title: Genome size and ploidy influence angiosperm species' biomass under nitrogen and phosphorus limitation.
abstract: Angiosperm genome sizes (GS) range c. 2400-fold, and as nucleic acids are amongst the most phosphorus- (P) and nitrogen (N)-demanding cellular biomolecules, we test the hypothesis that a key influence on plant biomass and species composition is the interaction between N and P availability and plant GS. We analysed the impact of different nutrient regimes on above-ground biomass of angiosperm species with different GS, ploidy level and Grime's C-S-R (competitive, stress-tolerant, ruderal) plant strategies growing at the Park Grass Experiment (Rothamsted, UK), established in 1856. The biomass-weighted mean GS of species growing on plots with the addition of both N and P fertilizer were significantly higher than that of plants growing on control plots and plots with either N or P. The plants on these N + P plots are dominated by polyploids with large GS and a competitive plant strategy. The results are consistent with our hypothesis that large genomes are costly to build and maintain under N and P limitation. Hence GS and ploidy are significant traits affecting biomass growth under different nutrient regimes, influencing plant community composition and ecosystem dynamics. We propose that GS is a critical factor needed in models that bridge the knowledge gap between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK.|Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3DS, UK.
authors.forename: Maïté S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Guignard
authors.affiliation: School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK.
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Nichols
authors.affiliation: School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Knell
authors.affiliation: Department of Sustainable Soils and Grassland Systems, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK.
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Macdonald
authors.affiliation: School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK.
authors.forename: Catalina-Andreea
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Romila
authors.affiliation: School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trimmer
authors.affiliation: Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3DS, UK.
authors.forename: Ilia J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Leitch
authors.affiliation: School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Leitch
mesh_terms: D044822:Biodiversity; D018533:Biomass; D017753:Ecosystem; D005308:Fertilizers; D059646:Genome Size; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000172:deficiency*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000172:deficiency*; D011003:Ploidies
chemical_list: D005308:Fertilizers; D010758:Phosphorus; D009584:Nitrogen
keywords: C-S-R strategy; Park Grass; genome size; nitrogen; nutrient limitation; phosphate; plant community; polyploidy