Helophytes adapt to water and N-enrichment stresses by adjusting and coordinating stoichiometry characteristics in main organs

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2023-11, Vol.898, p.165538-165538, Article 165538
• Main Authors: Zhou, Mengdie, Jin, Xianglong, Jiang, Ming, Lü, Xianguo, Lou, Yanjing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation strategies; Ecological stoichiometry; Nutrient stress; Organ coordination; Water stress; Wetland plants
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165538

Exploring the adaptation strategies of plants under stressful environments from an ecological stoichiometry perspective is a critical but underexplored research topic, and multi-organ collaborative research for multi-species can provide a comprehensive understanding. In this study, helophytes were selected as the subjects, and water depth and water N-enrichment were set as the stressors. A simulation experiment including three water depths (drought stress, control and flooding stress) and four water N-enrichment levels (control, low, medium and high N-enrichment stresses) for six helophyte species was carried out. Overall, C concentrations in all plant organs remained stable under water (drought-flooding stress) and N-enrichment stress. N concentrations increased under both flooding and drought stresses, while P concentrations and the N:P ratio showed an increase and decrease under only flooding stress, respectively. N concentration and N:P ratio increased with water N-enrichment level. The interaction only promoted the accumulation of N concentrations in aboveground organs. Especially, several species also changed organ C concentrations to adapt to water stress and adjusted root N concentrations for the combined stresses of flooding or drought and high N. Leaf and stem were strongly synergistic in N element, and leaf and root were mainly synergistic in P element. Water N-enrichment determined organ element concentrations more than water depth, and species identity dictated organ C:N:P ratios. Our results reveal that the allocation and synergy of nutrients among organs are important adaptive strategies for plants in stressful environments. Meanwhile, increasing water N-enrichment can be an unignored stressor, and species identity should be paid attention as a countermeasure. [Display omitted] •Organ nutrient concentrations varied with water and N-enrichment stresses.•Organ synergy to water stress existed between leaf and stem N and leaf and root P.•N-enrichment determines organ nutrient concentrations more than water depth.•Species identity dictates organ C:N:P ratios.•Stoichiometry-based nutrient strategies were vital for plants to water stress.