Temperature has a Greater Effect on Growth Strategies in Helianthus than Soil Type

Abstract

Climate change is a serious ongoing problem and understanding how plant species respond to these changes is crucial for planning agricultural and conservation efforts. Specific leaf area (SLA), a proxy for investment and whole plant growth, can be influenced by both soil type and temperature with mixed effects. Plant height is also known to be influenced by similar factors. This experiment aimed to distinguish the effects of soil type and temperature on both SLA and height, using controlled conditions in growth chambers and fertilizer additions to manipulate temperature and nutrient levels. The hypotheses were: 1. Temperature would have a stronger effect on SLA compared to soil phosphorus level. 2. Plants grown under warmer conditions would grow taller than those grown under cooler conditions