Succession and environmental variation influence soil exploration potential by fine roots and mycorrhizal fungi in an Atlantic ecosystem in southern Brazil

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 237-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Waldemar Zangaro ◽  
Ricardo de Almeida Alves ◽  
Priscila Bochi de Souza ◽  
Leila Vergal Rostirola ◽  
Luiz Eduardo Azevedo Marques Lescano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Secondary Forest ◽  
Root Hairs ◽  
Infection Intensity ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Mature Forest ◽  
Fine Root Length ◽  
Soil Exploration

Abstract:Fast-growing plant species are plentiful at the early stages of succession and possess roots with greater capacity for soil exploration than slow-growing plant species of late stages. Thus, the dynamics of fine-root production, morphological traits and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) infection intensity were assessed monthly over 1 y in the grassland, scrub, secondary and mature forests of the Atlantic Forest ecosystem, amounting to 13 consecutive samplings. Fine roots were sampled in three 100 × 100-m plots at each study site. Each plot was subdivided in five 20 × 100-m subplots and 15 soil samples were randomly taken from a depth of 0–5 cm in soil within each plot. The average of the fine-root dry mass increased from 1.39 mg cm−3 soil in the grassland to 3.37 mg cm−3 in the secondary forest; fine-root tip diameter varied from 146 μm in the grassland to 303 μm in the mature forest; tissue density from 0.24 g cm−3 root in the grassland to 0.30 g cm−3 in the mature forest and fine-root length was 4.52 cm cm−3 soil in the grassland and 6.48 cm cm−3 soil in the secondary forest. On the other hand, fine-root specific length decreased from 43.9 m g−1 root to 18.3 m g−1 root in the mature forest; incidence of root hairs was 67% in the grassland and 30% in the mature forest; the length of root hairs was 215 μm in the grassland and 112 μm in the mature forest; and the intensity of AMF infection decreased from 66% in the grassland to 17% in the mature forest. In addition to AMF infection, the environmental variation also affected dry mass production and morphological traits of fine roots. During the cool season, fine-root dry mass, fine-root length, incidence and length of root hairs and intensity of AMF infection decreased compared with the warm season. We verified that the potential for soil exploration, that expresses the capacity for nutrient acquisition via fine roots and AMF infection intensity, decreased during the cool season and with the advance of the successional groups. These results indicate that fine-root traits and intensity of AMF infection are influenced by the intrinsic nutrient requirements of the plant species in each ecological group.

scholarly journals RAINFALL REGIME ON FINE ROOT GROWTH IN A SEASONALLY DRY TROPICAL FOREST

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 458-469
Author(s):  
EUNICE MAIA DE ANDRADE ◽  
GILBERTO QUEVEDO ROSA ◽  
ALDENIA MENDES MASCENA DE ALMEIDA ◽  
ANTONIO GIVANILSON RODRIGUES DA SILVA ◽  
MARIA GINA TORRES SENA
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Root Length ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Fine Root Biomass ◽  
Rainfall Regime ◽  
Seasonally Dry ◽  
Fine Root Length ◽  
Fine Root Growth

ABSTRACT Seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTF) usually present dry seasons of eight or more months. Considering the concerns about the resilience of SDTF to climate changes, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the rainfall regime on fine root growth in a SDTF. The experiment started at the end of the wet season (July 2015), when fine roots were evaluated and ingrowth cores were implemented. The temporal growth of fine roots in the 0-30 cm soil layer was monitored, considering the 0-10, 10-20, and 20-30 cm sublayers, through six samplings from November 2015 to July 2017. The characteristics evaluated were fine root biomass, fine root length, fine root specific length, and fine root mean diameter. The significances of the root growths over time and space were tested by the Kruskal-Wallis test (p<0.05). Fine roots (Ø<2 mm) were separated and dried in an oven (65 °C) until constant weight. The root length was determined using the Giaroots software. The fine root biomass in July 2015 was 7.7±5.0 Mg ha-1 and the length was 5.0±3.2 km m-2. Fine root growth in SDTF is strongly limited by dry periods, occurring decreases in biomass and length of fine roots in all layers evaluated. Fine root growth occurs predominantly in rainy seasons, with fast response of the root system to rainfall events, mainly in root length.

