Du Toit, EGriebenow, SVeste, MHills, PValentine, ALötter, DaleenKleinert, A2026-03-102026-03-102025-091727-93210254-6299https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2025.07.030http://hdl.handle.net/10204/14740Aspalathus linearis (rooibos) is an important legume crop species in South Africa, however, its agricultural growth is under threat due to constraints induced by climate change. A reduction in water availability during the rainfall season is expected, influencing variation in growth and functioning through alterations in soil conditions. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the seasonal variation in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) nutrient acquisition for A. linearis grown in two different soils on a commercial farm, by assessing nutrient recycling and mobilisation enzymes that are associated with N and P. Below-ground material sampling occurred in both the summer and winter months, corresponding to the dry and wet seasons of the region respectively. Both soil and seasonal variations had a significant impact on N and P acquisition enzymes. An increase in enzyme activity was seen during wetter seasons across all enzymes studied, with the highest enzyme activity commonly found in the shoots of the plants. Soils with increased carbon (C) and P did not lead to an increase in enzyme activity, however, they did influence amino acid concentrations with increases in amino acid concentrations in wetter seasons, while lower levels of these elements resulted in little change across seasons. This study highlights that A. linearis obtains nutrients during the wetter season allowing growth during the dry season. Furthermore, slight changes in soil conditions lead to changes in seasonal variation of nutrient acquisition, which could increase plant resilience to drought.FulltextenAspalathus linearis (rooibos)Rooibos growth threatNitrogen seasonalityClimate change agricultural impactsNitrogen assimilationNutrient acquisitionPhosphorus availabilityArticleN/A