短命植物叶片生源要素的化学计量特征及异速关系

短命植物经长期进化形成了独特的生态化学计量特征,该研究以古尔班通古特沙漠南缘主要短命植物为研究对象,通过对研究区的66个样方、109个植物样品、42个物种的叶片生源要素的化学计量特征进行分析,以明确研究区的主要短命植物在个体尺度、种群尺度、群落尺度上的化学计量特征及异速关系,揭示制约古尔班通古特沙漠南缘短命植物生长的主要限制元素。结果显示:(1)在3个尺度上,短命植物叶片K含量均高于全国平均水平,而N、P含量均低于全国平均水平,且N∶P均值都小于14;Ca含量在个体尺度和种群尺度上低于全国平均水平,而群落尺度上高于全国平均水平。(2)个体尺度上,各生源要素间的相关性以Ca-Mg最高、K-Mg其次、Ca-S最低;各元素增长斜率显著偏离1,各元素间呈异速增长关系,增长速率为MgCaKPFeNS。(3)种群尺度上,Ca-Mg的增长指数为0.82(接近1),说明两元素间大致呈等速增长,各元素间的增长速率为CaKPSNFe,其中Ca的增长速率最大,它在植物生物量大量积累时期,植物会获得更多的Ca为开花繁殖做准备。(4)群落尺度上,各元素间相关性的拟合优度都高于个体尺度,各生源要素间具有显著的异速增长关系,增长速率为KCaMgSPNFe,表明短命植物对不同元素的利用速率不同。研究发现,古尔班通古特沙漠南缘短命植物在受N、P限制的同时更易受N限制,群落尺度上具有较高一致性生物学特征和相同生态适应性的物种具有更高的拟合优度。     

金沙江干热河谷植物叶片元素含量在地表凋落物周转中的作用

叶片的化学计量学特征在植物响应环境变化,决定植物的生后效应中具有重要的偶联作用。为了阐明植物叶片生源要素含量对凋落物周转的影响,分析了金沙江干热河谷萨瓦纳草地生态系统植物叶片的化学计量学特征与凋落物周转时间的关系。结果显示:凋落物周转受到多重生源要素及其交互作用的影响,其中K与凋落物周转时间存在显著的正相关关系,而S、Mn、Mg元素具有负关系,表明K可能抑制凋落物的分解,而S、Mn、Mg元素可能会促进凋落物分解。在物种水平上K、S、Mn分别与凋落物周转时间存在显著的相关性, K、S组合解释了16.93%的凋落物周转时间变异;样方水平上,K、S、Mn、Mg分别与凋落物周转时间具有显著相关性,虽然N对凋落物的周转时间影响不显著,但当N与K及其交互作用对凋落物周转时间解释了37.42%的变异。其它元素组合也可在不同程度上解释了凋落物周转时间的变异。多元要素的互作效应表明元素间可能存在拮抗和协同效应,凋落物分解过程中可能受到多重分解者的共同作用,而不同分解者会受到不同的元素限制。未来的研究应当注重N、P以外的元素在生物地球化学循环中的作用。     

中国660种陆生植物叶片8种元素含量特征

对全国范围内120个样点660种陆生植物共1781个植物样本的叶片S、K、Na、Fe、Ca、SiO2、Al、Mn含量特征进行了研究。各元素的平均含量大小顺序为KCaSiO2NaSAlFeMn,总体上属于KCa型。与世界陆生植物平均元素含量相比较,我国植物叶片Na的含量偏高。除Ca在草本植物中的含量低于木本植物外,为满足快速生长的需要,S、K、Na、Fe、Ca、SiO2的含量草本植物木本植物、落叶植物常绿植物、阔叶植物针叶植物,而Mn的含量在这些功能组却刚好相反,Al的含量变化不大。S、K、SiO2在针叶林中的含量最低,S、Na、Fe在荒漠植物中的含量最高。Ca与SiO2、Al,以及Mn与除Al之外的其他6种元素之间均呈极显著负相关(P0.01),除此之外,植物元素含量间的相关关系都为极显著正相关(P0.01)。植物叶片元素含量与植物所处的地理位置的相关分析表明,S、K、Na、Fe、Ca、SiO2含量随纬度的增加而增加,Al、Mn随纬度的增加而减少;S、K、Na、Fe、SiO2、Al随经度的增加而减少,Mn随经度的增加而增加,而Ca与经度间相关性不显著。     

