Fig. 2: Mixing effects on root decomposition as a function of trait dissimilarity.

a The relative contribution (%) of trait dissimilarity (expressed as the absolute difference between the two component species in the mixture) on mixing effects of all root combinations (n = 138) based on hierarchical partitioning analyses. b The relative contribution (%) of trait dissimilarity on mixing effects of root combinations with statistically significant synergistic effects (n = 79 out of 138 combinations in total) based on hierarchical partitioning analyses. c–f Mixing effects on root decomposition as a function of trait dissimilarity: N (c), CTs (d), C:N (e), and CTs:N (f). Open circles are for mixtures with purely additive effects, dark closed circles are for significant positive (synergistic) mixing effects, and light closed circles are for significant negative (antagonistic) mixing effects. The linear regressions are either fitted across all data (all 138 mixtures, dotted lines) or across only the mixtures with synergistic effects (a total of 79 mixtures, solid lines). There were no significant correlations for mixtures with antagonistic effects (Supplementary Table 4). The statistical significance of the linear regression was assessed using two-sided F-tests (Supplementary Table 4). RD, root diameter (mm); SRL, specific root length (m g⁻¹); RTD, root tissue density (g cm⁻³); C, root carbon concentration (mg g⁻¹); N, root nitrogen concentration (mg g); CTs, total condensed tannins concentration (mg g⁻¹); C:N, root carbon to nitrogen ratio; CTs:N, root condensed tannins to nitrogen ratio; Ratios are based on mass. Source data are provided as a Source Data file.