TY - JOUR
T1 - A meta-analysis highlights globally widespread potassium limitation in terrestrial ecosystems
AU - Chen, Baozhang
AU - Fang, Jingchun
AU - Piao, Shilong
AU - Ciais, Philippe
AU - Black, Thomas Andrew
AU - Wang, Fei
AU - Niu, Shuli
AU - Zeng, Zhenzhong
AU - Luo, Yiqi
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors New Phytologist © 2023 New Phytologist Foundation.
PY - 2024/1
Y1 - 2024/1
N2 - Potassium (K+) is the most abundant inorganic cation in plant cells, playing a critical role in various plant functions. However, the impacts of K on natural terrestrial ecosystems have been less studied compared with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Here, we present a global meta-analysis aimed at quantifying the response of aboveground production to K addition. This analysis is based on 144 field K fertilization experiments. We also investigate the influences of climate, soil properties, ecosystem types, and fertilizer regimes on the responses of aboveground production. We find that: K addition significantly increases aboveground production by 12.3% (95% CI: 7.4–17.5%), suggesting a widespread occurrence of K limitation across terrestrial ecosystems; K limitation is more prominent in regions with humid climates, acidic soils, or weathered soils; the effect size of K addition varies among climate zones/regions, and is influenced by multiple factors; and previous N : K and K : P thresholds utilized to detect K limitation in wetlands cannot be applied to other biomes. Our findings emphasize the role of K in limiting terrestrial productivity, which should be integrated into future terrestrial ecosystems models.
AB - Potassium (K+) is the most abundant inorganic cation in plant cells, playing a critical role in various plant functions. However, the impacts of K on natural terrestrial ecosystems have been less studied compared with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Here, we present a global meta-analysis aimed at quantifying the response of aboveground production to K addition. This analysis is based on 144 field K fertilization experiments. We also investigate the influences of climate, soil properties, ecosystem types, and fertilizer regimes on the responses of aboveground production. We find that: K addition significantly increases aboveground production by 12.3% (95% CI: 7.4–17.5%), suggesting a widespread occurrence of K limitation across terrestrial ecosystems; K limitation is more prominent in regions with humid climates, acidic soils, or weathered soils; the effect size of K addition varies among climate zones/regions, and is influenced by multiple factors; and previous N : K and K : P thresholds utilized to detect K limitation in wetlands cannot be applied to other biomes. Our findings emphasize the role of K in limiting terrestrial productivity, which should be integrated into future terrestrial ecosystems models.
KW - aboveground production
KW - meta-analysis
KW - potassium fertilization
KW - potassium limitation
KW - terrestrial ecosystems
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85173479937&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85173479937&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/nph.19294
DO - 10.1111/nph.19294
M3 - Article
C2 - 37804058
AN - SCOPUS:85173479937
SN - 0028-646X
VL - 241
SP - 154
EP - 165
JO - New Phytologist
JF - New Phytologist
IS - 1
ER -