中国南方生长于不同基质的天然林植物叶片元素含量特征比较

对比中国南方两个热带喀斯特森林、一个热带红树林和来自文献的一个亚热带常绿阔叶林植物叶片元素含量和计量特点。结果表明,受碳酸盐岩的影响,西双版纳和弄岗喀斯特森林植物叶片普遍富含Ca、Mg元素,因岩性差异,含有一定白云岩的弄岗地区的植物富集更多的Mg。西双版纳喀斯特森林存在K、Fe、Na、Zn元素的缺乏状况;由于白云岩矿物成分的特殊性和缓慢的风化速度,弄岗喀斯特植物有更高的叶片K、Zn、S含量。红树林植物富集P、Ca、Mg、Na、S元素,海水环境中大量的离子进入土壤被植物吸收利用,提高了红树的养分含量,并且在高盐环境下Na在叶片中大量富集。但是,红树植物表现缺乏Fe、Si、Zn。亚热带常绿阔叶林植物受酸性土影响大,Mn元素大量富集,P与Na的含量缺乏,并且相比其他生境,常绿阔叶林的N、P、Ca、Mg含量较低。西双版纳和弄岗的喀斯特森林植物叶片N/P比分别为14.27和18.26,说明前者受到N、P的共同限制,后者主要为P限制;红树植物N/P比为13.12,受N限制;常绿阔叶林植物本身严重缺P,N/P比为26.27,表现出明显的P限制。所研究的不同基质上的植物,叶片N与P元素之间均呈显著正相关,这种稳定的协同关系是植物适应环境的普遍规律。Ca与Mg两个二价阳离子元素在喀斯特森林和常绿阔叶林中为协同关系,而在红树林中则不存在相关性,分析表明Na盐胁迫下增加了Mg的吸收,改变了Ca、Mg的平衡关系。N与K元素在红树林和常绿阔叶林中为协同关系,而由于喀斯特环境中Ca、Mg协同影响了K的吸收,改变了N、K的协同关系。P与Zn在喀斯特森林和红树林中都表现出协同关系,这与两种元素在植物代谢过程中都参与了酶的合成有关。红树植物表现K和Mn的拮抗关系,而在喀斯特森林和常绿阔叶林中均未有相关性。S与P元素在弄岗喀斯特森林中表现出正相关,这种协同性可以帮助喀斯特植物缓解缺P的症状,而在高P的红树植物中没有相关性。研究结果对于森林生态系统的生物地球化学循环模拟和生态系统管理有重要参考意义。     

水位变化对三峡库区消落带狗牙根种群营养特征的影响

为探讨三峡库区大尺度、反季节水位变化对消落带狗牙根种养元素吸收和分配特征的影响, 分别测定了三个样带的营养元素含量。结果表明: 根、茎、叶中大量元素含量顺序为N>K>P, 中量元素含量顺序为Ca>S>Mg, 微量元素为Fe>Zn>Cu>Mn。根系对K、Mg、S、Fe、Mn、Zn 的吸收均被促进, 而对P 和Ca 的吸收被显著抑制, 低水位根系对N、Cu 的吸收也被显著促进。高水位茎和叶中N、P、K、Mg、S、Cu 的含量呈降低趋势, Ca、Fe、Mn 含量呈显著增大趋势, 且茎中Zn 含量也呈增加趋势。随着水位的降低N、P、K、Mg、S、Zn 含量显著增加, 在叶片中的含量显著大于根、茎, 而Fe、Mn、Cu 表现出主要向茎分布的趋势, 且Ca 在叶中的分配显著被抑制, 而在茎中的分配被促进。随着水位降低新叶中N、P、K、Mg、S 的含量明显高于老叶, 而Fe、Ca、Mn、Zn 和Cu 则相反。随着分枝级数增大N、P、K 的含量呈递增趋势, Ca、Cu、Fe、Zn 呈递减趋势, 而Mg、S 含量呈“∨”形变化。因此, 库区水位已导致消落狗牙根种群营养特征发生显著的变化。     

