Estimating Fine Root Production from Ingrowth Cores and Decomposed Roots in a Bornean Tropical Rainforest

Research highlights: Estimates of fine root production using ingrowth cores are strongly influenced by decomposed roots in the cores during the incubation period and should be accounted for when calculating fine root production (FRP). Background and Objectives: The ingrowth core method is often used to estimate fine root production; however, decomposed roots are often overlooked in estimates of FRP. Uncertainty remains on how long ingrowth cores should be installed and how FRP should be calculated in tropical forests. Here, we aimed to estimate FRP by taking decomposed fine roots into consideration. Specifically, we compared FRP estimates at different sampling intervals and using different calculation methods in a tropical rainforest in Borneo. Materials and Methods: Ingrowth cores were installed with root litter bags and collected after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. FRP was estimated based on (1) the difference in biomass at different sampling times (differential method) and (2) sampled biomass at just one sampling time (simple method). Results: Using the differential method, FRP was estimated at 447.4 ± 67.4 g m−2 year−1 after 12 months, with decomposed fine roots accounting for 25% of FRP. Using the simple method, FRP was slightly higher than that in the differential method after 12 months (516.3 ± 45.0 g m−2 year−1). FRP estimates for both calculation methods using data obtained in the first half of the year were much higher than those using data after 12-months of installation, because of the rapid increase in fine root biomass and necromass after installation. Conclusions: Therefore, FRP estimates vary with the timing of sampling, calculation method and presence of decomposed roots. Overall, the ratio of net primary production (NPP) of fine roots to total NPP in this study was higher than that previously reported in the Neotropics, indicating high belowground carbon allocation in this forest.

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Fine-root Production and Turnover in a Willow Plantation Estimated by Different Calculation Methods

Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1080/02827589908540817 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 14 (6) ◽

pp. 526-537 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

Rose-Marie Rytter

Keyword(s):

Fine Root ◽

Root Production ◽

Fine Root Production ◽

Calculation Methods

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CARBON AND NUTRIENT CYCLING THROUGH FINE ROOTS IN RUBBER (HEVEA BRASILIENSIS) PLANTATIONS IN INDIA

Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0014479713000203 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 49 (4) ◽

pp. 556-573 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

M. D. JESSY ◽

P. PRASANNAKUMARI ◽

JOSHUA ABRAHAM

Keyword(s):

Soil Moisture ◽

Nutrient Cycling ◽

Fine Roots ◽

Fine Root ◽

Nutrient Status ◽

Root Turnover ◽

Root Production ◽

Fine Root Production ◽

Fine Root Turnover ◽

Rubber Plantations

SUMMARYUnderstanding the growth dynamics of fine roots and their contribution to soil organic carbon and nutrient pools is crucial for estimating ecosystem carbon and nutrient cycling and how these are influenced by climate change. Rubber is cultivated in more than 10 million hectare globally and the area under rubber cultivation is fast expanding due to socio-economic reasons, apart from the importance given to this species for eco-restoration of degraded lands. An experiment was conducted to quantify fine root production, fine root turnover and carbon and nutrient cycling through fine roots in rubber plantations with different soil nutrient status and rainfall pattern. Fine root production was estimated by sequential coring and ingrowth core methods. Fine root decomposition was determined by the litter bag technique. Carbon and nutrient contents in fine roots were determined and their turnover was computed. Fine root biomass in the top 0–7.5-cm soil layer showed significant seasonal fluctuation and the fluctuations were particularly wide during the transition period from the dry season to the rainy season. Fine root production estimated by the different methods was significantly higher at the lower fertility site and during the higher soil moisture stress year. Fine root turnover ranged from 1.04 to 2.29 year−1. Root carbon and nutrient status showed seasonal variation and lower status was observed during the rainy season. The annual recycling of C, N, P, K, Ca and Mg through fine roots ranged from 590 to 1758, 30 to 85, 3 to 12, 13 to 31, 11 to 35 and 6 to 13 kg ha−1, respectively. Substantial quantities of carbon and nutrients were recycled annually in rubber plantations through fine roots. When soil moisture and nutrient stress were more severe, fine root production, turnover and carbon and nutrient recycling through fine roots were higher.

