Consistent with an hypothesis of enhanced N limitation in subsoil, we observed a highly significant difference in shootand root N concentrations between topsoil and subsoil, yet no differences in shoot and root P and K concentrations between seedlings grown in topsoil and subsoil. Consequently, leaf N:P ratios, which are consideredan indication whether plant performance is N versus P-limited (Güsewell, 2004) were above 15 in topsoil (indicating P limitation) and 8 in subsoil (indicating N limitation).