Freeze-thaw cycles alter the growth sprouting strategy of wetland plants by promoting denitrification

Abstract Freeze-thaw cycles exert an important abiotic stress on plants at the beginning of winter and spring in mid-to-high latitudes. Here, we investigate whether effects freeze-thaw are carried over into growing season wetlands. We conduct a temperature-controlled experiment under two flooding conditions typical plant ( Scirpus planiculmis ) soil from Momoge wetland (China) analyze microbial nitrogen metabolism, based metagenomic sequencing. show that earlier year significantly inhibit sprouting early growth. Specifically, they promote denitrification thus reduce levels, which turn intensifies limitation soil. find tend to sprout later but faster after exposed cycles. Wetland could alleviate these medium-term Our results suggest latitudes have evolved growth strategies adapt climatic spring.