Are microorganisms more effective than plants at competing for nitrogen?
Abstract
Plant scientists have long debated whether plants or microorganisms are the superior competitor for nitrogen in terrestrial ecosystems. Microorganisms have traditionally been viewed as the victors but recent evidence that plants can take up organic nitrogen compounds intact and can successfully acquire N from organic patches in soil raises the question anew. We argue that the key determinants of 'success' in nitrogen competition are spatial differences in nitrogen availability and in root and microbial distributions, together with temporal differences in microbial and root turnover. Consequently, it is not possible to discuss plant-microorganism competition without taking into account this spatiotemporal context.
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If N immobilization interferes with plant growth, the probability is high that microorganisms are more competitive for nutrients than plants if plant and microbial N uptake occur simultaneously in the same soil volume.
“Nonetheless, if N immobilization interferes with plant growth, the probability is high that microorganisms are more competitive for nutrients than plants if plant and microbial N uptake occur simultaneously in the same soil volume (Hodge et al., 2000).”
From Potential of Wheat Straw, Spruce Sawdust, and Lignin as High Organic Carbon Soil Amendments to Improve Agricultural Nitrogen Retention Capacity: An Incubation Study (2018) · cites this paper as Hodge et al., 2000
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- Authors
- Hodge, A., Robinson, D., & Fitter, A.
- Affiliations
- University of York (GB)
- University of Aberdeen (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Hodge, Angela
- Venue
- Trends in Plant Science
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2000-07
- Volume
- 5
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 304-308
- ISSN
- 1360-1385 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2004942186
- Cited by
- 789
- References
- 31
- Citations by year
- 2026: 23 · 2025: 42 · 2024: 36 · 2023: 42 · 2022: 60 · 2021: 55 · 2020: 38 · 2019: 60 · 2018: 46 · 2017: 42 · 2016: 45 · 2015: 39 · 2014: 34 · 2013: 32 · 2012: 23
- FWCI
- 6.32
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Trends in Plant Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Plant nutrient uptake and metabolism
- Keywords
- nitrogen competition, plant-microbe competition, organic nitrogen uptake, soil nitrogen, root distribution, microbial distribution, spatiotemporal variation, root turnover, microbial turnover
- MeSH terms
- Fungi, Nitrogen, Nitrogen Fixation, Plants
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