Abstract

Stoichiometric relations in plants, with emphasis on C:N:P, are reviewed. Both theoretically and empirically it is found for whole plants as well as for different tissues that: nitrogen concentrations increase slower than phosphorus concentrations. A lack of data prevents the establishment of relations between nitrogen and other elements. Optimal element ratios where elements are simultaneously limiting growth can be established. There is a considerable variability around these optimal ratios in observed values. Conclusions about the ecological significance of stoichiometric relations based on these observations may therefore be biased. The significance of this variability remains to be established.

Keywords

excess uptake; nitrogen; optimal ratios; phosphorus

Published in

Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics
2008, Volume: 39, pages: 153-170
ISBN: 978-0-8243-1439-2

SLU Authors

• Ågren, Göran

  • Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.39.110707.173515

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/18851