Soil fertility and heavy metal pollution (Pb and Cd) alter kin interaction of Sorghum vulgare

We conclude that kin recognition of S. vulgare was soil fertility and heavy metal stress depended. Kin benefit occurred below ground in nutrient poor soil, while it occurred above ground in nutrient rich soil. Pb stress alone made co-occurrence of kin recognition and competition, while Cd stress alone supported kin competition. By comparison, the Pb plus Cd stress supported kin recognition of S. vulgare. Plant NUE for specific elements, combined with morphological and physiological performance, can be used as sensitive response indicators for kin recognition under complicated soil conditions.