Aims: Co-limitation of ecosystem productivity by nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) is gaining increasing recognition, but how co-limitation through N and P interactions differs among different terrestrial ecosystems remains unclear. Methods: We performed a meta-analysis of 133 independent studies conducted in four natural terrestrial ecosystems to examine the interactive effects of N and P additions on ten plant growth-related variables. Results: Adding N and P individually or in combination significantly increased aboveground biomass (AGB), and the interactions were uniformly synergistic for AGB, and additive for belowground biomass (BGB), but variable for other eight growth-related variables among four different ecosystems. The interaction was synergistic for leaf P and soil NO3-N only in tropical forests, and antagonistic for soil available P (AP) in tropical forests, leaf N in grasslands, root P in wetlands, and leaf P and soil NH4-N in tundra. The interaction for leaf N: P ratios was additive only in tropical forests, and synergistic in the other three ecosystems. Conclusions: Our results highlighted the interactions of N and P additions can promote uptake of both nutrients by plants, and plants tend to maintain the optimal nutrient balance for growth and reproduction through regulating biomass production and tissue nutrient concentrations.
CITATION STYLE
Jiang, J., Wang, Y. P., Yang, Y., Yu, M., Wang, C., & Yan, J. (2019). Interactive effects of nitrogen and phosphorus additions on plant growth vary with ecosystem type. Plant and Soil, 440(1–2), 523–537. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-019-04119-5
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