Differences in leaf phosphorus component allocation strategies and ecological adaptability between invasive and native plants under phosphorus limitation

doi:10.14088/j.cnki.issn0439-8114.2026.03.007

Abstract

Abstract: To reveal the differences in adaptation mechanisms between invasive plants and native plants in phosphorus-limited environments, common Fabaceae and Myrtaceae invasive plants（Acacia mangium, Eucalyptus grandis×urophylla） and native plants （Erythrophleum fordii, Syzygium rehderianum） in South China were selected. By establishing a background phosphorus treatment (phosphorus limitation) and a phosphorus addition treatment, their growth rate, leaf functional traits, and the content and allocation proportion of five phosphorus components (inorganic phosphate, small-molecular organic phosphorus, nucleic acid phosphorus, membrane lipid phosphorus, and residual phosphorus) were compared. Phenotypic plasticity was assessed using principal component analysis (PCA). The results showed that invasive plants had higher growth rates, photosynthetic nitrogen-use efficiency, and photosynthetic phosphorus-use efficiency under both the background phosphorus treatment and the phosphorus addition treatment. Invasive plants typically allocated phosphorus to inorganic phosphate and nucleic acid phosphorus components to increase growth rate and enhance photosynthetic nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiency. In contrast, native plants tended to allocate phosphorus to membrane lipid phosphorus, which might be related to maintaining stress response and membrane system stability. Eucalyptus grandis×urophylla exhibited a flexible phosphorus utilization strategy, enabling adaptation to different phosphorus environments, whereas Acacia mangium was specifically adapted to low-phosphorus environments, potentially exacerbating soil phosphorus depletion through efficient phosphorus acquisition and threatening local（Guangzhou City） biodiversity. Southern China was a global biodiversity hotspot that, despite its rich biological diversity, faced widespread soil phosphorus limitation. In ecological restoration and vegetation establishment efforts, priority was given to the introduction and application of native plant species to enhance ecosystem stability and strengthen biodiversity conservation.

Key words: phosphorus limitation, invasive plants, native plants, leaf phosphorus components, differences in allocation strategies, ecological adaptability

CLC Number:

Q948.1

FAN Ying-xu, WANG Fa-ming, YAN Ru, LI Ming-feng. Differences in leaf phosphorus component allocation strategies and ecological adaptability between invasive and native plants under phosphorus limitation[J]. HUBEI AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES, 2026, 65(3): 42-49.

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