Atmospheric nitrogen deposition on petals enhances seed quality of the forest herb <italic>Anemone nemorosa</italic>.

Abstract: Elevated atmospheric input of nitrogen (N) is currently affecting plant biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. The growth and survival of numerous plant species is known to respond strongly to N fertilisation. Yet, few studies have assessed the effects of N deposition on seed quality and reproductive performance, which is an important life‐history stage of plants. Here we address this knowledge gap by assessing the effects of atmospheric N deposition on seed quality of the ancient forest herb <italic>Anemone nemorosa</italic> using two complementary approaches. By taking advantage of the wide spatiotemporal variation in N deposition rates in pan‐European temperate and boreal forests over 2 years, we detected positive effects of N deposition on the N concentration (percentage N per unit seed mass, increased from 2.8% to 4.1%) and N content (total N mass per seed more than doubled) of <italic>A. nemorosa</italic> seeds. In a complementary experiment, we applied ammonium nitrate to aboveground plant tissues and the soil surface to determine whether dissolved N sources in precipitation could be incorporated into seeds. Although the addition of N to leaves and the soil surface had no effect, a concentrated N solution applied to petals during anthesis resulted in increased seed mass, seed N concentration and N content. Our results demonstrate that N deposition on the petals enhances bioaccumulation of N in the seeds of <italic>A. nemorosa</italic>. Enhanced atmospheric inputs of N can thus not only affect growth and population dynamics <italic>via</italic> root or canopy uptake, but can also influence seed quality and reproduction <italic>via</italic> intake through the inflorescences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]