Rhizosphere effects and microbial N limitations drive the root N limitations in the rhizosphere during secondary succession in a Pinus tabuliformis forest in North China

Rhizosphere effects (REs) have recently been identified as important regulators of root and microbial nutrient acquisition and are positively involved in nutrient cycling of belowground carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P). Nutrient conditions of the fine roots and soil N are likely to influence REs. Still, it is unclear how REs of soil nutrients themselves variably impact the supply of nutrients to plants in terms of the responses to soil N due to succession.