Online Resource 1: Results (F-values, significance and degree of freedom (df)) of a linear mixed model
procedure testing the effects of the application of urea (N) and rock phosphate (P), and the combination
(NP) on soil, microbial, and grass (Setaria sphacelata) properties (soil depth 0-5 cm, May 2012) including
block (1-6) as random effect. Comparisons according to fertilizer treatments (X=control, N=urea, P=rock
phosphate, NP=combination of both; mean, SD, n=6, post-hoc adjusted p-values < 0.05). Significant
differences are indicated by lowercase letters (a>b>c), ns=not significant.
F-value
N
P
NP
df= 1,15 df= 1,15 df= 1,15
SOC [µmol C g-1]
0.2
1.9
0.6
Control
X
6478ns (491)
ns
Urea
N
7180ns (686)
7493ns (717)
6966ns (666)
Nt [µmol N g ]
0.3
0.7
0.2
451 (31.7)
486 (41.2)
488 (41.4)
468ns (39.7)
Pt [µmol P g-1]
0.7
0.2
4.1
34.4ns (2.5)
35.4ns (2.2)
37.4ns (2.3)
38.9ns (2.4)
DOC [µmol C g-1]
7.3*
2.0
0.1
4.9ab (0.34)
5.7a (0.35)
5.3ab (0.32)
4.9b (0.30)
TDN [µmol N g-1]
19.1***
0.8
0.0
0.86c (0.12)
1.33a (16)
0.94b (0.11)
0.86c (0.10)
Extractable NH4-N [µmol N g-1]
22.3***
0.8
0.5
0.20b (0.05)
0.47a (0.12)
0.22b (0.06)
0.17b (0.04)
DON [µmol N g-1]
1.5
0.5
1.1
0.61ns (0.049)
0.69ns (0.049)
0.66ns (0.047)
0.66ns (0.047)
Bray-Pi [µmol P g-1]
0.3
1.2
0.3
0.088ns (0.014) 0.103ns (0.017) 0.106ns (0.018) 0.096ns (0.016)
Bray-Porg [µmol P g-1]
2.0
0.2
6.2*
0.47ns (0.13)
0.87ns (0.24)
0.70ns (0.19)
0.87ns (0.24)
pHH2O
1.2
1.9
0.3
4.90ns (0.08)
4.90ns (0.11)
5.10ns (0.11)
5.00ns (0.11)
MBC [µmol C g ]
3.3
0.0
1.6
182 (12)
217 (19)
192 (17)
202ns (17)
MBN [µmol N g-1]
2.2
0.9
4.2
26.2ns (1.8)
32.0ns (2.7)
30.4ns (2.6)
30.9ns (2.6)
MBP [µmol P g-1]
2.2
0.1
0.7
8.5ns (1.0)
10.3ns (1.3)
9.2ns (1.1)
9.4ns (1.1)
Setaria shoot-C [µmol C g-1 DM ]
0.2
0.0
0.2
36780ns (523)
36663ns (663)
36927ns (668)
37048ns (670)
Setaria shoot-N [µmol N g-1 DM]
1.0
0.4
3.2
1171ns (62)
1177ns (72)
1146ns (70)
1053ns (64)
Setaria shoot-P [µmol P g-1 DM]
50.4***
28.3***
1.8
55b (2.5)
46c (2.4)
72a (3.8)
59b (3.1)
Setaria root-C [µmol C g-1 DM]
3.0
22.3***
0.8
Setaria root-N [µmol N g-1 DM]
12.6**
13.4**
0.5
37607ab
(1130)
436b (19)
34335bc
(1377)
561a (34)
32602c
(1307)
536a (32)
38981a
(1563)
454b (27)
Setaria root-P [µmol P g-1 DM]
1.6
31.8***
0.2
16.4c (1)
21.1ab (1.9)
25.6a (2.3)
17.1bc (1.6)
-1
ns
ns
Combination
NP
-1
ns
ns
Rock
phosphate
P
ns
*, **, *** show statistical significance at the 0.05, 0.01, 0.001 level, respectively.
