No neighbour-induced increase in root growth of soybean and sunflower in mesh-divider experiments after controlling for nutrient concentration and soil volume

Abstract Root competition is a key factor determining plant performance, community structure and ecosystem productivity. To adequately estimate the extent of root proliferation plants in response to neighbours independently nutrient availability, one should use set-up that can simultaneously control for both concentration soil volume at individual level. With mesh-divider design, which was suggested as promising solution this problem, we conducted two intraspecific experiments: with soybean (Glycine max) other sunflower (Helianthus annuus). We found no growth or biomass allocation neighbours, i.e. an ‘ideal free distribution’ (IFD) norm, soybean; even reduced negative sunflower. These responses are all inconsistent hypothesis produce more roots expense fitness over-proliferation. Our results suggest neighbour-induced over-proliferation not ubiquitous feature plants. By integrating findings from studies, conclude some species could be genotype-dependent result natural artificial selection, context-dependent so switch IFD depending on environment competition. also critically discuss whether design ideal experiments.