Tight coupling between leaf δ13C and N content along leaf ageing in the N2‐fixing legume tree black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.)

Abstract

AbstractN2‐fixing legumes can strongly affect ecosystem functions by supplying nitrogen (N) and improving the carbon‐fixing capacity of vegetation. Still, the question of how their leaf‐level N status and carbon metabolism are coordinated along leaf ageing remains unexplored. Leaf tissue carbon isotopic composition (δ13C) provides a useful indicator of time‐integrated intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEi). Here, we quantified the seasonal changes of leaf δ13C, N content on a mass and area basis (Nmass, Narea, respectively), Δ18O (leaf 18O enrichment above source water, a proxy of time‐integrated stomatal conductance) and morphological traits in an emblematic N2‐fixing legume tree, the black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), at a subtropical site in Southwest China. We also measured xylem, soil and rainwater isotopes (δ18O, δ2H) to characterize tree water uptake patterns. Xylem water isotopic data reveal that black locust primarily used shallow soil water in this humid habitat. Black locust exhibited a decreasing δ13C along leaf ageing, which was largely driven by decreasing leaf Nmass, despite roughly constant Narea. In contrast, the decreasing δ13C along leaf ageing was largely uncoupled from parallel increases in Δ18O and leaf thickness. Leaf N content is used as a proxy of leaf photosynthetic capacity; thus, it plays a key role in determining the seasonality in δ13C, whereas the roles of stomatal conductance and leaf morphology are minor. Black locust leaves can effectively adjust to changing environmental conditions along leaf ageing through LMA increases and moderate stomatal conductance reduction while maintaining constant Narea to optimize photosynthesis and carbon assimilation, despite declining leaf Nmass and δ13C.