Data for: Afterlife effects of litter traits modulate rhizosphere multitrophic stability and plant growth–defense strategies

These responses were primarily associated with lower litter N and higher C:N and lignin:N ratios. Multitrophic diversity increased with decreasing expected litter decomposability, with a parallel increase in the proportion of positive associations during the fifth year of litter addition. Network stability, defined as the ability of the inferred network to maintain cohesion and connectivity under simulated disturbance, was 84–102% higher under corn and rape litter than under alfalfa litter.

Greater stability was associated with lower rhizospheric N availability and a shift from an acquisitive, growth-oriented strategy toward a more conservative, defense-oriented strategy.</p><p dir="ltr">4.Synthesis. Our findings connect the afterlife effects of litter traits with rhizosphere multitrophic stability, N availability, and plant growth–defense strategies, extending trait-based frameworks from decomposition to plant performance.

Determining the generality of these relationships across a broader range of plant species and ecosystems represents an important next step in advancing trait-based predictions of plant–soil feedbacks.</p>