氮磷施肥对拟南芥叶片碳氮磷化学计量特征的影响

研究植物碳(C)氮(N)磷(P)化学计量特征, 有助于了解C、N、P元素的分配规律和确定限制植物生长的元素类型, 理解生长速率调控的内在机制。该研究基于盆栽施肥试验, 测定不同N、P供应水平下拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)叶片的生物量和C、N、P含量, 分析拟南芥的限制元素类型、验证生长速率假说、探讨N、P的内稳性差异和C、N、P元素间的异速生长关系。主要结果如下: 盆栽试验基质中限制元素是P, 施N过多可能引起毒害作用; 拟南芥的生长符合生长速率假说, 即随着叶片N:P和C:P的增加, 比生长速率显著减小; 叶片P含量存在显著的调整系数(3.5), 但叶片N含量与基质N含量之间无显著相关; 叶片N和P含量具有显著的异速生长关系, 但不符合N-P^3/4关系, 施P肥导致表征N、P异速生长关系的幂指数(0.209)显著低于施N肥处理(0.466)。该研究首次基于温室培养实验分析了拟南芥C、N、P的化学计量特征及其对N、P添加的响应, 研究结果将为野外研究不同物种、群落或生态系统的化学计量特征提供参考。     

福州酸雨区次生林中台湾相思与银合欢叶片的12种元素含量

在酸雨区,研究叶片元素浓度变化规律对于理解树种选择与重建亚热带森林具有重要意义。在中亚热带丘陵次生林的酸雨区内,测定两个优势树种——台湾相思树(Acacia confusa)、银合欢(Leucaena glauca)的叶片元素(N、P、S、K、Ca、Na、Mg、Fe、Mn、Cu、Zn和Al)含量,并探讨其可能遭受酸雨的影响。结果表明,两树种叶片营养元素含量均表现为N > K > Ca > S > P > Mg > Na,重金属元素表现为Fe > Al > Cu。两树种叶片的P、Ca、Mg、Na、Mn和Cu含量差异极显著,Zn含量差异显著。受频繁酸雨影响,台湾相思(3.42 g/kg)和银合欢(2.70 g/kg)的S含量明显高于中国陆生被子植物叶片的平均值((1.66±3.06) g/kg),Na含量低于S含量,也明显低于中国陆生被子植物叶片Na含量的平均值((2.48±5.45)g/kg),表明研究区域植物叶片的Na元素的特异性,酸雨加速土壤酸化导致土壤Na含量低可能是一个原因。由N/P、Ca/Al摩尔比值的大小可得出,台湾相思为P制约型树种,虽然其Al含量并未超出正常范围值,但其Ca/Al摩尔比值小于12.5,表明存在Al的危害风险;而银合欢属N制约型树种,并未受到Al的危害,更适应研究区生长环境。若仅从叶片元素含量分析,该区域的台湾相思和银合欢受到Fe危害风险,且存在更大的Cu和Zn危害风险,银合欢的Zn、Cu元素累积量大于台湾相思,所以可以认为银合欢的抗性强于台湾相思,可能更适应于酸雨区域生长。     

无牧草原生态系统营养元素的生物地球化学特征

以内蒙古锡林河流域的两种优势草原群落羊草草原和大针茅草原为研究对象,探讨了中纬度地区未放牧情况下的草原生态系统植物营养元素的生物地球化学特征．结果表明,两类草原群落土壤-植物系统中土壤分室N、P、K、S、Ca、Mg、Si的贮量远大于植物亚系统的贮量,地上活体和枯草分室的各元素贮量小于根分室．在两类草原群落中,N、P、K、S从枯草分室中消失的速率要大于Ca、Mg和Si．羊草草原的枯草分室元素流失量大于大针茅草原．研究区草原生态系统中,羊革草原物质的生物地球化学循环近于平衡状态,大针茅草原处于失衡状态．物质循环量羊草草原远大于大针茅草原．     

新疆南准噶尔荒漠优势植物的化学成分含量特点

南准噶尔荒漠 62种植物 8种元素的含量测定结果显示 ,含量算术平均值的大小顺序为 Na>K>Ca>S>P>Al>Fe>Mn,与阿拉善荒漠植物元素含量的顺序一致。其中 ,Mn、Fe、Al、Na、S的含量变异系数比 P、K和 Ca的大。植物元素含量之间相关分析结果表明 ,Fe与 Al、S与 P、Na与 S呈极显著正相关 ,表明荒漠植物对它们的吸收是协同的 ,而 Fe与 K显著负相关 ,表明植物对它们的吸收具有拮抗作用。聚类分析和排序结果说明不同生态功能群植物都有自身的元素含量特点 ,盐生植物 Na、S含量高 ,沙生植物为高 K低 Na含量功能群植物     