SOC = Soil organic carbon (dry combustion, CNS-analyser); Nt = Total soil nitrogen (dry combustion, CNS-analyser); Pt = Total soil
phosphorus (acid digestion, ICP-OES); DOC = Dissolved organic carbon (0.1 M KCl 1:4 mass:volume ratio); TDN = Total dissolved
nitrogen (0.1 M KCl 1:4 mass:volume ratio); Extractable NH4-N = NH4-N (0.1 M KCl 1:4 mass:volume ratio); Bray-Pi = Inorganic P
(Bray-method: 0.03 M NH4F + 0.025 M HCl); Bray-Porg = Organic P (Bray-method); pHH2O (measured potentiometrically in deionized
water); MBC = Microbial biomass carbon (chloroform-fumigation method); MBN = Microbial biomass nitrogen (chloroform-fumigation
method); MBP = Microbial biomass phosphorus (chloroform-fumigation method); Setaria-shoot/root biomass C, N and P (Setaria
sphacelata; dry combustion, CNS-analyser; P: acid digestion, ICP-OES).
Title: Above- and -belowground linkages of a nitrogen and phosphorus co-limited tropical
mountain pasture system –responses to nutrient enrichment
Authors: A. Tischer* , M. Werisch, F. Döbbelin, T. Camenzind, M.C. Rillig, K. Potthast, and U.
Hamer; Plant and Soil
* Institute of Soil Science and Site Ecology, Dresden University of Technology, Pienner Straße 19,
01737 Tharandt, Germany
alexander.tischer@tu-dresden.de
Online Resource 2: Results (F-values, significance and degree of freedom (df)) of a linear mixed model
procedure testing the effects of the application of urea (N) and rock phosphate (P), and the combination
(NP) on soil stoichiometry including block (1-6) as random effect. Sampling was performed 14 days after
the last fertilization event. Comparison of soil stoichiometry according to fertilizer treatments (X=control,
N=urea, P=rock phosphate, NP=combination of both; mean, SD, n=6, post-hoc adjusted p-values<0.05).
Significant differences are indicated by lowercase letters (a>b>c), ns=not significant.
F-value
N
P
NP
df= 1,15 df= 1,15 df= 1,15
Bulk soil
Extractable
fraction
Control
X
Urea
N
Rock
Combination
phosphate
NP
P
14.4ns (0.3) 14.8ns (0.4) 15.4ns (0.4)
14.9ns (0.4)
C:N
0.1
4.7*
1.8
C:P
2.2
3.0
0.7
N:P
4.8*
1.1
4.0
13.1ab (0.4) 13.7a (0.6) 13.1ab (0.6)
12.0b (0.5)
Nt : Pt
0.7
0.0
5.5*
1.5ns (0.3) 1.4ns (0.4) 1.2ns (0.3)
0.9ns (0.2)
Norg : Porg
1.5
0.1
6.2*
1.3ns (0.3) 0.8ns (0.2) 0.9ns (0.2)
0.8ns (0.2)
188ns (8)
203ns (12) 200ns (12)
179ns (11)
*, **, *** show statistical significance at the 0.05, 0.01, 0.001 level, respectively.
Bulk soil C:N
Soil carbon-to-total soil nitrogen ratio (dry combustion, CNS-analyser), molar:molar.
Bulk soil C:P
Soil carbon-to-total soil phosphorus ratio (P: acid digestion, ICP-OES), molar:molar.
Bulk soil N:P
Total soil nitrogen-to-total soil phosphorus ratio, molar:molar.
Extractable fraction Nt:Pt
Dissolved organic nitrogen-to-total dissolved phosphorus ratio, molar:molar.
Extractable fraction Norg:Porg Dissolved organic nitrogen-to-dissolved organic phosphorus ratio, molar:molar.
