Plants of Different Monocot Families Differ in Nitrogen and Phosphorus Contents in Leaves

Abstract

The folia content of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) were studied in five monocot families: Amaryllidaceae, Cyperaceae, Iridaceae, Orchidacea, and Poaceae. The species of different monocot families were found to have different amount of N and P and their ratio in the leaves. The lowest N content was in Iridaceae and the highest was in Amaryllidaceae. The lowest P content was in Cyperaceae and Poaceae while the highest was in Amaryllidaceae and Iridaceae. A minimum N/P ratio was observed in Iridaceae; a maximum N/P ratio, was in Poaceae. Thus, certain specifics were detected in the content of N and P and their ratio in the monocot families.

Keywords: Amaryllidaceae, Cyperaceae, Iridaceae, Orchidacea, Poaceae; functional diversity; monocots; plant traits; types of soil nutrition.