Alfalfa adapts to soil nutrient surplus and deficiency by adjusting the stoichiometric characteristics of main organs and nutrient reabsorption

Simple item page
dc.citation.issue1
dc.citation.volume25
dc.contributor.authorSun Y
dc.contributor.authorHui J
dc.contributor.authorYang K
dc.contributor.authorWei K
dc.contributor.authorWang X
dc.contributor.authorCartmill AD
dc.contributor.authorLópez IF
dc.contributor.authorQi Y
dc.contributor.authorMa C
dc.contributor.authorZhang Q
dc.date.accessioned2025-10-24T00:42:01Z
dc.date.available2025-10-24T00:42:01Z
dc.date.issued2025-12-01
dc.description.abstractAccurate nutrient diagnosis is essential for simulating alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) yield and optimizing resource-use efficiency under diverse soil nutrient conditions. However, limited knowledge exists about how fertilization impacts soil–plant nutrient stoichiometric constraints, especially in nutrient-deficient gray desert soils. This study conducted a field experiment with four nitrogen (N) application rates: 0, 60, 120, and 180 kg N∙ha−1 and four phosphorus (P) application rates: 0, 50, 100, and 150 kg P2O5∙ha−1. We assessed changes in the nutrient limitation characteristics of alfalfa and identified its primary driving factors, focusing on soil nutrient perspectives, nutrient distribution in main organs (leaves, shoots, and roots) and nutrient resorption. The results demonstrated that fertilization increased N and P concentrations in various alfalfa organs while reducing carbon (C) content. A strong synergy was observed in nutrient concentrations across the different alfalfa organs. With increasing application of single-nutrient fertilizers, the C:N and C:P ratios in alfalfa organs decreased, while the N:P ratio stabilized under conditions of sufficient or co-limiting soil N and P. Alfalfa N:P ratios under different fertilization treatments were 4.89–5.46 in roots, 6.19–8.45 in stems, and 9.10–15.16 in leaves. The C:N and C:P ratios were significantly negatively correlated with alfalfa yield, but the relationship between the N:P ratio and yield was not statistically significant. Soil nutrient status positively influenced N and P concentrations in leaves, stems, and roots, however, their effect on stoichiometric ratios was primarily mediated through indirect effects on corresponding organ-level nutrients. Moreover, soil nutrients directly or indirectly explained 98% of the variation in nutrient resorption in leaves. In conclusion, fertilization indirectly affects the stoichiometric characteristics of alfalfa organs via soil nutrients. Adjusting fertilizer nutrient ratios can mitigate nutrient limitations in both soil and alfalfa, providing valuable insights for fertilizer formulation, timing of fertilizer application, and fertilization application strategies. Highlights 1.Fertilization alters the C-N-P stoichiometry of the soil–plant system. 2.The stoichiometric characteristics and ratios of different organs exhibit a certain degree of synergy. 3.Stoichiometric ratios can represent nutrient limitation to a certain extent. 4.Soil nutrient changes affect the stoichiometric characteristics and ratios of alfalfa.
dc.description.confidentialfalse
dc.edition.editionDecember 2025
dc.format.pagination1384-
dc.identifier.citationSun Y, Hui J, Yang K, Wei K, Wang X, Cartmill AD, López IF, Qi Y, Ma C, Zhang Q. (2025). Alfalfa adapts to soil nutrient surplus and deficiency by adjusting the stoichiometric characteristics of main organs and nutrient reabsorption. BMC Plant Biology. 25. 1. (pp. 1384-).
dc.identifier.doi10.1186/s12870-025-07360-6
dc.identifier.eissn1471-2229
dc.identifier.elements-typejournal-article
dc.identifier.issn1471-2229
dc.identifier.number1384
dc.identifier.urihttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/73722
dc.languageEnglish
dc.publisherBioMed Central Ltd
dc.publisher.urihttps://bmcplantbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12870-025-07360-6
dc.relation.isPartOfBMC Plant Biology
dc.rights(c) 2025 The Author/s
dc.rightsCC BY-NC-ND 4.0
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
dc.subjectFertilization management
dc.subjectSoil–plant interaction
dc.subjectNutrient cycling
dc.subjectNutrient reabsorption
dc.subjectStoichiometric characteristic
dc.titleAlfalfa adapts to soil nutrient surplus and deficiency by adjusting the stoichiometric characteristics of main organs and nutrient reabsorption
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.elements-id503798
pubs.organisational-groupOther
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
503798 PDF.pdf
Size:
5.62 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Published version.pdf
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
9.22 KB
Format:
Plain Text
Description:
Download
Collections
Journal Articles