration. In addition, soil available P concentration at most depths led to significant increases in NRE and KRE. However, the REs were rarely influenced by stoichiometric ratios of soil N, P, K and C. The NRE rose and then dropped, and the PRE and KRE both increased with stand age. Leaf N:P and N:K generally decreased and then increased with stand age, while K:P increased and then decreased. The concentrations of N, P and K increased in the green leaves and decreased in the senesced leaves with REs if there was any correlation. The REs decreased with total soil nutrition status if there was any correlation. However, the REs hardly changed with stoichiometric ratios in the leaves and soil under differently aged lucerne stands. There appear to be no correlations between REs and element stoichiometries.