(N 0.1 M KCl, 1:4 mass:volume ratio)
(P: 0.03 M NH4F + 0.025 M HCl, 1:10 mass:volume ratio)
Title: Above- and -belowground linkages of a nitrogen and phosphorus co-limited tropical
mountain pasture system –responses to nutrient enrichment
Authors: A. Tischer* , M. Werisch, F. Döbbelin, T. Camenzind, M.C. Rillig, K. Potthast, and U.
Hamer; Plant and Soil
* Institute of Soil Science and Site Ecology, Dresden University of Technology, Pienner Straße 19,
01737 Tharandt, Germany
alexander.tischer@tu-dresden.de
Online Resource 3: Results (F-values, significance and degree of freedom (df)) of a linear mixed model
procedure testing the effects of the application of urea (N) and rock phosphate (P), and the combination
(NP) on soil microbial community structure (PLFA, soil depth 0-5 cm, May 2012) including block (1-6) as
random effect. Comparisons according to fertilizer treatments (X=control, N=urea, P=rock phosphate,
NP=combination of both; mean, SD, n=6, post-hoc adjusted p-values<0.05). Significant differences are
indicated by lowercase letters (a>b>c), ns=not significant.
F-value
N
P
NP
df= 1,15 df= 1,15 df= 1,15
Control
X
Urea
N
Rock
phosphate
P
Combination
NP
174.6ns
(21.2)
76.2ns
(9.6)
25.1b
(3.5)
12.6b
(1.4)
11.7ns
(1.8)
1.20ns
(0.17)
221.8ns
(31.9)
92.2ns
(13.3)
36.6ab
(6.2)
14.6ab
(1.9)
14.0ns
(2.9)
1.50ns
(0.26)
245.1ns
(35.2)
103.2ns
(14.8)
41.0a
(7.0)
17.5a
(2.3)
12.3ns
(2.5)
1.4ns
(0.24)
218.1ns
(31.3)
97.3ns
(14.0)
31.8ab
(5.4)
15.2ab
(2.0)
13.2ns
(2.7)
1.3ns
(0.23)
total concentration in nmol g-1
PLFA total
0.2
3.8+
2.8
Gram-negative bacteria
0.0
2.4
3.3+
Gram-positive bacteria
1.1
7.6*
2.3
Actinomycetes
0.1
4.9*
2.4
Fungi
0.7
0.0
0.4
Protozoa/Animals
1.0
0.4
0.3
+
, *, **, *** show statistical significance at the 0.10, 0.05, 0.01, 0.001 level, respectively.
Title: Above- and -belowground linkages of a nitrogen and phosphorus co-limited tropical
mountain pasture system –responses to nutrient enrichment
Authors: A. Tischer* , M. Werisch, F. Döbbelin, T. Camenzind, M.C. Rillig, K. Potthast, and U.
Hamer; Plant and Soil
* Institute of Soil Science and Site Ecology, Dresden University of Technology, Pienner Straße 19,
01737 Tharandt, Germany
alexander.tischer@tu-dresden.de
Online Resource 4: Results (F-values, significance and degree of freedom (df)) of a linear mixed model
procedure testing the effects of the application of urea (N) and rock phosphate (P), and the combination
(NP) on soil microbial activity (mineral soil 0-5 cm, May 2012) including block (1-6) as random effect.
Comparison of soil microbial activity according to fertilizer treatments (X=control, N=urea, P=rock
phosphate, NP=combination of both; mean, SD, n=6, post-hoc adjusted p-values<0.05). Significant
differences are indicated by lowercase letters (a>b>c), ns=not significant.
