Root ingrowth reduces litter N remaining in SOM
Root ingrowth did not significantly alter litter C remaining in total SOM (Fig. 2a , p>0.10) but reduced the litter N remaining in total SOM by 20% relative to both root exclusion treatments (Fig. 2b , p<0.001). Within the SOM fractions, root ingrowth reduced both litter C (Fig. 2a , light green, p=0.001) and litter N (Fig. 2b , light green, p<0.001) remaining in the unprotected light POM fraction.