Dynamics of fine-root production and mortality of Scots pine in waterlogged peat soil during the growing season

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. 510-518
Author(s):  
Tapani Repo ◽  
Timo Domisch ◽  
Jouni Kilpeläinen ◽  
Sirpa Piirainen ◽  
Raimo Silvennoinen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scots Pine ◽  
Tree Growth ◽  
Root Length ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Peat Soil ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Root Production ◽  
Fine Root Length

Excess water in the rooting zone critically reduces tree growth and may even kill trees; however, the relative importance of damage to roots versus aboveground parts and the time course of damage are not well understood. We studied the dynamics of fine-root growth and mortality of 7-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) saplings affected by a 5-week period of waterlogging (WL) during the growing season. Two out of six WL-exposed saplings survived the treatment. After 1–2 weeks of WL, the mortality of the first-order short roots (usually mycorrhizas) started to increase and the production of these roots started to decrease. WL decreased the longevity of short and long roots. Total root length (especially of fine roots with a diameter < 0.5 mm), specific fine-root length, total root dry mass (including stump), and reverse-flow root hydraulic conductance were lower in WL saplings than in control saplings at the end of the experiment; however, several root traits were similar in control and surviving WL saplings. Because of the high importance of fine roots for tree growth and carbon sequestration, their responses to elevated water tables should be considered in sustainable use and management of boreal peatland forests, for example, by continuous cover forestry and (or) ditch network maintenance.

scholarly journals The Right-Skewed Distribution of Fine-Root Size in Three Temperate Forests in Northeastern China

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cunguo Wang ◽  
Ivano Brunner ◽  
Junni Wang ◽  
Wei Guo ◽  
Zhenzhen Geng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Root Diameter ◽  
Northeastern China ◽  
Skewed Distribution ◽  
Root Number ◽  
First Order ◽  
Fine Root Length ◽  
Root Size

Trees can build fine-root systems with high variation in root size (e.g., fine-root diameter) and root number (e.g., branching pattern) to optimize belowground resource acquisition in forest ecosystems. Compared with leaves, which are visible above ground, information about the distribution and inequality of fine-root size and about key associations between fine-root size and number is still limited. We collected 27,573 first-order fine-roots growing out of 3,848 second-order fine-roots, covering 51 tree species in three temperate forests (Changbai Mountain, CBS; Xianrendong, XRD; and Maoershan, MES) in Northeastern China. We investigated the distribution and inequality of fine-root length, diameter and area (fine-root size), and their trade-off with fine-root branching intensity and ratio (fine-root number). Our results showed a strong right-skewed distribution in first-order fine-root size across various tree species. Unimodal frequency distributions were observed in all three of the sampled forests for first-order fine-root length and area and in CBS and XRD for first-order fine-root diameter, whereas a marked bimodal frequency distribution of first-order fine-root diameter appeared in MES. Moreover, XRD had the highest and MES had the lowest inequality values (Gini coefficients) in first-order fine-root diameter. First-order fine-root size showed a consistently linear decline with increasing root number. Our findings suggest a common right-skewed distribution with unimodality or bimodality of fine-root size and a generalized trade-off between fine-root size and number across the temperate tree species. Our results will greatly improve our thorough understanding of the belowground resource acquisition strategies of temperate trees and forests.

scholarly journals Mean age of carbon in fine roots from temperate forests and grasslands with different management

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 5671-5700 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Solly ◽  
I. Schöning ◽  
S. Boch ◽  
J. Müller ◽  
S. A. Socher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Plant Species Diversity ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Perennial Species ◽  
Temperate Grasslands ◽  
Organic C ◽  
The Mean

Abstract. Fine roots are the most dynamic portion of a plant's root system and a major source of soil organic matter. By altering plant species diversity and composition, soil conditions and nutrient availability, and consequently belowground allocation and dynamics of root carbon (C) inputs, land-use and management changes may influence organic C storage in terrestrial ecosystems. In three German regions we measured fine root radiocarbon (14C) content to estimate the mean time since C in root tissues was fixed from the atmosphere in 54 grassland and forest plots with different management and soil conditions. Although root biomass was on average greater in grasslands 5.1 ± 0.8 g (mean ± SE, n = 27) than in forests 3.1 ± 0.5 g (n = 27), the mean age of C in fine roots in forests averaged 11.3 ± 1.8 yr and was significantly older and more variable compared to grasslands 1.7 ± 0.4 yr. We further found that management affects the mean age of fine root C in temperate grasslands mediated by changes in plant species diversity and composition. Fine root mean C age is positively correlated to plant diversity (r = 0.65) and to the number of perennial species (r = 0.77). In temperate grasslands the mean age of fine root C is also influenced by the study region mainly driven by differences in soil characteristics and climate which reflect in plant composition variations, with averages of 0.7 ± 0.1 yr (n = 9) on mostly organic sandy soils in northern Germany and of 1.8 ± 0.3 yr (n = 9) and 2.6 ± 0.3 (n = 9) in more silty and clayey soils respectively in central and southern Germany. Our results indicate an internal redistribution of C in perennial species and suggest linkages between fine root C age and management in grasslands. These findings improve our ability to predict and model belowground C fluxes across broader spatial scales.

