Management practices regulate the response of Moso bamboo foliar stoichiometry to nitrogen deposition

Moso bamboo, well known for its high growth rate, is being subjected to increasing amounts of nitrogen deposition. However, how anthropogenic management practices regulate the effects of N deposition on Moso bamboo stoichiometry remains poorly understood. We observed the effects of two years of simulated N deposition (30, 60 and 90 kg N ha(−1)yr(−1)) on the foliar stoichiometry of Moso bamboo plantations under conventional management (CM) and intensive management (IM). Young bamboo had significantly greater foliar N and P concentrations and N:P ratios than mature plants (P < 0.05). IM significantly increased the foliar N concentrations of young bamboo and P concentrations of mature bamboo but decreased mature bamboo foliar N:P ratios (P < 0.05). Nitrogen increased foliar N and P concentrations in IM bamboo plantations, but the positive effects were diminished when the addition rate exceeded 60 kg N ha(−1)yr(−1). Nitrogen increased foliar N concentrations but aggravated P deficiency in CM bamboo plantations. The positive effects of N deposition on foliar stoichiometry were influenced by management practices and bamboo growth stage. The effects of N deposition on foliar stoichiometry combined with anthropogenic management practices can influence ecosystem production, decomposition, and subsequent N and P cycles in Moso bamboo plantations.