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Contributions of fine root production and turnover to the carbon and nitrogen cycling in taiga forests of the Alaskan interior

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x26-148 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 26 (8) ◽

pp. 1326-1336 ◽

Cited By ~ 159

Author(s):

R.W. Ruess ◽

K. Van Cleve ◽

J. Yarie ◽

L.A. Viereck

Keyword(s):

Fine Roots ◽

Fine Root ◽

Organic N ◽

Root Turnover ◽

Root Production ◽

Total Production ◽

Fine Root Production ◽

Litter Fall ◽

Fine Root Turnover ◽

Taiga Forests

Fine root production and turnover were studied in hardwood and coniferous taiga forests using three methods. (1) Using soil cores, fine root production ranged from 1574 ± 76 kg•ha−1•year−1 in the upland white spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss) stand to 4386 ± 322 kg•ha−1•year−1 in the floodplain balsam poplar (Populusbalsamifera L.) stand, accounting for 49% of total production for coniferous stands and 32% of total production for deciduous stands. Fine root turnover rates were higher in floodplain (0.90 ± 0.06 year−1) stands than in upland (0.42 ± 0.10 year−1) stands. Across all sites, the ratio of fine root turnover to litter fall averaged 2.2 for biomass and 2.8 for N. Both values were higher in floodplain stands than in upland stands, and in coniferous stands than in deciduous stands. (2) The C budget method showed that C allocation to fine roots varied from 150 to 425 g C•m−2•year−1 and suggested that soil respiration was more dependent on C derived from roots than from aboveground inputs. The C allocation ratio (C to roots: C to litter fall) was inversely correlated with litter-fall C and varied from 0.3 to 69.5; there was a tendency for higher proportional belowground allocation in coniferous stands than in deciduous stands and the highest levels were at the earliest successional sites. (3) Estimates of apparent N uptake (Nu), N allocation to fine roots, and fine root production based on N budget calculations showed that annual aboveground N increments exceeded Nu estimates at half the sites, indicating that the method failed to account for large amounts of N acquired by plants. This suggests that plant and (or) mycorrhizal uptake of soil organic N may be more significant to ecosystem N cycling than mineral N turnover by the soil microbial biomass.

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Soil Carbon Storage and Its Determinants in Forest Fragments of Differentiated Patch Size

Forests ◽

10.3390/f10111044 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 1044

Author(s):

Chunyu Shen ◽

Lei Ma ◽

Jiaxi Hu ◽

Liyang Huang ◽

Yujuan Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Forest Fragmentation ◽

Carbon Concentration ◽

Fine Roots ◽

Fine Root ◽

Root Production ◽

Forest Fragments ◽

Fine Root Production ◽

Litter Fall ◽

Forest Edges ◽

Biomass Storage

Research Highlights: Soil carbon storage (SOC) decreased due to forest fragmentation through lower proportion of macroaggregate distribution, higher storage of fine roots and litter falls, and lower fine root production rate. Background and Objectives: Globally, forest fragmentation processes lead to enormous losses of SOC in forests. We investigated SOC and its determinants in forest fragments experiencing edge disturbances in south China. Materials and Methods: Soil aggregate characteristics, dynamics of fine roots, and litter fall were studied from forest edges to interiors. Generalized linear mixed models were used to model the contributions of fine root and litter fall dynamics to carbon concentration in aggregates. Results: Large and small macroaggregates had higher proportion of aggregate distribution and contributed more carbon to SOC in all types of plots in the present study. SOC significantly increased from forest edges to interiors due to carbon concentration of these two aggregate types increasing from edges to interiors, while the proportion of different aggregate distributions was similar within each plot. The same trend was found with increasing forest patch size. Fine root biomass storage had the strongest impact on carbon concentration in large macroaggregates and microaggregates, with higher fine root biomass storage associated with lower carbon concentration. In addition, biomass storage and production rates of both fine roots and litter falls decreased from forest interiors to edges. Our results showed that SOC was significantly decreased due to the lower proportion of large and small macroaggregate distribution, and lower fine root production rate in forest fragments. Conclusions: SOC loss due to effects of forest fragmentation and forest edges occurred through decreased concentrations of soil aggregates and fine root production rates. Results from this study will enhance our ability to evaluate soil aggregate, fine root, and leaf litter fall contributions to SOC within forest fragments, and to suggest basic recommendations for the management and conservation of these forest fragments.

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Estimating fine-root production and turnover from biomass and decomposition data: a compartment–flow model

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x87-141 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 17 (8) ◽

pp. 900-908 ◽

Cited By ~ 125

Author(s):

D. Santantonio ◽

J. C. Grace

Keyword(s):

