Work

Nitrogen and Phosphorus Stoichiometry of Bolboschoenus planiculmis Plants in Soda–Alkali Wetlands Undergoing Agricultural Drainage Water Input in a Semi-Arid Region

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: In semi-arid regions, wetlands often face water scarcity, salinity, and alkalinity stresses. Agricultural drainage water has been used to restore degraded wetlands, but it alters water quality and plant growth and resource distribution. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) stoichiometry reflect plant resource strategies. In China’s Songnen Plain, Bolboschoenus planiculmis, a key plant in soda–alkali wetlands and food for the rare white crane (Grus leucogeranus), is impacted by agricultural water input. However, the N and P stoichiometry in B. planiculmis and the influencing water variables remain unclear. This study analyzed N and P contents in B. planiculmis leaves, stems, tubers, and roots, and water variables. Results showed that leaf N content was highest, while tuber P content exceeded that of other organs. Leaf nitrogen to phosphorus (N:P) ratio was highest, and tuber’s was the lowest. N and P contents in plants were positively correlated, except between roots and stems. Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed water temperature (T), oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), N contents, and water depth (WD) as key factors influencing N and P stoichiometry. Structural equation models (SEMs) indicated water T negatively affected plant N, while water nitrate nitrogen positively affected it. Water P content directly influenced leaf and stem P, and ammonium nitrogen affected aboveground P accumulation. Water T and WD directly impacted N:P ratios. These findings show that while agricultural drainage water alleviated aridification and salinization in degraded soda–alkali wetlands, exogenous N and P inputs significantly affected vegetation’s N and P utilization strategies.

Source: Plants

DOI: 10.3390/plants14050787

Authors: Yu An, Le Wang, Bo Liu, Haitao Wu, Shouzheng Tong

Institutions: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology

Language: English

Topic: Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics

Subfield: Environmental Chemistry

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Zero hunger, Life on land

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,258