Soil Phosphorus Availability Modulates Host Selectivity of Pedicularis kansuensis Between Legumes and Grasses

TL;DR

This study shows how soil phosphorus levels influence the host preferences of a parasitic plant, affecting its impact on legumes and grasses differently.

Contribution

The study reveals that soil phosphorus availability modulates host selectivity in a root hemiparasitic plant across multiple host species.

Findings

Under low phosphorus conditions, Pedicularis kansuensis preferentially parasitizes legumes, reducing their biomass more significantly.

At high phosphorus levels, the plant shifts its parasitism towards grasses, potentially suppressing grass growth more strongly.

Soil phosphorus availability directly influences parasite-host dynamics and plant community structure.

Abstract

Host selectivity or preference plays a critical role in enabling parasitic plants to identify suitable hosts and influence plant community dynamics. Phosphorus (P) is known to affect the growth of root hemiparasitic plants and their interaction with single host species, but its role in shaping host selectivity across multiple hosts is unclear. In a pot experiment, we used a grass–legume co-culture design and evaluated whether the root hemiparasitic plant Pedicularis kansuensis exhibits selective parasitism on legumes (Medicago sativa) versus grasses (Elymus nutans) and assessed the impact of soil P availability on this preference. The results showed that P. kansuensis inhibited the growth of both host species, but the magnitude of suppression varied with P availability. Under low P conditions, P. kansuensis preferentially parasitized the tender M. sativa, causing a greater biomass reduction in the legume. In contrast, at high P levels, P. kansuensis decreased its foraging on legumes, shifting its parasitism towards the dominant E. nutans, which potentially led to stronger suppression of grass growth. Our findings demonstrate that soil P availability modulates host selectivity in P. kansuensis, emphasizing the influence of soil nutrient conditions on parasite–host dynamics. This research provides insights into managing the impacts of parasitic plants on plant community structure through nutrient interventions.

Figures