scholarly journals Dynamic Responses of Multidiameter-class Fine Roots at Different Soil Depths to Thinning Measures in a Secondary Forest in China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue Pang ◽  
Jing Tian ◽  
Dexiang Wang
Keyword(s):  
Biomass Production ◽  
Dynamic Characteristics ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Turnover Rate ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Secondary Forest ◽  
Fine Root Biomass ◽  
Dynamic Responses ◽  
Qinling Mountains

Abstract Background: Fine roots make critical contributions to carbon stocks and terrestrial productivity, and multidiameter-class fine roots exhibit functional heterogeneity. However, the dynamic characteristics of multidiameter-class fine roots at different soil depths following thinning disturbances are poorly understood. We investigated the biomass, production, mortality and turnover rate of < 0.5 mm, 0.5–1 mm and 1–2 mm fine roots at 0-20 cm, 20-40 cm and 40-60 cm soil depths under five thinning intensities (0%, 15%, 30%, 45%, and 60%) in a secondary forest in the Qinling Mountains. Results: The biomass, production and turnover rate of < 0.5 mm fine roots fluctuated with increasing thinning intensity, while 0.5-1 mm and 1-2 mm fine root biomass significantly decreased. Thinning measures had no effects on fine root necromass (except for T4) or mortality. The fine root dynamic characteristics in deeper soils were more sensitive to thinning measures. Principal component analysis results show that increased < 0.5 mm fine root biomass and production resulted from increased shrub and herb diversity and biomass and decreased soil nutrient availability, stand volume and litter biomass, whereas 0.5-1 mm and 1-2 mm fine root biomass showed the opposite trends and change mechanisms. Conclusions: Our results provide evidence of the positive effect of thinning on very fine root (< 0.5 mm) biomass and production and the negative effect on thicker fine roots (0.5-1, 1-2 mm) or all fine root (< 2 mm) biomass. From the perspective of fine root biomass and productivity, T2 (30%) is recommended for use in secondary forests of the Qinling Mountains. Moreover, our results suggest that thinning practices have varied effects on the dynamic characteristics of multidiameter-class fine roots.

scholarly journals Mean age of carbon in fine roots from temperate forests and grasslands with different management

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 4833-4843 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Solly ◽  
I. Schöning ◽  
S. Boch ◽  
J. Müller ◽  
S. A. Socher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Plant Species Diversity ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Organic Soils ◽  
Perennial Species ◽  
Organic C ◽  
The Mean

Abstract. Fine roots are the most dynamic portion of a plant's root system and a major source of soil organic matter. By altering plant species diversity and composition, soil conditions and nutrient availability, and consequently belowground allocation and dynamics of root carbon (C) inputs, land-use and management changes may influence organic C storage in terrestrial ecosystems. In three German regions, we measured fine root radiocarbon (14C) content to estimate the mean time since C in root tissues was fixed from the atmosphere in 54 grassland and forest plots with different management and soil conditions. Although root biomass was on average greater in grasslands 5.1 ± 0.8 g (mean ± SE, n = 27) than in forests 3.1 ± 0.5 g (n = 27) (p < 0.05), the mean age of C in fine roots in forests averaged 11.3 ± 1.8 yr and was older and more variable compared to grasslands 1.7 ± 0.4 yr (p < 0.001). We further found that management affects the mean age of fine root C in temperate grasslands mediated by changes in plant species diversity and composition. Fine root mean C age is positively correlated with plant diversity (r = 0.65) and with the number of perennial species (r = 0.77). Fine root mean C age in grasslands was also affected by study region with averages of 0.7 ± 0.1 yr (n = 9) on mostly organic soils in northern Germany and of 1.8 ± 0.3 yr (n = 9) and 2.6 ± 0.3 (n = 9) in central and southern Germany (p < 0.05). This was probably due to differences in soil nutrient contents and soil moisture conditions between study regions, which affected plant species diversity and the presence of perennial species. Our results indicate more long-lived roots or internal redistribution of C in perennial species and suggest linkages between fine root C age and management in grasslands. These findings improve our ability to predict and model belowground C fluxes across broader spatial scales.

scholarly journals Responses of Fine Root Functional Traits to Soil Nutrient Limitations in a Karst Ecosystem of Southwest China

Forests ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fujing Pan ◽  
Yueming Liang ◽  
Kelin Wang ◽  
Wei Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Functional Traits ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Specific Root Length ◽  
Root Tips ◽  
Shrub Species ◽  
Karst Ecosystems ◽  
Root Functional Traits

