Drought alters plant?soil feedback effects on biomass allocation but not on plant performance

Abstract Aims Drought events can alter the composition of plant and soil communities, are becoming increasingly common severe due to climate change. However, how droughts affect plant-soil feedbacks is still poorly understood. Plants accumulate species-specific rhizosphere may have varying impacts across species biota. We therefore tested hypothesis that drought alters differently among closely related differ in their preferences for moisture. Methods In a two-phase greenhouse experiment, we first conditioned grassland with seven Geranium and, as controls, grass or left unplanted. second phase, grew conspecific, grass-conditioned unplanted soil, maintained moisture at 5 %, 10 % 20 (w/w), determined biomass responses after 35 days. Results Independent conditioning, plants showed weaker performance decreasing Under driest conditions, conditioning by conspecifics most negatively affected relative root weight comparison growing control while effects conspecific on weights were when compared grown soil. Conclusions conclude decreased modified feedback allocation, these modifications acted ways. subtle, did not overall performance. Therefore, during event be limited direct drought.