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Leaf absorption of mineral nutrients in carnivorous plants stimulates root nutrient uptake
Author(s) -
Adamec Lubomír
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1469-8137.2002.00441.x
Subject(s) - nutrient , carnivorous plant , biomass (ecology) , biology , botany , agronomy , ecology , predation
Summary• The mineral nutrition of terrestrial carnivorous plants was investigated under glasshouse conditions to elucidate ecophysiological adaptations of this plant group. • In Drosera capillaris and D. capensis , absorption of N, P, K, and Mg from insects was relatively efficient (> 43%), whereas that of Ca was not. Carnivorous plants ( D. capensis, D. peltata, D. scorpioides, and Dionaea muscipula ) exhibited a high efficiency of re‐utilization of N (70–82%), P (51–92%), and K (41–99%) from senescing leaves. Re‐utilization of Mg was low or negative, and that of Ca highly negative. • In a growth experiment, foliar nutrient supply led to markedly increased growth and nutrient accumulation in D. capillaris, D. aliciae , and D. spathulata . In all the three species tested it was demonstrated that leaf‐supplied nutrients were accumulated in the plant biomass and even stimulated root nutrient uptake. • These results suggest that the main physiological effect of leaf nutrient absorption from prey is a stimulation of root nutrient uptake.