The nitrogen form has altered the competitive advantage of the invasive plant Amaranthus retroflexus over the local species

The nitrogen form has altered the competitive advantage of the invasive plant Amaranthus retroflexus over the local species | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 17 February 2026 V1 Latest version Share on The nitrogen form has altered the competitive advantage of the invasive plant Amaranthus retroflexus over the local species Authors : Fan Yang , Zhang Yige , Wenhui Wang , Xu Lu , Zhang Jiayu , and Jing Cao 0000-0002-8003-8978 [email protected] Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.177132616.60330469/v1 2 views 2 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Nitrogen forms and native plant traits jointly regulate the competitive ability of invasive plants. This study investigated the invasive species Amaranthus retroflexus alongside the native species Portulaca oleracea and Medicago sativa. Using a pot experiment, we analyzed their competitive effects under NO3–N, NH4+-N, CO(NH2)2-N and mixed nitrogen (Mix‑N) treatments. The results showed that nitrogen addition had no significant effect on the relative yield of A. retroflexus but significantly increased the relative yield of P. oleracea, thereby weakening the competitive advantage of A. retroflexus. In contrast, nitrogen addition had no significant effect on the relative yield of M. sativa, but significantly increased the relative yield of A. retroflexus, thereby enhancing its competitive advantage. The effect of NO3–N treatment varied markedly between the two mixed‑culture systems: it strengthened the advantage of A. retroflexus when grown with M. sativa, yet weakened the advantage when grown with P. oleracea. Further analysis revealed that the competitive advantage of A. retroflexus was associated with the optimization of its photosynthetic structural traits and nitrogen absorption efficiency. Specifically, it was manifested as higher leaf number, leaf area, SPAD value, and leaf biomass. In summary, the competitive performance of invasive plants is not a fixed attribute but rather a dynamic outcome jointly regulated by the interplay between native plant traits and soil nitrogen forms. This provides a theoretical basis for understanding their invasion mechanism and formulating targeted prevention and control strategies. Supplementary Material File (the nitrogen form has altered the competitive advantage of the invasive plant amaranthus retroflexus over the local species.docx) Download 928.24 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 17 February 2026 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords ecological experiment ecosystem ecology laboratory plants Authors Affiliations Fan Yang Qingdao Agricultural University View all articles by this author Zhang Yige Qingdao Agricultural University View all articles by this author Wenhui Wang Qingdao Agricultural University View all articles by this author Xu Lu Qingdao Agricultural University View all articles by this author Zhang Jiayu Qingdao Agricultural University View all articles by this author Jing Cao 0000-0002-8003-8978 [email protected] Qingdao Agricultural University View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 2 views 2 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Fan Yang, Zhang Yige, Wenhui Wang, et al. The nitrogen form has altered the competitive advantage of the invasive plant Amaranthus retroflexus over the local species. Authorea . 17 February 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.177132616.60330469/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . Format Please select one from the list RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks Direct import Tips for downloading citations document.getElementById('citMgrHelpLink').addEventListener('click', function() { popupHelp(this.href); return false; }); $(".js__slcInclude").on("change", function(e){ if ($(this).val() == 'refworks') $('#direct').prop("checked", false); $('#direct').prop("disabled", ($(this).val() == 'refworks')); }); View Options View options PDF View PDF Figures Tables Media Share Share Share article link Copy Link Copied! Copying failed. 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