Plant–soil feedback alters plant–soil–microbial nutrient status and elemental-limitation status during secondary succession

Abstract

The response of plant−soil−microbial nutrients and stoichiometry to plant−soil feedback (PSF) during secondary succession (SS) is an important driver of plant−community recovery. However, the plant−soil−microbe responses to PSFduring SS are unknown. The effects of PSF on plants at different successionalstages and successional soils regulated by these plants were tested in this study by potting experiments. Results indicated that soils conditioned by Setaria viridis (EarlySoil) and soils conditioned by Artemisia sacrorum (MidSoil) feedback significantly increased the potassium content of Artemisia sacrorum (MidSp) and Bothriochloa ischaemum (LateSp), respectively. MidSp and Setaria viridis (EarlySp) aboveground carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus contents were promoted by soils conditioned by Bothriochloa ischaemum (LateSoil) and MidSoil, respectively, but provided negative feedbacks on below-ground carbon and phosphorus. The EarlySp and MidSp significantly increased other nutrients in the MidSoil and LateSoil except water-soluble nutrients, the LateSp and MidSp significantly increased the soil nutrients in the MidSoil and EarlySoil, and the MidSp significantly increased their enzyme activity most significantly. Despite the significant impact of PSF on plant stoichiometry, reducing the intensity of phosphorus limitation, plant growth was always phosphorus limited. PSF changed the nitrogen limit of microorganisms, but microorganisms were always limited by phosphorus. Soil physicochemical properties and microbial abundance regulated by MidSp (or EarlySp) were facilitated by LateSp (or MidSp), which ultimately accelerated the SS process. This confirmed the irreversibility of SS and provided new information on plant-soil-microbe dynamics during SS.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Loess Plateau / secondary succession / plant−soil feedback / ecological stoichiometry / nutrient usage strategies / element restriction status

Highlight

	● LateSoil feedback will change EarlySp and MidSp nutrient utilization strategies.
	● LateSp plant feedback will change the N restriction of microorganisms.
	● The intensity of plant P limitation diminishes with succession.
	● Enzyme activity more significantly affects plant nutrients than soil nutrients.
	● N and P remain major influences on vegetation growth after PSF impacts.
	● MidSp and LateSp are more affected by soil water-soluble and fast-acting nutrients.

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