The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of changing soil textures and nutrient availabilities upon biomass allocation within Brassica rapus. From the data collected, we can conclude that soil texture and it’s influence upon nutrient availability is significant in determining biomass allocation within B. rapus. In our study, we found that soil texture primarily determined root biomass while the degree of nutrient availability, provided by fertilization, primarily determined shoot biomass. This means that in sandier soils, root biomass allocation will increase as compared to that in soils with high clay contents, in order to compensate and provide greater nutrient foraging ability to find nutrients and water.
On the other hand, if nutrients are not limiting, then shoot biomass allocation will increase to compete for light with neighbouring plants. High nutrient and water retention potential associated with increased clay percentages within topsoil can increase shoot productivity, as the presence of readily available nutrients and water allows B. napus to focus energy into growth above-ground rather than below.
In the end, overall plant volume and total biomass were marginally affected by soil texture and significantly affected by the level of available nutrients present. The total biomass …show more content…
(2016), it was found that nutrient-limited habitats will tend to be dominated by plants that allocate fewer resources into stem development. This demonstrates that plants can respond and mediate effective allocation trade-offs in order to retain fitness, and that biomass allocation is a plastic trait that can be used to adapt to various environments with differing conditions. For example, species that allocate more biomass into stem development will be more populous in regions that contain higher levels of nutrients, and as they are not nutrient-limited and therefore can compete more efficiently for light resources (Yan et al.
On the other hand, if nutrients are not limiting, then shoot biomass allocation will increase to compete for light with neighbouring plants. High nutrient and water retention potential associated with increased clay percentages within topsoil can increase shoot productivity, as the presence of readily available nutrients and water allows B. napus to focus energy into growth above-ground rather than below.
In the end, overall plant volume and total biomass were marginally affected by soil texture and significantly affected by the level of available nutrients present. The total biomass …show more content…
(2016), it was found that nutrient-limited habitats will tend to be dominated by plants that allocate fewer resources into stem development. This demonstrates that plants can respond and mediate effective allocation trade-offs in order to retain fitness, and that biomass allocation is a plastic trait that can be used to adapt to various environments with differing conditions. For example, species that allocate more biomass into stem development will be more populous in regions that contain higher levels of nutrients, and as they are not nutrient-limited and therefore can compete more efficiently for light resources (Yan et al.