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Does phosphate acquisition constrain legume persistence in the fynbos of the Cape Floristic Region?

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Abstract

Abundance of Fabaceae declines in representation through post-fire-succession in fynbos vegetation of the Cape Floristic Region (CFR). This reduction in legume occurrence coincides with a known decline in post-fire soil P availability. It was hypothesized that the disappearance of legume species during post-fire succession is due to an inability to acquire P effectively from sparingly soluble sources. P-acquisition strategies and response to P supply were compared between legume (Aspalathus, Cyclopia, Indigofera, Podalyria) and non-legume (Elegia, Leucadendron, Protea) genera when supplied with 1 or 10 mg P kg−1 dry sand. Each genus consisted of a seeder (non-persistent) and resprouter (persistent) species. Non-legumes showed a greater investment in below-ground biomass, more root clusters, with higher concentrations of carboxylates exuded by cluster roots and carboxylates that were better suited to the mobilization of sparingly soluble P compared to legumes. The growth response to increased P supply was 53% higher in legumes than in non-legumes. The lack of a growth response to an elevated P supply in the non-legumes was attributed to N-limitation. Legume resprouters had a higher investment in cluster-root biomass and a lower capacity to down-regulate P-uptake than the seeders. Therefore the inability to acquire sufficient P from low concentration and sparingly soluble soil P-sources may contribute to the lack of indigenous legume persistence in fynbos vegetation of the CFR.

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Abbreviations

CFR:

Cape Floristic Region

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Central Analytical Facility at the University of Stellenbosch and Dr. Marietjie Stander for the use of their HPLC and Prof. June Juritz for statistical support. Funding assistance was provided by the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the University of Cape Town.

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  1. Department of Botany, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7701, Cape Town, South Africa

    Simon C. Power, Michael D. Cramer, G. Anthony Verboom & Samson B. M. Chimphango

  2. School of Plant Biology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia

    Michael D. Cramer

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  1. Simon C. Power
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  2. Michael D. Cramer
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  3. G. Anthony Verboom
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Correspondence to Samson B. M. Chimphango.

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Power, S.C., Cramer, M.D., Verboom, G.A. et al. Does phosphate acquisition constrain legume persistence in the fynbos of the Cape Floristic Region?. Plant Soil 334, 33–46 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-010-0311-8

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