Above- and below-ground biomass and fine roots of 4-year-old hybrids of Populustrichocarpa × Populusdeltoides and parental species in short-rotation culture

1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 1186-1192 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.E. Heilman ◽  
G. Ekuan ◽  
D. Fogle
Keyword(s):  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Alluvial Soil ◽  
Specific Root Length ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Sand Content ◽  
Coarse Roots ◽  
Short Rotation ◽  
Root Shoot Ratio

Mean annual aboveground leafless biomass production averaged 14.8, 11.4, and 24.3 Mg•ha−1•year−1 at harvest at 4 years of age for Populustrichocarpa Torr. & Gray, Populusdeltoides Marsh., and P. trichocarpa × P. deltoides hybrids, respectively. These trees were planted at 1 × 1 m spacing on a medium- to coarse-textured alluvial soil in western Washington. Branches accounted for 13.2–20.3% of the aboveground weight. Total weight of stumps and coarse roots at harvest varied from 12.3 to 29.6 Mg•ha−1, or 22–33% of the weight of aboveground leafless biomass. Small and fine roots sampled to a depth of 3.17 m using soil cores amounted to an additional 6.6–11 Mg•ha−1 of roots. Stumps and all roots as a ratio of aboveground biomass (root/shoot ratio) ranged from 0.34 to 0.42, with hybrids accounting for the entire range of values present. Mass of the fine roots (less than 0.5 mm diameter) ranged from 4.0 to 6.5 Mg•ha−1, or an average of 6.8% of the aboveground biomass. The smallest of the fine roots measured 0.06 mm in diameter. Specific root length of fine roots averaged 50.7 m•g−1 for P. deltoides, 42 m•g−1 for P. trichocarpa, and 30–47 m•g−1 for hybrids. Total length of fine roots to a depth of 3.17 m ranged from 179 000 to 284 000 km•ha−1. Density of fine roots by length per unit soil volume was greatest at the surface with the range of means for clones in the top 0.18 m being 2.4–6.3 cm•cm−3; at 1.0–3.17 m soil depth, density was 0.02–0.6 cm•cm−3. For two of the hybrid clones, the density of fine roots at the soil surface was half that of the other clones. The distribution of fine roots in the stratified soil profile was correlated with soil depth, Kjeldahl N, and organic matter, with the latter two parameters showing the highest coefficients of determination (0.73 and 0.71, respectively). In the more sandy but layered subsoil (0.36–3.17 m depth), soil depth, Kjeldahl N, and sand content were most strongly correlated with fine root density, with depth and sand content giving the highest coefficients of determination (0.32 and 0.31, respectively). Roots in sandy subsoil were coarser and much less branched than in adjacent finer textured layers.

scholarly journals Functional Trait Plasticity but Not Coordination Differs in Absorptive and Transport Fine Roots in Response to Soil Depth

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 42
Author(s):  
Yan Wang ◽  
Zhongyue Li ◽  
Zhengquan Wang ◽  
Jiacun Gu
Keyword(s):  
Fine Roots ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Specific Root Length ◽  
Root Traits ◽  
Functional Trait ◽  
Resource Exploitation ◽  
Soil Layers ◽  
Root Branching ◽  
Trait Plasticity

Absorptive and transport fine roots (diameter ≤ 2 mm) differ greatly in anatomy, morphology, and physiology, as well as their responses to environmental changes. However, it is still not well understood how their functional traits and biomass repartition respond to resource variability associated with increasing soil depth. Herein, we sampled the first five order roots of three hardwoods, i.e., Juglans mandshurica Maxim., Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr., and Phellodendron amurense Rupr. at surface (0–10 cm) and subsurface (20–30 cm) soil layers, respectively, and measured root biomass, anatomy, morphology, chemistry, and physiology at the branch-order level. Based on the anatomical characteristics, absorptive and transport fine roots were identified within each order, and their amounts and functional trait plasticity to soil depth were examined. The results showed that across soil layers, the first three order roots were mainly absorptive roots, while the fourth- and fifth-order roots were transport ones. From surface to subsurface soil layers, both the number and biomass proportion of absorptive fine roots decreased but those of transport fine roots increased. Transport fine root traits were more plastic to soil depth than absorptive ones, especially for the conduit-related traits. Absorptive fine roots in surface soil generally had stronger potential for resource acquisition than those in deeper soil, as indicated by their longer specific root length and greater root branching density. In comparison, transport fine roots in deeper soil were generally enhanced in their transportation function, with wider stele and higher hydraulic conductivity. Our findings suggest that functional specialization via multi-trait plasticity and coordination in both absorptive and transport fine roots along the soil depth would benefit the efficient soil resource exploitation of trees in forest ecosystems.