F-value
Microbial activity
N
P
NP
df= 1,15 df= 1,15 df= 1,15
C-mineralization
(µg CO2-C g-1 d-1)
Net-nitrification
(µg
NO3--N
-1
-1
g d )
Gross-NH4-N-mineralization
(µg NH4+-N g-1 d-1)
Gross- NH4-N-consumption
(µg NH4+-N g-1 d-1)
Rock
phosphate
P
Combination
NP
0.0
0.6
0.060ns
(0.006)
0.065ns
(0.009)
0.062ns
(0.008)
0.066ns
(0.009)
4.5
0.2
0.2
0.23ns
(0.09)
0.49ns
(0.25)
0.22ns
(0.11)
0.27ns
(0.14)
14.7**
0.0
0.1
0.16b
(0.05)
0.45a
(0.16)
0.17b
(0.06)
0.18b
(0.06)
0.0
1.0
0.2
0.14ns
0.09ns
0.05ns
0.10ns
(0.06)
(0.09)
(0.08)
(0.08)
2.3
2.5
0.7
4.2ns
(0.5)
5.9ns
(1.1)
5.6ns
(1.0)
4.8ns
(0.8)
3.2
4.0*
11.3**
6.5c
(0.8)
7.1bc
(1.3)
10.2ab
(1.9)
11.5a
(2.1)
Net-ammonification
(µg NH4+-N g-1 d-1)
Urea
N
0.1
Net-N-mineralization
(µg N g-1 d-1)
Control
X
*, **, *** show statistical significance at the 0.05, 0.01, 0.001 level, respectively.
C-mineralization
CO2-C release during 14 days of incubation (basal respiration according to Isermeyer (1952)).
Net-N-mineralization
Net-N-release during 14 days of incubation (0.1 M KCl 1:4 mass:volume ratio).
Net-ammonification
Net-NH4+-N production during 14 days of incubation (0.1 M KCl 1:4 mass:volume ratio).
Net-nitrification
Net-NO3--N production during 14 days of incubation (0.1 M KCl 1:4 mass:volume ratio).
Gross-NH4+-N-mineralization Gross-NH4+-N production during 1 day of incubation (15N isotope dilution method).
Gross-NH4+-N-consumption Gross-NH4+-N uptake during 1 day of incubation (15N isotope dilution method).
Title: Above- and -belowground linkages of a nitrogen and phosphorus co-limited tropical
mountain pasture system –responses to nutrient enrichment
Authors: A. Tischer* , M. Werisch, F. Döbbelin, T. Camenzind, M.C. Rillig, K. Potthast, and U.
Hamer; Plant and Soil
* Institute of Soil Science and Site Ecology, Dresden University of Technology, Pienner Straße 19,
01737 Tharandt, Germany
alexander.tischer@tu-dresden.de
1
1
1
Evidence ratio
AICc
Akaike weight
adj. R²
-
-
0.50 0.01 178 0.19 1.10
0.54 0.01 179 0.66 1.39
0.49 0.01 179 0.71 1.43
1
0.49 0.01 179 0.78 1.48
1
1
0.53 0.01 179 1.22 1.84
0.53 0.01 179 1.23 1.85
1
1
root N x Bray-Po
DOC x root C
DOC x pH
DON:Bray-Po
DOC:Bray-Po
DOC:DON
pH
Bray-Po
DOC
MBN:MBP
MBC:MBP
MBC:MBN
MBP
MBN
MBC
Fungi
Actinomycetes
Gram (-)
Gram (+)
DON
1
1
1
0.43 0.01 179 1.24 1.86
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0.47 0.01 180 1.60 2.23
1
0.47 0.00 180 1.68 2.32
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0.47 0.01 179 1.50 2.12
1
0.52 0.01 179 1.52 2.14
0.47 0.00 180 1.76 2.41
1
1
1
0.51 0.00 180 1.93 2.62
1
1
1 10 4
0.52 0.01 179 1.43 2.04
1
1
1
5
PLFA total
1
1
3
1
1
1
sum
root N:P
1
1
1
1
0.46 0.01 178
1
1
1
root C:N
1
1
1
root P
root N
root C
1
δAICc
Gram(+)-bacteria
(nmol)
leaf N:P
leaf C:N
leaf P
response variable
leaf N
leaf C
Online Resource 5: Alternative models and model statistics for the relationships of Gram-positive bacterial biomass to plant, microbial, and soil predictors of the pasture
fertilisation experiment in southern Ecuador. All predictors listed were considered in the modelling process. Interactions between particular variables were considered as
well and were indicated by x. The table indicates the variables included in the δAICc≤2 models. Variables indicated by 1 were included in the particular δAICc≤2 model.