海南岛86种植物的化学成分特点及元素间的关系研究

收集了海南岛49个植物采样点约300个样品,用光谱法和化学法测定了植物中大量元素(N、P、K、Ca、Mg)和微量元素(Zn、Cu、Mo、Pb、Cr、Ni、Cd、Fe、As、Hg)的含量。在应用数理统计处理数据的基础上,对海南岛86种植物的化学成分特点及各元素间的相关关系进行了分析和讨论,初步建立海南岛植物元素间的相关方程式,从而可了解元素间含量变化的特征。     

氮素营养对苗期菘蓝叶中硝酸还原酶活性与矿质元素吸收的影响

采用正交试验设计,研究铵态氮、硝态氮和酰胺态氮3种氮素形态及其不同浓度配比对苗期菘蓝的单株干重、叶内的硝酸还原酶活性及矿质元素吸收的影响。结果显示:(1)影响苗期菘蓝单株干重的氮素形态依次为酰胺态氮>铵态氮>硝态氮。(2)不同氮素形态对叶片硝酸还原酶活性影响有差异,铵态氮影响最大,其次是硝态氮和酰胺态氮。(3)不同形态氮素配合施用后均能促进P、K、Ca、Mg、Cd、Mn、Cr、Sr 8种元素的吸收,但不利于Ni和Fe的吸收;元素吸收受铵态氮影响最大的矿质元素有K、Ba、Se、Ni、B、Si、Fe 7种元素,受硝态氮影响最大的元素有P、Cd、Ti、Al、Cu 5种元素,受酰胺态氮影响最大的元素有Na、Ca、Mg、Zn、Mo、Mn、Cr、Sr 8种元素。研究表明,不同形态氮素对苗期菘蓝吸收矿质元素的影响存在很大的差异,应注重酰胺态氮与无机的铵态氮、硝态氮的配合施用;适宜氮素形态及其配比能提高叶中硝酸还原酶的活性并促进矿质元素的吸收,从而有效地促进菘蓝的生长。     

The Content Levels of Chemical Elements of Plants in the Castanozems Typical Steppe Zone of Nei Monggol

The contents of N, P, K, Ca, S, Fe, Al, Si, Na, of 122 plant species in the XiLin River valley in Nei Monggol were studied. These results have shown as follows: 1. The contents of N, P. K, Ca, S, Fe, Al, Si, Na of 122 plants belong to three levels: N, K, Ca are 101-100(%) P, S, Si, Na are 100-10-1(%); Fe, A1 are 10-1-10-2(%). 2. The contents of chemical elements of 122 plants were divided into three levels (high, middle and low content). The range of the content and the number of plants in each level were obtained.     

Contribution of mineral nutrients from source to sink organs in rice under different nitrogen fertilization

The pot experiment with three treatments of nitrogen (N) topdressing was performed with the japonica rice cultivar viz. Huaidao 5. Remobilization of nine mineral nutrients including N, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu) was measured from the source organs including bracts, leaf, and sheath to sink rice grain. Experimental results showed considerable contribution of bracts to grain for N, Mg, and Zn, with the averages contributions of 5.96, 12.56, and 12.34%, respectively, indicating a positive role of rice bracts in N, Mg, and Zn remobilization during grain filling. By contrast, minor contribution of bracts to grain P, K, and Cu was revealed, with the contribution rate being 0.99, 3.90, and 3.05%, respectively. Further, a net increase in Ca and Fe concentrations of bracts was detected, implying that bracts function as a sink of these mineral nutrients. In addition, grains produced at a moderate level of N topdressing had higher Fe and similar Zn concentration in comparison with those at high N level, suggesting the possibility of N management for maintaining Fe and Zn level under high yielding conditions.     