Total belowground carbon and nitrogen partitioning of mature black spruce displaying genetic × soil moisture interaction in growth

2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (11) ◽  
pp. 1939-1952 ◽  
Author(s):  
John E. Major ◽  
Kurt H. Johnsen ◽  
Debby C. Barsi ◽  
Moira Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Fine Roots ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
C Sequestration ◽  
Nitrogen Partitioning ◽  
Coarse Roots ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Coarse Root ◽  
C And N

Total belowground biomass, soil C, and N mass were measured in plots of 32-year-old black spruce ( Picea mariana (Mill.) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb.) from four full-sib families studied previously for drought tolerance and differential productivity on a dry and a wet site. Stump root biomass was greater on the wet than on the dry site; however, combined fine and coarse root biomass was greater on the dry than on the wet site, resulting in no site root biomass differences. There were no site differences in root distribution by soil depth. Drought-tolerant families had greater stump root biomass and allocated relatively less to combined coarse and fine roots than drought-intolerant families. Fine roots (<2 mm) made up 10.9% and 50.2% of the belowground C and N biomass. Through 50 cm soil depth, mean total belowground C mass was 187.2 Mg·ha–1, of which 8.9%, 3.4%, 0.7%, and 87.0% were from the stump root, combined fine and coarse roots, necromass, and soil, respectively. Here, we show that belowground C sequestration generally mirrors (mostly from stump roots) aboveground growth, and thus, trends in genetic and genetic × environment productivity effects result in similar effects on belowground C sequestration. Thus, tree improvement may well be an important avenue to help stem increases in atmospheric CO2.

scholarly journals Copper Hydroxide Affects Root Distribution of Ilex cassine in Plastic Containers

1995 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-49
Author(s):  
E.F. Gilman ◽  
R.J. Beeson
Keyword(s):  
Fine Roots ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Root Weight ◽  
Copper Hydroxide ◽  
Coarse Roots ◽  
Plastic Container ◽  
Root Shoot Ratio ◽  
Cupric Hydroxide ◽  
Plastic Containers

The root : shoot ratio for Ilex cassine L. grown 7 months in copper-treated containers was less than in nontreated containers. There was less dry weight for roots <5 mm in diameter in copper-treated containers than in nontreated containers in the outer 1 cm of the rootball. Dry weight of roots >5 mm in diameter within the rootball were not affected by copper hydroxide treatment. Coating the interior of a plastic container with cupric hydroxide eliminated coarse roots (> 5 mm in diameter) and significantly reduced fine root weight from the outer 1 cm of the rootball. Fine roots inside the rootball did not replace fine roots lacking in the outer 1 cm.

scholarly journals The Spatial Distribution of Root System in M9 Rootstock Is Affected by Apple Cultivar and Tree Age

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 160
Author(s):  
Fadil Thomaj ◽  
Hafuz Domi ◽  
Glenda Sallaku ◽  
Astrit Balliu
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Root System ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Old French ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Cumulative Number ◽  
Coarse Roots ◽  
Apple Cultivars ◽  
Late Maturity

The aim of study was to evaluate how different apple cultivars affect root morphology and spatial distribution of rootstock. The experiment was conducted with three different cultivars; ‘Golden delicious’, ‘Gala’ and ‘Starking’ grafted on M9 dwarfing rootstock. Nine and fourteen years old, French vertical axe trained trees were included in the experiment. The trench profile method was chosen to study the morphology of root system and the counted root intersects were divided into three classes; fine roots (<2mm), medium-sized roots (2-5 mm), and coarse roots (>5 mm). To analyze the spatial distribution of root system, the respective cumulative number of fine roots at three successive distances from the base of tree trunk and the cumulative number of fine roots in three successive distances from soil surface were expressed as percentage versus the total fine roots. Significant effects of scion on the total number of fine roots, and as well, on their side and in depth distribution were found. The pattern of root distribution is changing over years, tending to shift the bulk of absorptive roots further from the tank and deeper into the soil. This tendency was more visible to high yielding and late maturity cultivars.

LYSIMETERS WITH RAINFALL AND SOIL WATER CONTROL

1971 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. J. KRISTENSEN ◽  
H. C. ASLYNG
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture Content ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Irrigation System ◽  
Drainage System ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Trickle Irrigation ◽  
Water Control ◽  
Radiation Equipment ◽  
Different Depths ◽  
Growth Experiments

The lysimeter installation described comprises 36 concrete tanks each with a soil surface of 4 m2. The installation is useful for plant growth experiments under natural conditions involving different treatment combined with various controlled water supplies. The ground installation is at least 20 cm below the soil surface and tillage can be done with field implements. The lysimeter tanks are provided with a drainage system which can drain the soil at the bottom (100 cm depth) to a tension of up to 100 cm. A constant ground-water table at less than 100 cm soil depth can also be maintained. The soil moisture content at different depths is determined from an underground tunnel by use of gamma radiation equipment in metal tubes horizontally installed in the soil. Rainfall is prevented by a movable glass roof automatically operated and controlled by a special rain sensor. Water is applied to the soil surface with a special trickle irrigation system consisting of a set of plastic tubes for each lysimeter tank and controlled from the tunnel. Fertilizers in controlled amount can be applied with the irrigation water.

