Response of ecological stoichiometry and homeostasis characteristic to nitrogen addition in Hippophae rhamnoides L

Nitrogen (N) in the atmosphere frequently affects plant growth, ecological stoichiometric equilibrium, and homeostasis stability. However, the effect of N addition application on the growth of Hippophae rhamnoides seedlings remains ambiguous. We investigated the effects of N addition on the ecological stoichiometry and homeostatic characteristics of H. rhamnoides seedlings. Greenhouse cultivation experiments were conducted at five N application levels: 0 kg ha−1 yr−1(CK), 100 kg ha−1 yr−1 (N10), 200 kg ha−1 yr−1 (N20), 400 kg ha−1 yr−1 (N40), 800 kg ha−1 yr−1 (N80). The results showed that pH and available phosphorus (AP) significantly decreased with increasing N, whereas soil C:P and N:P ratios significantly increased under the N40 and N80 treatments. The leaf C:N ratio significantly decreased with increasing N, whereas the N:P ratio increased. With N addition, the C:N ratio of plant stems and roots significantly decreased, whereas the C:P and N:P ratios significantly increased. N addition was significantly correlated with the ecological stoichiometry of plant leaves and soil properties (0.38 and 0.84, respectively). Homeostasis of the organs of H. rhamnoides seedlings exhibited an absolute steady state. The C, N, and C:P ratios of the roots exhibited insensitive states under the N40 treatment. N addition significantly modified both the soil ecological stoichiometry and the stoichiometry of H. rhamnoides seedlings. However, it did not demonstrate a pronounced negative effect on the homeostasis of H. rhamnoides seedlings. This study offers new insights into the ecological adaptation process of H. rhamnoides, particularly concerning its nutrient distribution, utilization strategies, and stability. [Display omitted] •The soil C:P and N:P ratios under the N40 and N80 treatments significantly increased.•The leaf C:N ratio decreased significantly, whereas N:P ratio increased.•N addition was associated with both H. rhamnoides leaf and soil C:N:P ratios.•Homeostasis of organs of H. rhamnoides seedlings showed an absolute steady state.