Analyzing the Impact of Simulated Nitrogen Deposition on Stoichiometric Properties and Yield of Ma Bamboo (Dendrocalamus latiflorus Munro) Shoots, Leaves, and Soil Substrate

Abstract

The growth dynamics of Ma bamboo (Dendrocalamus latiflorus Munro) are intricately linked to nitrogen availability, a pivotal nutrient. Escalating global nitrogen deposition, primarily driven by anthropogenic factors, is reshaping nutrient fluxes and productivity within forest and bamboo ecosystems. Such alterations bear significant implications for the growth equilibrium and yields of rapid-growth species such as Ma bamboo, thereby influencing their sustainable management strategies. This investigation delves into the responses of Ma bamboo under varying nitrogen deposition scenarios (0 g·clump−1, 11.2 g·clump−1, 13.5 g·clump−1, and 22.5 g·clump−1), examining stoichiometric attributes in bamboo shoots, leaves, and soil across distinct growth phases. Our empirical findings reveal that in the early growth stage, nitrogen enrichment markedly augmented N and P concentrations in the foliage and shoots, alongside a corresponding enhancement in soil P content. This was paralleled by a substantial reduction in the C:N ratio in leaves and the C:P ratio in shoots and soil, indicating an amplified uptake of P and N in both plant and soil matrices. During the middle stage, all nitrogen treatments boosted nitrogen levels across various plant tissues, while concurrently, soil C content exhibited a notable decline with increased nitrogen supplementation. In the late stage, leaf and soil N content continued to ascend; however, alterations in C content in both soil and leaves were not pronounced. Contrastingly, N and P levels in shoots showed a gradual decrement. Yield assessments disclosed that during the early stage, the N3 treatment (22.5 g·clump−1) not only delayed shoot emergence by 14 days but also surged the yield by 115.87% in comparison to the control (CK). In the late stage, the N2 treatment (13.5 g·clump−1) extended emergence duration by 10 days, with the yield apex under N3 treatment (22.5 g·clump−1) evidencing a 116.67% yield augmentation over CK. In summation, this study elucidates the stoichiometric balancing and distribution strategies within the plant–soil system of Ma bamboo, investigating its adaptability and responsive feedback to diverse nitrogen deposition gradients. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of plant nutrient adaptation mechanisms in the context of nitrogen deposition, enriches the discourse on plant population stoichiometry, and offers valuable insights and scientific underpinnings for broader-scale community or ecosystem stoichiometry studies.