Abstract
High-nutrient-adapted and low-nutrient-adapted species of New Zealand tussock grasses (Chionochloa), barley (Hordeum), and several taiga trees were grown at three rates of phosphorus supply. Low-nutrient-adapted species in each group of species had similar (grasses) or lower (trees) capacities for phosphate absorption, were less efficient in producing biomass (i.e. had higher nutrient concentrations), and grew more slowly than high-nutrient-adapted species. I conclude that the major adaptation to low nutrient availability in each of these comparisons is a slow growth rate that reduces the annual nutrient requirement.
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References
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Chapin, F.S. Adaptation of selected trees and grasses to low availability of phosphorus. Plant Soil 72, 283–287 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02181967
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02181967