干热河谷植物化学计量特征与生物量之间的关系

了解植物化学计量学特征对生物量变化的响应机制对预测全球变化下植物生产力以及生态系统功能具有重要意义。为了了解干热河谷地区植物化学计量学塑性变化与植物生物量变化的关系, 该研究以当地的典型燥红土为基质, 观察水分、养分以及二者的交互作用对6种植物的生长的促进作用, 并分析这种作用与植物化学计量学特征变化的关系。研究结果显示: 水分、养分、物种及其二元交互作用对植物生长具有显著的作用。养分添加处理增加了32.55%的生物量, 高频次水分处理增加了31.35%的生物量, 水分与养分复合处理下生物量增加了110.60%。植物化学计量学特征的变化与植物生物量对处理的响应具有显著相关性。其中, 植物总体K:Ca、K:Mg、K:Mn、K:Zn、Mg:Mn的变化与植物生物量的变化呈正相关关系, 表明水分和养分处理对植物生长的促进作用影响了植物养分的平衡, 主要的变化趋势是高含量元素与低含量元素的计量比随着生物量的增加而不断增加。此外, 相对于植物生物量变化, 处理类型和物种因素对多数化学计量学特征变化无显著影响, 表明水分和养分处理对化学计量学的影响具有相同的驱动机制, 即通过生物量变化最终影响化学计量学变化。植物生物量对水分和养分的响应可对植物化学计量学特征以及生态系统功能产生深远的影响。     

Relationships between plant stoichiometry and biomass in an arid-hot valley,Southwest China

Aims The micro-elemental stoichiometry as well as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) plays an important role in ecosystem process. However, the drivers of the variations in these stoichiometric ratios in plants are less explored in compared with N and P. Plant productivity and plant stoichiometry can response simultaneously to environmental changes, such as water and nutrient supply levels. However, the relationships between the changes in plant stoichiometry and biomass were unclear yet although both of them play important roles in ecosystem functioning. Our object was to investigate the changes in plant stoichiometry (including multiple macro- and micro-elements) and in biomass under different nutrient and water supply. Methods We collected seeds from six grass species in an arid-hot valley and performed a nutrient-water addition experiment in 2012 with a complete factorial design (nutrient × water). The concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn and Mn in different organs and plant biomass were measured. The effects of species, water and nutrient on element concentration and plant biomass were analyzed by three-way ANOVA. Linear regressions were used to test the relationships between changes in plant stoichiometry and changes in biomass after nutrient and water addition. Important findings Nutrient addition increased plant biomass by 32.55% compared with control. High-level water supply increased plant biomass by 31.35% and the combination of nutrient and high-level water addition increased plant biomass by 110.60%. Nutrient, water, species identity and their two-way interactions significantly affected plant biomass. Changes in total plant K:Ca, K:Mg, K:Mn, K:Zn and Mg:Mn were significantly and positively related to changes in plant biomass. The ratio between the concentrations of macro-elements and micro-elements tended to increase with biomass. Species identity and treatment had no effects in most of these relationships, suggesting that the changes in stoichiometry were mostly driven by the variations in biomass. The relationships between changes in stoichiometry and in biomass also occurred in leaves, stems and roots. The covariation between plant stoichiometry and biomass can have profound effects on ecosystem functioning under the global environmental changes.     

生态系统恢复后干热河谷植物叶片N、P、K含量及物种优势度的变化

以金沙江干热河谷生态系统为对象,通过对比恢复区与对照区(干扰区)的植物叶片N、P、K含量、比值及其与优势度的关系,研究了生态系统恢复对植物叶片化学计量特征的影响.结果表明：生态系统恢复显著降低了植物叶片的N、P含量以及P/K,对K含量无显著影响.其中,恢复区内植物叶片N、P、K含量均值分别为10.405、0.604和9.619 g·kg^-1,比对照区分别下降了16.9%、34.9%和4.7%.恢复区中植物优势度与叶片P含量间呈极显著负相关,而对照区植物优势度与叶片K含量的负相关关系最显著.生态系统恢复改变了N、P、K之间标度关系的斜率和截距.而恢复区与对照区同一物种间叶片N、P含量差别不显著.研究区植物叶片化学计量特征的改变主要是由群落物种替代引起的.     

Concentrations and resorption patterns of 13 nutrients in different plant functional types in the karst region of south-western China

Background and Aims

Elucidating the stoichiometry and resorption patterns of multiple nutrients is an essential requirement for a holistic understanding of plant nutrition and biogeochemical cycling. However, most studies have focused on nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), and largely ignored other nutrients. The current study aimed to determine relationships between resorption patterns and leaf nutrient status for 13 nutrient elements in a karst vegetation region.

Methods

Plant and soil samples were collected from four vegetation types in the karst region of south-western China and divided into eight plant functional types. Samples of newly expanded and recently senesced leaves were analysed to determine concentrations of boron (B), calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), N, sodium (Na), P, sulphur (S) and zinc (Zn).

