Bertin-Benavides, A.Bascuñán-Godoy, L.Henríquez-Castillo C.Delgado, M.Burgos, C.F.Mardones, C.Ávila-Valdés, A.Valdebenito, F.Bravo, S.Rubilar, R.Hasbún, R.Zúñiga-Feest, A.2021-09-172021-09-172020-08Plant and Soil Open Access Volume 453, Issue 1-2, Pages 473 - 4851 August 20200032-079Xhttp://repositorio.unab.cl/xmlui/handle/ria/20294Indexación: Scopus.Aims: Embothrium coccineum is a pioneer tree that produces cluster roots (CR) induced by phosphorus (P) or nitrogen (N) deficiency, but the role which both N and P play in CR formation for different E. coccineum populations is still unknown. We hypothesized that in E. coccineum, N influences the CR formation response, primarily induced by P limitation. However, this response depends on local adaptations to their specific conditions of geographic origin. Methods: Seedlings from three contrasting edaphoclimatic conditions (Northern, Central and Southern populations) were grown in hydroponic culture under high and low N supply and at five different P supply. Morphophysiological responses, including CR number, growth, biomass, P and N plant concentration, were studied. Results: Our results showed that at high N supply, CR formation was stimulated with increased P supply, but just until it reaches a maximum of 5 μM, above this concentration CR formation decreases. However, at low N supply, a constitutive response was observed regardless of P supply. Moreover, each of these responses depends on the populations. Conclusions: Our study suggests that N drives CR formation induced by P supply and that a differential response exists among E. coccineum populations, that could be related to their origin edaphoclimatic conditions. © 2020, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.enCluster rootEcotypeGeographic-originLocal-adaptationN/PNutritionProteaceaeArtículo10.1007/s11104-020-04622-0