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 Relationship between Very Fine Root Distribution and Soil Water Content in Pre- and Post-Harvest Areas of Two Coniferous Tree Species

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1227
Author(s):  
Moein Farahnak ◽  
Keiji Mitsuyasu ◽  
Takuo Hishi ◽  
Ayumi Katayama ◽  
Masaaki Chiwa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Root System ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Tree Cutting ◽  
Coniferous Tree Species

Tree root system development alters forest soil properties, and differences in root diameter frequency and root length per soil volume reflect differences in root system function. In this study, the relationship between vertical distribution of very fine root and soil water content was investigated in intact tree and cut tree areas. The vertical distribution of root density with different diameter classes (very fine <0.5 mm and fine 0.5–2.0 mm) and soil water content were examined along a slope with two coniferous tree species, Cryptomeria japonica (L.f.) D. Don and Chamaecyparis obtusa (Siebold et Zucc.) Endl. The root biomass and length density of very fine roots at soil depth of 0–5 cm were higher in the Ch. obtusa intact tree plot than in the Cr. japonica intact plot. Tree cutting caused a reduction in the biomass and length of very fine roots at 0–5 cm soil depth, and an increment in soil water content at 5–30 cm soil depth of the Ch. obtusa cut tree plot one year after cutting. However, very fine root density of the Cr. japonica intact tree plot was quite low and the soil water content in post-harvest areas did not change. The increase in soil water content at 5–30 cm soil depth of the Ch. obtusa cut tree plot could be caused by the decrease in very fine roots at 0–5 cm soil depth. These results suggest that the distribution of soil water content was changed after tree cutting of Ch. obtusa by the channels generated by the decay of very fine roots. It was also shown that differences in root system characteristics among different tree species affect soil water properties after cutting.

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.

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 Reverse conductivity for water transport and related anatomy in fine roots of six temperate tree species – a potential limitation for hydraulic redistribution

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Hesse ◽  
Thorsten Grams ◽  
Benjamin Hafner
Keyword(s):  
Water Potential ◽  
Root System ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Reverse Flow ◽  
Root Anatomy ◽  
Hydraulic Redistribution ◽  
Acer Pseudoplatanus ◽  
Secondary Roots

Hydraulic redistribution (HR), the passive reallocation of water along plant structures following a water potential gradient, is an important mechanism for plant survival under drought. For example, trees with deeper roots reallocate water from deeper moist to shallower, drier soil layers sustaining their upper fine root system. The relevance of HR for temperate forest ecosystems is hardly investigated. Both environmental and tree internal factors limiting the capacity for HR, such as low water potential gradients or root anatomy, respectively, are not well understood. Here we investigate fine root anatomy and related capacity for reverse flow of water of six temperate tree species, i.e. Acer pseudoplatanus, Castanea sativa, Fagus sylvatica, Picea abies, Pseudotsuga menziesii and Quercus robur both in forward and reverse flow direction. Additionally, anatomy of primary and secondary roots was analyzed, to test the hypotheses that root anatomy is similar in primary and secondary roots (H1) and conductivity for forward and reverse flow of water in fine roots is identical (H2). In contrast to the two gymnosperm species, most anatomical parameters, e.g. hydraulic conduit diameter and conduit density, were distinctly different between primary and secondary roots in the angiosperms. Therefore, H1 was rejected for angiosperm trees. The reverse flow of water in fine roots was reduced by approx. 40 % compared to the forward flow in angiosperms, while there was no difference in the gymnosperms. Thus, H2 was rejected for angiosperms. This reduction may be caused by vessel structure (e.g. tapering or secondary thickening elements), or perforation plate and pit architecture (e.g. width of aperture opening). Because of the reduced conductivity of reverse water flow, the ability of angiosperm trees to redistribute water along their root system might be lower than expected.

scholarly journals Mechanical Characteristics of the Fine Roots of Two Broadleaved Tree Species from the Temperate Caspian Hyrcanian Ecoregion

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azade Deljouei ◽  
Ehsan Abdi ◽  
Massimiliano Schwarz ◽  
Baris Majnounian ◽  
Hormoz Sohrabi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Tensile Force ◽  
Least Square Method ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Slope Position ◽  
Mechanical Resistance ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Broadleaved Tree Species ◽  
Root Size

