Leaf Phosphorus Fractions Are Coordinated with Leaf Functional Traits in Four Juvenile Tree Species from the Chinese Subtropics
Phosphorus (P) is essential for cellular processes, and P fractions within leaf tissues reflect distinct biochemical functions. However, the relationship among foliar P allocation, leaf functional traits, and soil properties in subtropical China remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated four...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Plants |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/1/4 |
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| Summary: | Phosphorus (P) is essential for cellular processes, and P fractions within leaf tissues reflect distinct biochemical functions. However, the relationship among foliar P allocation, leaf functional traits, and soil properties in subtropical China remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated four tree species to examine the relationships among foliar P fractions (orthophosphate P, metabolic P, nucleic acid P, lipid P, and residual P), key leaf functional traits (LMA, A<sub>mass</sub>, and leaf [N], and P concentrations), and soil properties. A negative correlation between the relative allocation of metabolic P (rPM) and nucleic acid P (rPN) suggested a trade-off between metabolic activity and growth. LMA was positively correlated with rPM and residual P (rPR) but negatively associated with rPN and lipid P (rPL). Similarly, leaf [N] correlated positively with rPN and negatively with rPR. Structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that foliar P allocation was primarily driven by leaf functional traits independent of soil properties. These findings underscore the critical role of leaf functional traits in shaping P allocation patterns and highlight the adaptive strategies of tree species to cope with P-deficient environments in subtropical ecosystems. |
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| ISSN: | 2223-7747 |