Adjusted R2 reflects the proportion of variance described by the particular model. δAICc represents the absolute difference in AICc between the “best” model and the
particular model. Evidence ratios compare the Akaike weight of the "best" with the particular model and are all very low according to their derivation from δ AICc. Predictors
are described in the text.
0.41 0.00 180 1.95 2.65
1
1
17 5
1
1
1
0.46 0.00 180 1.97 2.68
2
1
2
Title: Above- and -belowground linkages of a nitrogen and phosphorus co-limited tropical mountain pasture system –responses to nutrient enrichment
Authors: A. Tischer* , M. Werisch, F. Döbbelin, T. Camenzind, M.C. Rillig, K. Potthast, and U. Hamer; Plant and Soil
* Institute of Soil Science and Site Ecology, Dresden University of Technology, Pienner Straße 19, 01737 Tharandt, Germany
alexander.tischer@tu-dresden.de
0.37
coefficient mean
1.49 -1.34
2.07
coefficient SE
0.47 0.45
0.44
1
1
effect size
0.36 0.18
0.00
0.16
coefficient mean
1.87 -1.44
0.89
1.65
coefficient SE
0.54 0.45
0.64
0.52
model 1
1
1
effect size
0.40
0.06
0.16
coefficient mean
0.18
-0.11
-0.12
coefficient SE
0.04
0.04
0.04
1
1
effect size
0.18 0.26
0.07
0.16
coefficient mean
-0.05 0.16
-0.12
-0.12
coefficient SE
0.04 0.04
0.04
0.04
model 3
1
δAICc
Evidence ratio
AICc
Akaike weight
adj. R²
root N x Bray-Po
DOC x root C
DOC x pH
-
-
0.64 0.03 111 1.28 1.90
1
1
DON:Bray-Po
0.62 0.06 110
1
model 2
DOC:Bray-Po
DOC:DON
1
0.19 0.12
1
pH
Bray-Po
DON
DOC
MBN:MBP
MBC:MBP
MBC:MBN
MBP
MBN
MBC
Fungi
Actinomycetes
Gram (-)
Gram (+)
PLFA total
root N:P
root C:N
root P
root N
1
root C
1
effect size
model 2
Net-Nammonification
leaf N:P
model 1
leaf C:N
Gross-NH4-Nconsumption
leaf P
variable
leaf N
leaf C
Online Resource 6: Alternative models and model statistics for the relationships of microbial activity (gross-NH4-N-consumption, net-ammonification) to plant, microbial,
and soil predictors of the pasture fertilisation experiment in southern Ecuador. All predictors listed were considered in the modelling process. Interactions between
particular variables were considered as well and were indicated by x. The table indicates the variables included in the δAICc≤2 models. Variables indicated by 1 were
included in δAICc≤2 models. Model statistics summarizes effect sizes, mean and standard error (SE) of coefficients for particular variables. Adjusted R2 reflects the
proportion of variance described by the respective variable in the model. Evidence ratios compare the Akaike weight of the "best" with the particular model and are all very
low according to their derivation from δ AICc; δAICc represents the absolute difference in AICc between the “best” model and the particular model. Predictors are
described in the text.
0.57 0.02 -8.90
-
-
0.59 0.01 -7.24 1.66 2.29
1
1
1
1
effect size
0.40
0.10
0.01
0.14
coefficient mean
0.20
-0.08
-0.13
-0.19
coefficient SE
0.04
0.04
0.07
0.07
0.58 0.01 -7.09 1.81 2.47
Title: Above- and -belowground linkages of a nitrogen and phosphorus co-limited tropical mountain pasture system –responses to nutrient enrichment
Authors: A. Tischer* , M. Werisch, F. Döbbelin, T. Camenzind, M.C. Rillig, K. Potthast, and U. Hamer; Plant and Soil
* Institute of Soil Science and Site Ecology, Dresden University of Technology, Pienner Straße 19, 01737 Tharandt, Germany
alexander.tischer@tu-dresden.de