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Seasonal effect of the exotic invasive plant Solidago gigantea on soil pH and P fractions
Author(s) -
Herr Cécile,
ChapuisLardy Lydie,
Dassonville Nicolas,
Vanderhoeven Sonia,
Meerts Pierre
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of plant nutrition and soil science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.644
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1522-2624
pISSN - 1436-8730
DOI - 10.1002/jpln.200625190
Subject(s) - solidago canadensis , rhizosphere , biomass (ecology) , topsoil , botany , chemistry , biogeochemical cycle , biology , agronomy , invasive species , soil water , environmental chemistry , ecology , genetics , bacteria
Invasions by alien plants can alter biogeochemical cycles in recipient ecosystems. We test if Early Goldenrod ( Solidago gigantea ) alters P fractions. To that end, we compare invaded plots and adjacent, uninvaded resident vegetation for specific fractions of organic and inorganic P, phosphomonoesterase (PME) activity in topsoil, and immobilization of P in above‐ and belowground organs and in soil microbial biomass. Invaded plots had lower soil pH and 20%–30% higher labile P fractions (resin‐P i , bicarb‐P i , NaOH‐Pi), and the difference was consistent across seasons. There was no difference in microbial P. Alkaline‐PME activity was 30% lower in topsoil of invaded plots. Annual P uptake in aboveground phytomass was not markedly higher in Solidago. In contrast, P in belowground organs steadily increased in autumn in invaded plots, due to both increased biomass and increased P concentrations. This indicated higher net P immobilization in Solidago , far in excess of both resorption from senescing shoots and P requirements for aboveground biomass in subsequent year. Higher turnover rates of P in belowground organs and mobilization of sparingly soluble P forms through rhizosphere acidification may be involved in the observed differences in soil P status between invaded and uninvaded plots.