Seedling Growth and Biomass Response to Soil Phosphorus Treatments

Experimental data from a NERC Discovery Science project measures height, total biomass, component biomass, and mycorrhizal colonization for seedlings of 15 tropical and subtropical tree species. The dataset records responses to soil amendments with inorganic phosphate, adenosine monophosphate, phytic acid, or a mixture, plus an unfertilized control. It was produced by Professor David Burslem's team to test hypotheses on niche separation via root-fungal symbioses and soil phosphorus partitioning.

Use Cases

• Model seedling height and total biomass as functions of applied phosphorus source type.
• Analyze percentage root colonisation by mycorrhizas across different tree species and soil treatments.
• Compare biomass allocation to component plant parts (e.g., roots, stems) under varied phosphorus conditions.
• Test for differential growth responses between the eight tropical and seven subtropical species cohorts.

Strengths

• Includes data for 15 distinct tree species (8 tropical, 7 subtropical).
• Covers five distinct soil treatment conditions: four phosphorus sources plus an unfertilized control.
• Measures multiple growth metrics per seedling, including biomass components and mycorrhizal colonization.

Limitations

• Sample size (number of rows/seedlings) is unknown, limiting assessment of statistical power.
• Data is from a controlled pot experiment, which may not fully represent natural forest soil dynamics.
• Column names and precise data structure are unspecified, requiring inspection upon download.

Provenance

Source

Environmental Information Data Centre

Collection Method

Controlled pot experiment with soil amendments, measuring plant growth metrics.

Time Range

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Freshness

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Geography

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