scholarly journals Willows Used for Phytoremediation Increased Organic Contaminant Concentrations in Soil Surface

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 2979
Author(s):  
Maxime Fortin Faubert ◽  
Dominic Desjardins ◽  
Mohamed Hijri ◽  
Michel Labrecque
Keyword(s):  
Soil Surface ◽  
Field Work ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Soil Hydrology ◽  
Intensive Culture ◽  
Shrub Species ◽  
Short Rotation ◽  
Pollutant Concentrations ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
Made In

The Salix genus includes shrub species that are widely used in phytoremediation and various other phytotechnologies due to their advantageous characteristics, such as a high evapotranspiration (ET) rate, in particular when cultivated in short rotation intensive culture (SRIC). Observations made in past field studies suggest that ET and its impact on soil hydrology can also lead to increases in soil pollutant concentrations near shrubs. To investigate this, sections of a mature willow plantation (seven years old) were cut to eliminate transpiration (Cut treatment). Soil concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), aliphatic compounds C10–C50, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and five trace elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn) were compared between the Cut and the uncut plots (Salix miyabeana ‘SX61’). Over 24 months, the results clearly show that removal of the willow shrubs limited the contaminants’ increase in the soil surface, as observed for C10–C50 and of 10 PAHs under the Salix treatment. This finding strongly reinforces a hypothesis that SRIC of willows may facilitate the migration of contaminants towards their roots, thus increasing their concentration in the surrounding soil. Such a “pumping effect” in a high-density willow crop is a prominent characteristic specific to field studies that can lead to counterintuitive results. Although apparent increases of contaminant concentrations contradict the purification benefits usually pursued in phytoremediation, the possibility of active phytoextraction and rhizodegradation is not excluded. Moreover, increases of pollutant concentrations under shrubs following migration suggest that decreases would consequently occur at the source points. Some reflections on interpreting field work results are provided.

scholarly journals Calcium Biogeochemical Cycle in a Typical Karst Forest: Evidence from Calcium Isotope Compositions

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 666
Author(s):  
Guilin Han ◽  
Anton Eisenhauer ◽  
Jie Zeng ◽  
Man Liu
Keyword(s):  
Soil Depth ◽  
Isotope Composition ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Natural Soil ◽  
Calcium Isotope ◽  
Karst Forest ◽  
Content Ratio ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Preferential Uptake ◽  
Vital Factor

In order to better constrain calcium cycling in natural soil and in soil used for agriculture, we present the δ44/40Ca values measured in rainwater, groundwater, plants, soil, and bedrock samples from a representative karst forest in SW China. The δ44/40Ca values are found to differ by ≈3.0‰ in the karst forest ecosystem. The Ca isotope compositions and Ca contents of groundwater, rainwater, and bedrock suggest that the Ca of groundwater primarily originates from rainwater and bedrock. The δ44/40Ca values of plants are lower than that of soils, indicating the preferential uptake of light Ca isotopes by plants. The distribution of δ44/40Ca values in the soil profiles (increasing with soil depth) suggests that the recycling of crop-litter abundant with lighter Ca isotope has potential effects on soil Ca isotope composition. The soil Mg/Ca content ratio probably reflects the preferential plant uptake of Ca over Mg and the difference in soil maturity. Light Ca isotopes are more abundant in mature soils than nutrient-depleted soils. The relative abundance in the light Ca isotope (40Ca) is in the following order: farmland > burnt grassland > forests > grassland > shrubland. Our results further indicate that biological fractionation in a soil–plant system is a vital factor for Ca–geochemical transformations in soil surface systems.

Seasonal cycles in germination and seedling emergence of summer and winter populations of catchweed bedstraw (Galium aparine) and wild mustard (Brassica kaber)

Weed Science ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Husrev Mennan ◽  
Mathieu Ngouajio
Keyword(s):  
Soil Depth ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Seedling Emergence ◽  
Seed Mass ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Burial Depth ◽  
Galium Aparine ◽  
Wild Mustard ◽  
Seed Population ◽  
Brassica Kaber

