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Root trait responses of six temperate grassland species to intensive mowing and NPK fertilisation: a field study in a temperate grassland

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Abstract

Background and aims

Plant traits may characterize functional ecosystem properties and help to predict community responses to environmental change. Since most traits used relate to aboveground plant organs we aim to explore the indicative value of root traits.

Methods

We examined the response of root traits (specific root length [SRL], specific root surface area [SRA], root diameter [RD], root tissue mass density [TMD], root N concentration) in six grassland species (3 grasses, 3 herbs) to four management regimes (low vs. high mowing frequency; no fertilization vs. high NPK fertilization). The replicated experiment in temperate grassland with long continuity simulated the increase in grassland management intensity in the past 50 years in Central Europe.

Results

Increasing mowing frequency (one vs. three cuts per year) led to no significant root trait changes. NPK fertilization resulted in considerable trait shifts with all species responding in the same direction (higher SRL, SRA and N concentration, lower TMD) but at different magnitude. Fertilization-driven increases in SRA were mainly caused by lowered tissue density while root diameter reduction was the main driver of SRL increases.

Conclusion

We conclude that root morphological traits may be used as valuable indicators of environmental change and increasing fertilization in grasslands.

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Acknowledgments

This study is part of the Cluster of Excellence ‘Functional Biodiversity Research’, funded by the Ministry of Science and Culture of Lower Saxony and the “Niedersächsisches Vorab”. The financial support is gratefully acknowledged. We thank Dietrich Hertel for valuable advice during the field campaign and Lars Köhler for manifold support with the site management.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plant Ecology, Albrecht-von-Haller Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Göttingen, Untere Karspüle 2, 37073, Göttingen, Germany

    Christoph Leuschner & Stefanie Gebel

  2. Biogeography, Institute for Physical Geography, J.W. Goethe University, Altenhöferallee 1, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

    Laura Rose

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  1. Christoph Leuschner
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  2. Stefanie Gebel
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Correspondence to Laura Rose.

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Responsible Editor: Duncan D. Cameron.

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Leuschner, C., Gebel, S. & Rose, L. Root trait responses of six temperate grassland species to intensive mowing and NPK fertilisation: a field study in a temperate grassland. Plant Soil 373, 687–698 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-013-1836-4

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