In view of the important role played by roots against shallow landslides, root tensile force was evaluated for two widespread temperate tree species within the Caspian Hyrcanian Ecoregion, i.e., Fagus orientalis L. and Carpinus betulus L. Fine roots (0.02 to 7.99 mm) were collected from five trees of each species at three different elevations (400, 950, and 1350 m a.s.l.), across three diameter at breast height (DBH) classes (small = 7.5–32.5 cm, medium = 32.6–57.5 cm, and large =57.6–82.5 cm), and at two slope positions relative to the tree stem (up- and down-slope). In the laboratory, maximum tensile force (N) required to break the root was determined for 2016 roots (56 roots per each of two species x three sites x three DBH classes x two slope positions). ANCOVA was used to test the effects of slope position, DBH, and study site on root tensile force. To obtain the power-law regression coefficients, a nonlinear least square method was used. We found that: 1) root tensile force strongly depends on root size, 2) F. orientalis roots are stronger than C. betulus ones in the large DBH class, although they are weaker in the medium and small DBH classes, 3) root mechanical resistance is higher upslope than downslope, 4) roots of the trees with larger DBH were the most resistant roots in tension in compare with roots of the medium or small DBH classes, and 5) the root tensile force for both species is notably different from one site to another site. Overall, our findings provide a fundamental contribution to the quantification of the protective effects of forests in the temperate region.

Soil Organisms Influence Fine Root Lifespan in Peach

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 541d-541
Author(s):  
Christina Wells ◽  
David Eissenstat ◽  
Michael Glenn
Keyword(s):  
Fine Roots ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Root Diameter ◽  
Root Turnover ◽  
Camera System ◽  
Fine Root Turnover ◽  
Root Lifespan ◽  
Pesticide Treatment ◽  
Root Death

Damage to the root system by soil insects and pathogenic fungi is difficult to assess and often goes unnoticed until a tree exhibits significant decline above ground. In this study, below-ground imaging technology was used to quantify fine root turnover in peach and to determine what percentage of root death may be caused by soil pests in an apparently healthy orchard. The study was conducted on six 15-year-old `Loring' peach trees on Halford rootstock in Kearneysville, W.Va. Five root observation tubes were placed in the soil beneath each tree in Apr. 1996. Each tube was randomly assigned one of five soil drench treatments: Lorsban 4E insecticide, Ridomil 2E fungicide, a combination of both pesticides, 1/10th strength Hoagland's solution, or water. A portable VCR and camera system were used to record images of fine roots (<1 mm diameter) growing along the tubes at biweekly intervals from May 1996 through Nov. 1997. The images were used to construct a database of life history information for more than 1500 individual roots. Peach root survivorship was influenced by root diameter and pesticide treatment. Fine roots on tubes receiving either of the pesticide treatments had higher survivorship than roots on control tubes for all diameter classes. The effect was most pronounced for white roots <0.5 mm in diameter, whose survivorship during the growing season was increased by 45% when both insecticide and fungicide were applied. These results suggest that a substantial fraction of fine root death may be caused by interactions with the soil fauna.

Effects of precipitation change on fine root morphology and dynamics at a global scale: a meta-analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Zhang ◽  
Yajuan Xing ◽  
Guoyong Yan ◽  
Shijie Han ◽  
Qinggui Wang
Keyword(s):  
Root Morphology ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Root Diameter ◽  
Precipitation Change ◽  
Deep Soil ◽  
Fine Root Morphology ◽  
Precipitation Changes ◽  
Experiment Duration

We compiled data from 495 observations and 103 papers and carried out a meta-analysis of the responses of fine root biomass, production, decomposition, and morphology to precipitation increases and decreases. In addition, we evaluated the effects of plant life form, soil depth, and experiment duration on the responses of fine roots to precipitation changes. Our results confirmed that decreased precipitation limited fine root diameter and accelerated turnover. Increased precipitation stimulated fine root elongation and enhanced the fine root accumulation. The responses of fine roots to precipitation changes varied among plants of different life forms. Tree fine root production and decomposition and non-tree fine root diameter varied most strongly under decreased precipitation. Specific root length of non-tree fine roots was much higher than that of tree fine roots under increased precipitation. Decreased precipitation limited the growth of fine roots in 20–40 cm deep soil, whereas increased precipitation promoted the growth of fine roots in both shallow and deep soil layers. The responses of fine roots to decreased precipitation were affected by experiment duration. Results filled the gap of evaluation data on the effect of precipitation change on fine root morphology and dynamics, which are useful for better predicting the C cycle under precipitation change.

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