Abstract
Rumex alpinus, an alpine nitrophilous species, is a troublesome weed in pastures. Nutrient uptake and distributions in the organs of Rumex alpinus are not well-studied. We aimed to determine the distribution of macroelements in organs of Rumex alpinus together with the nitrogen-phosphorus potassium ratio (NPK) and the resorption efficiency of N, P, K, calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) in the Alps of Austria, Italy, and the Krkonoše (Giant) Mountains, Czech Republic. The pseudo-total and plant-available N, P, K, Ca, and Mg in soils and organs of Rumex alpinus (emerging, mature, and senescent leaves, petioles, stems, and rhizomes) were extracted with aqua regia and Mehlich-3 procedures, respectively, followed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. The contents of total and available macroelements in the soils reflected high variability with localities. There was a significant effect of locality and organs on the element contents, indicating differences in nutrition. Rumex alpinus exhibited higher N and P contents in emerging and mature leaves than in the senescent compared to Ca and Mg. The N:P and N:K ratios in the mature leaves were within the normal range but were indicative of comparatively higher demand for P. The mean resorption efficiency for N, P, and K was 52, 50, and 22%, respectively, lower than values for most terrestrial plants (62, 65, and 70%). The relatively high availability of macroelements in soils and plant organs with low N, P, and K resorption efficiency indicates a high N, P, and especially K-demanding species of Rumex alpinus.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aerts R, Chapin FS (2000) The mineral nutrition of wild plants revisited: a re-evaluation of processes and patterns. Adv Ecol Res 30:1–67
Anton A, Mathe-Gaspar G (2005) Factors affecting heavy metal uptake in plant selection for phytoremediation. Z Naturforsch C 60:244–246
Bohner A (2005) Rumicetum alpini Beger 1922—species composition, soil-chemical properties, and mineral element content. Wulfenia 12:113–126
Brant AN, Chen HYH (2015) Patterns and mechanisms of nutrient resorption in plants. Critical Reviews in Plant Sci 34:471–486. https://doi.org/10.1080/07352689.2015.1078611
Bucharová A (2003) Rumex alpinus v Krkonoších – rozšíření a management. Rumex alpinus in the Giant Mountains - distribution and management. Master’s Thesis, Charlse University in Prague, Czech Republic
Burt JW, Rice KJ (2009) Not all ski slopes are created equal: disturbance intensity affects ecosystem properties. Ecol Appl 19:2242–2253. https://doi.org/10.1890/08-0719.1
Canton FR, Suarez MF, Canovas FM (2005) Molecular aspects of nitrogen mobilization and recycling in trees. Photosyn Res 83:265–278. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11120-004-9366-9
Chen Q, Mu X, Chen F, Yuan L, Mi G (2016) Dynamic change of mineral nutrient content in different plant organs during the grain filling stage in maize grown under contrasting nitrogen supply. Eur J Agron 80:137–153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2016.08.002
Cole JC, Smith MW, Penn CJ, Cheary BS, Conaghan KJ (2016) Nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium applied individually or as a slow-release or controlled-release fertilizer increase growth and yield and affect macronutrient and micronutrient concentration and content of field-grown tomato plants. Sci Hortic 211:420–430. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2016.09.028
de las Heras J, Hernández-Tecles EJ, Moya D (2017) Seasonal nutrient retranslocation in reforested Pinus halepensis Mill. stands in Southeast Spain. New Forests 48:397. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-016-9564-2
Delgado M, Valle S, Reyes-Díaz M, Barra PJ, Zúñiga-Feest A (2018) Nutrient use efficiency of Southern South America Proteaceae Species. Are there general patterns in the Proteaceae family? Front Plant Sci. 9:883. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.00883
Delimat A, Kiełtyk P (2019) Impact of troublesome expansive weed Rumex alpinus on species diversity of mountain pastures in Tatra National Park, Poland. Biologia 74:15–24. https://doi.org/10.2478/s11756-018-0148-9
Ding D, Arif M, Liu M, Li J, Hu X, Geng Q, Yin F, Li C (2022) Plant-soil interactions and C: N: P stoichiometric homeostasis of plant organs in riparian plantation. Front Plant Sci 13:979023. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.979023
Doležal J, Kurnotová M, Šťastná P, Klimešová J (2020) Alpine plant growth and reproduction dynamics in a warmer world. Phytol 228:1295–1305. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.16790
