PHOSPHORUS ACQUISITION IN FOUR CO‐EXISTING SPECIES FROM MONTANE GRASSLAND

Abstract

Phosphorus acquisition was examined in four co‐existing species from montane grassland. The effect of inorganic phosphate (Pi) concentration on relative growth rate was studied and an attempt was made to determine whether inorganic or organic phosphates are the immediate sources of phosphorus for these plants using assays of Pi uptake kinetics and of root surface phosphatases. These data are also used to assess whether the availability of phosphorus might limit plant growth in this montane grassland. Potential uptake rates are unlikely to limit growth via Pi supply. There appears to be no preference for a specific phosphate source for growth with any species examined. Mycorrhizal infection does not appear to be a prerequisite for successful phosphate acquisition in these co‐existing species. Copyright © 1983, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved