Lafont et al. 2022 (Article) nutrients absorption

Effect of substrate fertility on tank-bromeliad performances

Author(s):—T. Lafont R., S. Coste, J. Goret, F. Julien, C. Stahl & C. Leroy

Publication:—Plant and Soil 480 (prepublished online). (2022) — DOI

Abstract:—Members of the plant family Bromeliaceae can uptake nutrients directly from their leaves via leaf absorbing trichomes and their roots have long been reduced to anchorage function, thus overlooked. Recently, evidence has accumulated for a significant role for the roots of some species of tank bromeliads in both water and nutrients absorption. However, to date, little attention has been paid to the importance of the substrate fertility for the structure of the roots and the growth and performances of tank bromeliads.

Keywords:—Leaf traits, Plant performance, Root traits, Root uptake, Substrate fertility, Tank bromeliad