Evans JR, Clarke C (2019) The nitrogen cost of photosynthesis. J Exp Bot 70:7–15. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/ery366
Francová A, Šillerová H, Chrastný V, Kocourková J, Komárek M (2017) Suitability of selected bioindicators of atmospheric pollution in the industrialized region of Ostrava, Upper Silesia, Czech Republic. Environ Monit Assess 189:478. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-6199-5
Frey BB (2018) The SAGE encyclopedia of educational research, measurement, and evaluation, 4th edn. SAGE Publications, Inc. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781506326139
Gao J, Song Z, Liu Y (2019) Response mechanisms of leaf nutrients of endangered plant (Acer catalpifolium) to environmental factors varied at different growth stages. Glob Ecol Conserv 17:e00521. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00521
Gaweda M (2009) Heavy metal content in common sorrel plants (Rumex acetosa L.) obtained from natural sites in Malopolska province. Pol J Environ Stud 18:213–218
Grieve M (2013) Botanical. com: a modern herbal. https: //www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/r/rhubar14.html. Accessed 19 Feb 2022
Grime JP, Hodgson JG, Hunt R (2007) Comparative plant ecology: a functional approach to common British species, 2nd edn. Castlepoint Press, Colvend, UK
Gros R, Monrozier LJ, Bartoli F, Chotte JL, Faivre P (2004) Relationships between soil physico-chemical properties and microbial activity along a restoration chronosequence of alpine grasslands following ski run construction. Appl Soil Ecol 27:7–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2004.03.004
Hejcman M, Klaudisová M, Štursa J, Pavlů V, Hakl J, Schellberg J, Hejcmanová P, Rauch O, Vacek S (2007) Revisiting a 37years abandoned fertilizer experiment on Nardus grassland in the Czech Republic. Agric Ecosyst Environ 118:231–236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2006.05.027
Hejcman M, Száková J, Schellberg J, Tlustoš P (2009) The Rengen Grassland Experiment: soil contamination by trace elements after 65 years of Ca, N, P, and K fertilizer application. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 83:39–50. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-008-9197-8
Hejcman M, Jouany C, Cruz P, Morel C, Stroia C, Theau JP (2014) Subsoil P status could explain the absence of resilience in plant species composition of subalpine grassland 63 years after the last fertilizer application. Sci Agric Bohem 45(2):75–84. https://doi.org/10.7160/sab.2014.450201
Jones JB (2012) Plant nutrition and soil fertility manual, 2nd edn. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp 78–80
Jones RJA, Houšková B, Bullock P, Montanarella L (2005) Soil resources of Europe, 2nd edn. European Soil Bureau Research Report No.9, Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg pp 47–200
Jungová M, Asare MO, Jurasová V, Hejcman M (2022) Distribution of micro- (Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn) and risk (Al, As, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Cd) elements in the organs of Rumex alpinus L. in the Alps and Krkonoše Mountains. Plant Soil 477:553–575. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-022-05440-2
Kazakou E, Garnier E, Navas ML, Roumet C, Collin C, Laurent G (2007) Components of nutrient residence time and the leaf economics spectrum in species from Mediterranean old-fields differing in successional status. Funct Ecol 21:235–245. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2435.2006.01242.x
Klimeš L (1992) The clone architecture of Rumex alpinus (Polygonaceae). Oikos 63:402–409
Klimeš L, Klimešová J, Osbornová J (1993) Regeneration capacity and carbohydrate reserves in a clonal plant Rumex alpinus: effect of burial. Veget 109:153–160
Klimešová J, Klimeš L (1996) Effects of rhizome age and nutrient availability on carbohydrate reserves in Rumex alpinus rhizomes. Biológia 51:457–461
Kołodziejek J (2019) Growth and competitive interaction between seedlings of an invasive Rumex confertus and co-occurring two native Rumex species in relation to nutrient availability. Sci Rep 9:3298. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-39947-z
Kong M, Kang J, Han C-L, Gu Y-J, Siddique KHM, Li F-M (2020) Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium resorption responses of alfalfa to increasing soil water and P availability in a semi-arid environment. Agronomy 10:310. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10020310
Kopecký K (1973) Je šťovík alpinský (Rumex alpinus L.) v Orlických horách původní? Is the Alpine sorrel (Rumex alpinus) native to the Eagle Mountains? Preslia, Praha 45:132–139