Catchweed bedstraw and wild mustard each produce two populations per year: a winter population (WP) in June, and a summer population (SP) in September. Experiments were conducted to determine whether the WP and SP differ in seed mass and seasonal germination. Seeds of both weeds were buried at 0, 5, 10, and 20 cm in cultivated fields, and retrieved at monthly intervals for 24 mo for germination tests in the laboratory. Additionally, seedling emergence from seeds buried at 0, 5, and 10 cm in the field was evaluated for 1 yr. Seeds from the WP were heavier than those from the SP for both species. Germination of exhumed seeds was affected by burial depth and by seed population. It was highest for seeds that remained on the soil surface and declined with increasing depth of burial. The WP of catchweed bedstraw produced two germination peaks per year, whereas the SP and all populations of wild mustard had only one peak. The WP of both weeds germinated earlier than the SP. Seedling emergence for both species in the field was greater for the WP than for the SP. Increasing soil depth reduced seedling emergence of both the WP and SP of wild mustard and affected only the WP of catchweed bedstraw. We conclude that the WP and SP of catchweed bedstraw and wild mustard seeds used in this study differed in seed mass, seasonal germination, and seedling emergence. The ability of a WP to produce large seeds that germinate early and have two germination peaks per year could make these populations a serious problem in cropping systems.

Alpine and Subalpine Wetland Vegetation on the Bogong High Plains, South-eastern Australia

1999 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 165 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.-H. Wahren ◽  
R. J. Williams ◽  
W. A. Papst
Keyword(s):  
Soil Depth ◽  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Wetland Vegetation ◽  
High Plains ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Drainage Channels ◽  
Floristic Variation ◽  
Steep Slopes

The botanical composition and structure of wetland vegetation from seven sites in the alpine and subalpine tracts of the Bogong High Plains was sampled in 1995 and 1996. Sites were in the vicinity of Mts Nelse, Cope and Fainter. Sampling was based on contiguous 1-m2 quadrats along transects 20−70 m long across each wetland. Samples were ordinated using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). Floristic variation was assessed both within selected individual wetlands, and between wetlands from different regions. The relationship between the ordinations and environmental variables such as soil surface texture, soil depth and the amount of bare ground was tested by fitting vectors. Three dominant vegetation assemblages were identified. Closed heath, of hygrophyllous, scleromorphic shrubs such as Richea continentis and Baeckea gunniana, the rush Empodisma minus and the moss Sphagnum cristatum occurred on the deeper peats. Low open heath of Epacris glacialis and Danthonia nivicola occurred on shallow peats. Herbfields of Caltha introloba and Oreobolus pumilio occurred on stony pavements in two different physiographic situations&horbar;on relatively steep slopes (10−20°) at the head of wetlands, and on flat ground (slope < 2°), below the head of wetlands. The pavements on the steeper sites appeared to be associated with periglacial features such as solifluction lobes and terraces. Those on the flatter ground appeared to have been derived more recently. Wetlands in the Mt Cope region consisted of closed heath, low open heath and pavement herbfield in various proportions. Wetlands on Mt Fainter, which are subject to heavy trampling by cattle, were in a degraded condition, with a low cover of major hygrophyllous mosses and shrubs, and a high cover of introduced species. Long-ungrazed wetlands in a 50-year exclosure at Rocky Valley had high cover of closed heath, no pavements, numerous ponds and virtually no entrenched drainage channels or exposed peat. The Caltha herbfields are significant features nationally, both floristically and geomorphologically. Alpine and subalpine wetlands have been listed under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988, and continued grazing by cattle is not compatible with the conservation objectives for this alpine vegetation type.

scholarly journals Trace Metal Distribution and Mobility in Soils after Silvicultural Thinning and Burning

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 83
Author(s):  
Ngowari Jaja ◽  
Monday Mbila ◽  
Yong Wang
Keyword(s):  
Trace Metal ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Forest Health ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Parent Material ◽  
Design Experiment ◽  
Randomized Block Design

Silvicultural thinning and burning are common management practices that are widely used to address ecosystem problems such as tree stocking and general forest health. However, high-severity fire has variable effects on soils, resulting in damages which are directly or indirectly reflected on the trace metal chemistry of the soil. This study was conducted to evaluate the trace metal variation at the Bankhead National Forest in Northern Alabama following the silvicultural thinning and burning. The experimental site had treatments consisting of two burning patterns and three levels of thinning as part of an overall treatment of three burning patterns and three levels of thinning applied to nine treatment plots to fit a completely randomized block design experiment. Four treatments sites were used for this study and samples were collected from soil profile pits excavated at representative plots within each treatment. The samples were analyzed for trace metals-As, Cu, Ni, Zn and Pb-using Perkin Elmer 2100 ICP-OES. Post treatment samples indicated that the trace metal concentrations generally decreased with soil depth. Copper, Ni, and Zn at the Pre-burn site gradually increased with depth to a maximum concentration at about 50 cm below the soil surface. Arsenic in the surface horizons increased by 156% in the burn-only sites, 54% in the thin-only treatment, 30% for the burn and thin treatments. Such differences were unlikely due to differences in the geochemistry of the parent material, but likely due to anthropogenic activities and possibly the forest management practices in question.

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