Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus supply on stoichiometry of six elements in leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana

Plant elemental composition is of fundamental importance for plant growth and metabolic functions. However, knowledge of how multi-elemental stoichiometry responds to varying nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) availabilities remains limited. Yan et al. conducted experimental manipulations with nine repeat experiments to investigate the effects of N and P supply on the concentrations and variability of six elements, carbon (C), N, P, potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), in leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana.

N and P supplies exerted differential influences on the concentrations of C, N, P, K, Ca and Mg in green leaves. The specific C content should be considered when assessing C cycling under global nutrient changes. Stage-dependent patterns of leaf stoichiometric homeostasis differed among elements with various chemical characteristics. These findings can help to improve our understanding of plant eco-physiological responses and acclimation under global nutrient changes from the stoichiometric perspective of multiple elements.