Soil Temperature ◽

Fine Roots ◽

Flow Model ◽

Fine Root ◽

Net Primary Production ◽

Independent Set ◽

Early Summer ◽

Root Decomposition ◽

Root Production ◽

Fine Root Production

Production and replacement of fine roots (diam. < 1 mm) takes 8–67% of net primary production in forests. Most of this production is lost through mortality; little appears as an increment. Traditional biomass methods underestimate fine-root production because estimating production or mortality from changes in standing crop alone does not adequately account for simultaneous and compensating processes of growth, death, and replacement which occur continuously. We propose a compartment–flow model to solve this problem and estimate fine-root production and mortality at a monthly resolution for a pine plantation in New Zealand. The main component of the model is fine-root decomposition, an exponential decay function driven by soil temperature. The model "produces" and "turns over" enough fine roots to maintain observed standing crops of live and dead fine roots given losses through decomposition each month. We have formulated the model as differential and difference equations. Monthly estimates from the model indicated smooth modal patterns. Production and mortality peaked in early spring (September) at about 600 kg•ha−1•month−1 and fell to near zero in summer (January–February). The periodicity of these two processes was out of phase with soil temperature at 10 cm. Decomposition occurred continuously; it peaked in early summer (December) and declined to low levels during winter and was in phase with soil temperature. In a validation of the decomposition portion of the model with an independent set of decomposition data, measured standing crops of dead fine root were not statistically different from predicted values.

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Dwarfing Effect of Apple Rootstocks Is Intimately Associated with Low Number of Fine Roots

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci11579-16 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 52 (4) ◽

pp. 503-512 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Haishan An ◽

Feixiong Luo ◽

Ting Wu ◽

Yi Wang ◽

Xuefeng Xu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Root Length ◽

Fine Roots ◽

Root Architecture ◽

Fine Root ◽

Higher Plants ◽

Root Length Density ◽

Soil Depth ◽

Root Production ◽

Fine Root Production ◽

The Impact

Fine root (≤2 mm in diameter) systems play a pivotal role in water and mineral uptake in higher plants. However, the impact of fine root architecture on tree growth and development is not fully understood, especially in apple trees. Here, we summarize a 6-year-trial study using minirhizotrons to investigate the relationships between fine root production, mortality, and longevity in ‘Red Fuji’ trees grafted on five different rootstocks/interstems. Based on root length density (RLD), fine root production and mortality were markedly lower in ‘Red Fuji’ trees growing on dwarfing M.9 (M.9) and Shao series no. 40 (SH.40) rootstocks than in trees on standard Malus robusta ‘Baleng Crab’ (BC) rootstock. The use of M.9 and SH.40 as interstems led to an extensive reduction in fine root production and mortality in comparison with BC rootstock. Root number density (RND), but not average root length (ARL), showed similar patterns to RLD. About one-half of fine roots in ‘Red Fuji’ tree growing on M.9 were scattered within the top 0–20 cm of topsoil, indicating shallow root system in M.9, whereas in trees on BC, 55.15% of fine roots were distributed between 100- and 150-cm soil depth, indicating a deep root architecture. The addition of interstems did not alter fine root soil-depth distribution. For all rootstocks/interstems, fine roots with a life span of less than 80 days were generated in spring and summer, but fine roots which lived for more than 81 days were produced almost all the year round. In conclusion, lower fine root numbers were associated with the dwarfing effect in dwarfing rootstocks/interstems, but ARL and shallower rooting were not.

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Fine root standing stock and production in young beech and spruce stands

Forestry Journal ◽

10.2478/v10114-011-0023-x ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 59 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Bohdan Konôpka ◽

Jozef Pajtík ◽

Miriam Maľová

Keyword(s):

Fine Roots ◽

Fine Root ◽

Soil Depth ◽

Standing Stock ◽

Maximum Diameter ◽

Root Turnover ◽

Root Production ◽

Fine Root Production ◽

Turnover Rates ◽

Fine Root Turnover

AbstractFine roots (defined by a maximum diameter of 2 mm) and assimilatory organs are the compartments which rotate carbon much faster than any other tree part. We focused on quantification of fine roots in young European beech and Norway spruce trees growing under the same ecological conditions. Standing stock of fine roots was estimated by soil coring during 2009 - 2012. Fine root production was established by the in-growth bag method. Standing stock and productions of fine roots were comparable in both tree species. The quantity of fine root biomass (at a soil depth of 0 -50 cm) varied inter-annually between 6.08 and 7.41 t per ha in the beech and from 5.10 to 6.49 t per ha in the spruce stand. Annual production of fine roots (soil depth of 0 - 30 cm) was between 1.11 and 1.63 t ha-1 in beech and between 0.95 and 1.54 t.ha-1 in spruce. We found that fine root standing stock at the beginning of each growing season was related to climatic conditions in the previous year. Annual fine root production was influenced by the climatic situation of the current year. In general, a maximum standing stock of fine roots as well as a relatively slow fine root turnover is expected in young forest stands. Whereas production of fine roots prevailed over mortality in a favorable year (sufficiency of precipitations and slightly above-average temperatures in 2010), there was a reverse situation in an unfavorable year (drought episodes in 2011). We concluded that although both forest types represented contrasting turnovers of assimilatory organs (once a year and once in 5 years in beech and spruce respectively), fine root turnover rates were very similar (approx. once per four years).

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

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.33.3.511a ◽

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.

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