Krahulec F, Bureš L (2019) Alpine and subalpine habitats. In: Jongepierová I, Pešout P, Prach K (eds) Ecological restoration in the Czech Republic II. Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic UNIPRESS spol. s r.o. p 49
Lokvenc T (1978) Toulky krkonošskou minulostí. Wandering through the Krkonoše past. Available via https://www.databazeknih.cz/knihy/toulky-krkonosskou-minulosti-265524. Accessed 2 July 2022
López-Lefebre LR, Rivero RM, Garcia PC, Sanches E, Ruiz JM, Romero L (2001) Effect of calcium on mineral nutrient uptake and growth of tobacco. J Sci Food Agric 81:1334–71338. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.948
Mehlich A (1984) Mehlich-3 soil test extractant—a modification of Mehlich-2 extractant. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 15:1409–1416
Minden V, Olde Ventering H (2019) Plant traits and species interactions along gradients of N, P and K availabilities. Funct Ecol 33:1611–1626. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.13387
Mishra A, Mehdi S-R, Ali Shariati M, Yahia M, Salim Al-S, Abdur R, Bahare S, Milan Ž, Majid S-R, Poonam G, Javad S-R, Hafiz S, Marcello I (2018) Bioactive compounds and health benefits of edible Rumex species—a review. Cell Mol Biol 64:27–34. https://doi.org/10.14715/cmb/2018.64.8.5
Müllerová J, Vítková M, Vítek O (2011) The impacts of road and walking trails upon adjacent vegetation: Effects of road building materials on species composition in a nutrient poor environment. Sci Total Environ 409:3839–3849.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.06.056
Müllerová V, Hejcman M, Hejcmanová P, Pavlů V (2014) Effect of fertilizer application on Urtica dioica and its element concentrations in a cut grassland. Acta Oecol 59:1–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actao.2014.05.004
Náglová S (2014) Invasion of Rumex alpinus L. in Krkonoše Mountains. Master’s Thesis, Charles University of Prague, Czech Republic
Nakhutsrishvili G, Batsatsashvili K, Rudmann-Maurer K, Korner C, Spehn E (2017) New indicator values for Central Caucasus flora. Nakhutsrishvili G et al. (eds.), Plant diversity in the central great Caucasus: a quantitative assessment, Geobotany Studies, Pp 145–159. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-55777-9_6
Němeček J, Kozák J (2005) Status of soil surveys, inventory, and soil monitoring in The Czech Republic. In: Jones RJA, Houšková B, Bullock P, Montanarella L (eds). Soil resources of Europe, 2nd edn. European Soil Bureau Research Report No.9, Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg, pp. 103–109
Olde Venterink H, Wassen MJ, Verkroost AWM, de Ruiter PC (2003) Species richness-productivity patterns differ between N-, P-and K-limited wetlands. Ecology 84:2191–2199. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1017922715903
Opačić N, Radman S, Uher SF, Benko B, Voća S, Žlabur JŠ (2022) Nettle cultivation practices from open field to modern hydroponics: a case study of specialized metabolites. Plant 11:483. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11040483
Ozturk S, Ozturk A (2007) Antibacterial activity of aqueous and methanol extracts of Rumex alpinus. and Rumex caucasicus. Pharm Biol 45:83–87
Pavlů L, Pavlů V, Gaisler J, Hejcman M, Mikulka J (2011) Effect of long-term cutting versus abandonment on the vegetation of a mountain hay meadow (Polygono-Trisetion) in Central Europe. Flora 206:1020–1029. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.flora.201107.008
Pavlů L, Pavlů V, Gaisler J, Hejcman M (2013) Relationship between soil and biomass chemical properties, herbage yield, and sward height in cut and un-managed mountain hay meadow (Polygono-Trisetion). Flora 208:599–608. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.flora.2013.09.003
Prášková L, Němec P (2016) Bazální monitoring zemědělských půd – pH a obsah živin 1995 – 2013. ÚKZÚZ Brno. [Basal monitoring of agricultural soils—pH and nutrient content 1995 – 2013]. http://eagri.cz/public/web/file/458807/BMP_ZIVINY_text_opr.pdf. Accessed 11 Jan 2020
Pyšek P, Danihelka J, Sádlo J, Chrtek J Jr, Chytrý M, Jarošík V, Kaplan Z, Krahulec F, Moravcová L, Pergl J, Štajerová K, Tichý L (2012) Catalogue of alien plants of the Czech Republic (2nd edition): checklist update, taxonomic diversity, and invasion patterns. – Preslia 84: 155–255
Rehder H (1982) Nitrogen relations of ruderal communities (Rumicion alpini) in the Northern Calcareous Alps. Oecologia 55:120–129
Semelová V, Hejcman M, Pavlů V, Vacek S, Podrázský V (2008) The grass garden in the giant mts. (Czech Republic): residual effect of long-term fertilization after 62 years. Agric Ecosyst Environ 123:337–342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2007.07.005
