Carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus stoichiometry in differently aged lucerne stands during flowering

This study aimed to test the hypothesis that stoichiometric ratios of C, N and P change with plant growth during flowering. The C: N, C: P and N: P varied without solid trends during flowering. The C: N was significantly different only between cuts, while the C: P and N: P were influenced by age, cut and their interaction. The C: N and C: P were higher in the 1st cut than in the 2nd cut, while for N: P, it was opposite. No solid trends were observed with the effects of age on both C: P and N: P. The N and P were closely correlated with C: N, C: P and N: P. Conclusively, stoichiometric ratios of C, N and P varied during flowering and changed with stand age and cut.