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Phytotoxicity, not nitrogen immobilization, explains plant litter inhibitory effects: evidence from solid‐state 13 C NMR spectroscopy
Author(s) -
Bonanomi Giuliano,
Incerti Guido,
Barile Elisa,
Capodilupo Manuela,
Antignani Vincenzo,
Mingo Antonio,
Lanzotti Virginia,
Scala Felice,
Mazzoleni Stefano
Publication year - 2011
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 - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2011.03765.x
Subject(s) - litter , nutrient , phytotoxicity , germination , chemistry , plant litter , seedling , nitrogen , decomposition , botany , agronomy , biology , organic chemistry
Summary• Litter decomposition provides nutrients that sustain ecosystem productivity, but litter may also hamper root proliferation. The objectives of this work were to assess the inhibitory effect of litter decomposition on seedling growth and root proliferation; to study the role of nutrient immobilization and phytotoxicity; and to characterize decomposing litter by 13 C NMR spectroscopy. • A litter‐bag experiment was carried out for 180 d with 16 litter types. Litter inhibitory effects were assessed by two bioassays: seed germination and root proliferation bioassays. Activated carbon (C) and nutrient solutions were used to evaluate the effects of phytotoxic factors and nutrient immobilization. • An inhibitory effect was found for all species in the early phase of decomposition, followed by a decrease over time. The addition of activated C to litter removed this inhibition. No evidence of nutrient immobilization was found in the analysis of nitrogen dynamics. NMR revealed consistent chemical changes during decomposition, with a decrease in O ‐alkyl and an increase in alkyl and methoxyl C. • Significant correlations were found among inhibitory effects, the litter decay rate and indices derived from NMR. The results show that it is possible to predict litter inhibitory effects across a range of litter types on the basis of their chemical composition.