Soil nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) shortages limit the growth of shrubs, and P shortage limit the growth of trees in karst ecosystems. Changes in fine root functional traits are the important strategies for plants to respond to such nutrient shortages. However, such responses in karst ecosystems are poorly known. To determine the responses of fine root functional traits to soil N and P changes and define their resource-use strategies in the ecosystem, we tested the specific root length (SRL), root tips over the root biomass (RT/RB), and N concentration (Nroot) in the fine roots of four plant species (two shrubs (Alchornea trewioides and Ligustrum sinense) and two trees (Celtis biondii and Pteroceltis tatarinowii)) during the dry (January) and the wet (July) season. The results showed that the SRL, RT/RB, and Nroot in the fine roots of shrub species were lower than those of tree species, and the three parameters were higher in the wet season than in the dry season. Linear regression models revealed that the SRL, RT/RB, and Nroot of overall species increased with increasing soil N and P concentrations and availabilities, and were positively correlated with increasing rhizosphere soil oxalic acid, microbial biomass carbon (C), and the activities of hydrolytic enzymes. In addition, the individual plant species had unique patterns of the three fine root traits that resulted affected by the change of soil nutrients and biochemistry. Thus, the specific root length, root tips over the root biomass, and N concentrations of fine roots were species-specific, affected by seasonal change, and correlated with soil nutrients and biochemistry. Our findings suggests that fine root functional traits increase the ability of plant species to tolerate nutrient shortage in karst ecosystems, and possibly indicated that a P-exploitative strategy in tree species and an N-conservative strategy in shrub species were exhibited.

Influence of Pruning and Irrigation on Root Longevity of `Concord' Vines

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 511a-511
Author(s):  
L.H. Comas ◽  
D.M. Eissenstat ◽  
A.N. Lakso ◽  
R. Dunst
Keyword(s):  
Fine Roots ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Root Production ◽  
Root Dynamics ◽  
Supplemental Irrigation ◽  
Root Longevity ◽  
Root Lifespan ◽  
Median Lifespan

Improved cultural practices in grape require a better understanding of root growth and physiology. Seasonal root dynamics were examined in mature `Concord' vines with balanced or minimal-pruning, and with or without supplemental irrigation in Fredonia, N.Y. Fine roots were continuously produced during the growing season starting in mid-June around time of bloom. Roots began to die in September at verasion. Minimal-pruned vines produced more roots than balanced-pruned vines, with the minimal-pruned/unirrigated vines producing the most roots. Irrigation and pruning delayed fine root production at the beginning of the growing season. Peak fine root flush was 16 June to 21 July 1997 for the minimal-pruned/unirrigated treatment, while peak flush was 7 July to 2 Sept. 1997 for balanced-pruned/irrigated treatment. In minimal-pruned vines, many roots were observed down to depths of 120 cm. In contrast, balanced-pruned vines had very few fine roots deeper than 40 cm. From initial observations, median lifespan of fine roots was 5 to 9.5 weeks, depending on treatment and depth in soil. Fine roots lived longer in the top 15-cm than in the 16- to 30-cm layer of soil in all treatments. Both minimal pruning and irrigation increased root lifespan. Fine roots had the shortest lifespan in the balanced-pruned/unirrigated treatment and the longest lifespan in the minimal-pruned/irrigated treatment.

scholarly journals Observations on early fungal infections with relevance for replant disease in fine roots of the rose rootstock Rosa corymbifera 'Laxa'

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Grunewaldt-Stöcker ◽  
C. Popp ◽  
A. Baumann ◽  
S. Fricke ◽  
M. Menssen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fine Roots ◽  
Woody Plant ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Replant Disease ◽  
Pot Trials ◽  
Worldwide Phenomenon ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Rose

AbstractReplant disease is a worldwide phenomenon affecting various woody plant genera and species, especially within the Rosaceae. Compared to decades of intensive studies regarding replant disease of apple (ARD), the replant disease of roses (RRD) has hardly been investigated. The etiology of RRD is also still unclear and a remedy desperately needed. In greenhouse pot trials with seedlings of the RRD-sensitive rootstock Rosa corymbifera ‘Laxa’ cultured in replant disease affected soils from two different locations, early RRD symptom development was studied in fine roots. In microscopic analyses we found similarities to ARD symptoms with regards to structural damages, impairment in the root hair status, and necroses and blackening in the cortex tissue. Examinations of both whole mounts and thin sections of fine root segments revealed frequent conspicuous fungal infections in association with the cellular disorders. Particularly striking were fungal intracellular structures with pathogenic characteristics that are described for the first time. Isolated fungi from these tissue areas were identified by means of ITS primers, and many of them were members of the Nectriaceae. In a next step, 35 of these isolates were subjected to a multi-locus sequence analysis and the results revealed that several genera and species were involved in the development of RRD within a single rose plant. Inoculations with selected single isolates (Rugonectria rugulosa and Ilyonectria robusta) in a Perlite assay confirmed their pathogenic relationship to early necrotic host plant reactions, and symptoms were similar to those exhibited in ARD.

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