S. lancifolia plants grew more slowly in the low-P treatment. This reduction in growth
rate reduces the generalized demand for P. S. lancifolia’s reduction of blade width under Pdeficiency,
however, may be a specific response to effects of LP on photosynthesis. The
reduction of lamina surface area decreases investment in photosynthetic area that cannot be
used because lack of P limits photosynthesis (Foyer and Spencer, 1986; Fredeen et al.,
1990; Jacob and Lawlor, 1992; Kondracka and Rychter, 1997). The plant avoids production
of photosynthetic biomass and instead increases relative allocation of biomass to roots,
thus increasing nutrient up-take capacity.