Šilc U, Gregori M (2016) Control of alpine dock (Rumex alpinus) by non-chemical methods. Acta Biol Slov, Ljubljana 59(1):23–32
Stachurska-Swakoń A (2009) Syntaxonomical revision of the communities with Rumex alpinus L. in the Carpathians. Phytocoenologia 39(2):217–234. https://doi.org/10.1127/0340-269X/2009/0039-0217
Šťastná P, Klimeš L, Klimešová J (2010) Biological flora of Central Europe: Rumex alpinus Dipl Thesis, Charles University of Prague L. Perspect Plant Ecol Syst 12:67–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ppees.2009.06.003
Thapa N, Barik SK, Upadhaya K (2020) Local edaphic factors influence leaf nutrient resorption efficiency of evergreen and deciduous trees: a case study from montane subtropical old-growth and regenerating forests of Meghalaya. Trop Ecol 61:21–31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42965-020-00063-z
Thompson K, Parkinson JA, Band SR, Spencer RE (1997) A comparative study of leaf nutrient concentrations in a regional herbaceous flora. New Phytol 136:679–689. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1469-8137.1997.00787.x
Tůma J, Skalický M, Tůmová L, Bláhová P, Rosůlková M (2004) Potassium, magnesium and calcium content in individual parts of Phaseolus vulgaris L. plant as related to potassium and magnesium nutrition. Plant Soil Environ 50(1):18–26. https://doi.org/10.17221/3637-PSE
USEPA Method 3052 (1996) Microwave assisted acid digestion of siliceous and organically based matrices. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-12/documents/3052.pdf. Accessed 7 Feb 2019
Vance CP, Uhde-Stone C, Allan DL (2003) Phosphorus acquisition and use: critical adaptations by plants for securing a nonrenewable resource. New Phytol 157:423–447. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1469-8137.2003.00695.x
van Heerwaarden LM, Toet S, Aerts R (2003) Current measures of nutrient resorption efficiency lead to a substantial underestimation of real resorption efficiency: facts and solutions. Oikos 101:664–669. https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0706.2003.12351.x
Vergutz L, Manzoni S, Porporato A, Ferreira Novais R, Jackson RB (2012) Global resorption efficiencies and concentrations of carbon and nutrients in leaves of terrestrial plants. Ecol Monogr 82:205–220. https://doi.org/10.1890/11-0416.1
Vondráčková S, Hejcman M, Száková J, Müllerová V, Tlustoš P (2014) Soil chemical properties affect the concentration of elements (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) and their distribution between organs of Rumex obtusifolius. Plant Soil 379:231–245. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-014-2058-0
White PJ, Broadley MR (2003) Calcium in plants. Ann Bot 92:487–511. https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcg164
Yan T, Jiaojun Z, Kai Y (2018) Leaf nitrogen and phosphorus resorption of woody species in response to climatic conditions and soil nutrients: a meta-analysis. J For Res 29:905–913. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-017-0519-z
Zaller JG (2004) Competitive ability of Rumex obtusifolius against native grassland species: above- and below-ground allocation of biomass and nutrients. J Plant Dis Protect 19:345–351
Zhang J, Wang Y, Cai C (2020) Multi elemental stoichiometry in plant organs: a case study with the Alpine herb Gentiana rigescens across Southwest China. Front Plant Sci 11:441. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.00441
Zhou H, Ma A, Zhou X, Chen X, Zhang J, Gen P, Liu G, Wang S, Zhuang G (2022) Soil phosphorus accumulation in mountainous alpine grassland contributes to positive climate change feedback via nitrifier and denitrifier community. Sci Total Environ 804:150032. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150032
Funding
This work received funding from the Internal Grant Agency (IGA) of the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague under grant agreement No 20184218. MOA received support from the Nutrisk project (European Regional Development Fund—Project No. CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/ 16_019/0000845).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Supplementary Information
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Jungová, M., Asare, M.O., Michal, H. et al. Distribution and Resorption Efficiency of Macroelements (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) in Organs of Rumex alpinus L. in the Alps and the Giant (Krkonoše) Mountains. J Soil Sci Plant Nutr 23, 469–484 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-022-01059-5
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-022-01059-5