Carry-over benefit of high internal N pool on growth and function of oak seedlings (Quercus petraea) competing with Deschampsia cespitosa

A carry-over effect of N-loading thus had a positive effect on growth and function in oak seedlings when no water stress occurred under low competition by D. cespitosa: this effect may derive from more N storage in perennial tissues, resulting in more N mobilized during vegetative growth. Our results underline the importance of the internal N pool in plant competition, and are evidence that a higher potential regenerative success rate of oak seedlings is related to abiotic conditions, competitive pressure and internal N pool.