Key Results

Nutrient concentrations of the karst plants were lower than those normally found in other regions of China and the rest of the world, and plant growth was mainly limited by P. Overall, four nutrients revealed resorption [N (resorption efficiency 34·6 %), P (48·4 %), K (63·2 %) and Mg (13·2 %)], seven nutrients [B (–16·1 %), Ca (–44·0 %), Cu (–14·5 %), Fe (–205·5 %), Mn (–72·5 %), Mo (–35·6 %) and Zn (–184·3 %)] showed accumulation in senesced leaves and two nutrients (Na and S) showed no resorption or accumulation. Resorption efficiencies of K and Mg and accumulation of B, Ca, Fe and Mn differed among plant functional types, and this strongly affected litter quality. Resorption efficiencies of N, P and K and accumulation of Ca and Zn increased with decreasing concentrations of these nutrients in green leaves. The N:P, N:K and N:Mg ratios in green leaves predicted resorption proficiency for N, K and Mg, respectively.

Conclusions

The results emphasize the fact that nutrient resorption patterns strongly depend on element and plant functional type, which provides new insights into plant nutrient use strategies and nutrient cycling in karst ecosystems.     

NUTRIENT CONTENT OF FOREST SHRUBS FOLLOWING BURNING

Prescribed burning under mature Larch/Douglas-fir forests produced changes in elemental uptake. Elemental analyses of individual species and existing biomass three years post-burn from hot, medium, and lightly burned sites and unburned controls showed a significant shift in species composition with burn intensity. Few species from hotly burned sites had elevated levels of ions, except phosphorus and iron, but the aboveground shrub and herb biomass did have greater total cations, percent ash, and individual cations (except Ca and Mg) on hotly burned sites. Although the hotly burned sites had the greatest total biomass, only iron, manganese, total nitrogen, sodium, and phosphorus were significantly higher (5% level) in biomass from hot burns compared to control biomass (g/m² basis). Hot burns alter the soil pH to the alkaline range making some elements like iron less soluble and available. Some species growing on hotly burned sites appeared able to alter nutrient uptake making more iron, phosphorus, and other elements available for growth, even with low available levels, compared to control sites. Three-year-old western larch (Larix occidentalis Nutt.) seedlings were able to accumulate high levels of Fe, K, and P relative to controls. Marchantia polymorpha L. concentrated some ions on hotly burned soils, but it was not possible to locate this plant on unburned areas for comparison.     

The Rengen Grassland Experiment: relationship between soil and biomass chemical properties, amount of elements applied, and their uptake

The Rengen Grassland Experiment (RGE) was established in the Eifel Mountains (Germany) on a low productive Nardetum in 1941. Since then, the following fertilizer treatments have been applied with a late two-cut system: unfertilized control, Ca, CaN, CaNP, CaNPKCl and CaNPK₂SO₄. We aimed to understand how concentrations of macro (N, P, K, Ca and Mg), micro (Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) and trace (As, Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb) elements in the plant biomass were affected by long-term fertilizer application, soil chemical properties and biomass production. In 2008, biomass samples from the first cut (early July) and the second cut (mid-October) were collected and analyzed. The simultaneous application of N, P and K decreased nitrogen concentration in the aboveground biomass, but substantially increased biomass production. Late cutting management decreased forage quality in highly productive more than in low productive plant communities. The concentrations of P and K in the plant biomass were positively related to P and K application and, therefore, to plant available P and K concentrations in the soil. The concentrations of some micro (Fe, Mn and Zn) and trace (As, Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb) elements in the plant biomass were negatively correlated with the amount of elements supplied by fertilizers and biomass production, probably because of the dilution effect. Long-term fertilizer application resulted in the accumulation of macro (P, Ca and Mg), micro (Fe and Mn) and trace (As and Cr) elements in the soil, but in many cases this accumulation was not connected with an increase in the concentrations of these elements in the plant biomass. Nutritional status, as indicated by the biomass N:P ratio, was consistent with N or P limitation as indicated by the nitrogen and phosphorus nutrition indices. Furthermore, additional K (co-)limitation was indicated by the N:K and K:P ratios in the biomass from the NP treatment. The results from the RGE indicate that there is no simple positive relationship between the applied elements and their concentrations in the plant biomass.