Nutrient‐poor ecosystems globally exhibit high plant diversity. One mechanism enabling the co‐existence of species in such ecosystems is facilitation among plants with contrasting nutrient‐acquisition strategies. The ecophysiological processes underlying these interactions remain poorly understood. We hypothesized that root positioning plays a role between sympatric species in nutrient‐poor vegetation. We investigated how the growth traits of the focal mycorrhizal non‐cluster‐rooted Hibbertia racemosa change when grown in proximity of non‐mycorrhizal Banksia attenuata, which produces cluster roots that increase nutrient availability, compared with growth with conspecifics. Focal plants were placed in the centre of rhizoboxes, and biomass allocation, root system architecture, specific root length (SRL), and leaf nutrient concentration were assessed. When grown with B. attenuata, focal plants decreased root investment, increased root growth towards B. attenuata, and positioned their roots near B. attenuata cluster roots. SRL was greater, and the degree of localized root investment correlated positively with B. attenuata cluster‐root biomass. Total nutrient contents in the focal individuals were greater when grown with B. attenuata. Focal plants directed their root growth towards the putatively facilitating neighbour's cluster roots, modifying root traits and investment. Preferential root positioning and root morphological traits play important roles in positive plant–plant interactions.

中文翻译：

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Hibbertia Racemosa 的根定位和性状变化取决于其邻居的营养获取策略

全球营养不良的生态系统表现出高度的植物多样性。在这种生态系统中实现物种共存的一种机制是通过对比养分获取策略促进植物之间的共存。这些相互作用背后的生态生理过程仍然知之甚少。我们假设根定位在营养贫乏的植被中的同域物种之间起作用。我们研究了当在非菌根Banksia attenuata附近生长时，局灶性菌根非簇根Hibbertia Racemosa的生长性状如何变化，与同种的生长相比，它产生的簇根可增加养分的可用性。焦点植物被放置在根箱的中心，并评估生物量分配、根系结构、比根长度 (SRL) 和叶片养分浓度。当与B 一起成长时。attenuata，焦点植物减少根系投资，增加根系向B 的生长。attenuata，并将它们的根定位在B附近。衰减簇根。SRL 较大，本地化根投入程度与B呈正相关。衰减簇根生物量。当与B 一起生长时，焦点个体的总营养含量更高。衰减。焦点植物将它们的根生长导向假定促进邻居的簇根，改变根性状和投资。优先根定位和根形态特征在积极的植物 - 植物相互作用中起着重要作用。