scholarly journals Intraspecific Fine-Root Trait-Environment Relationships across Interior Douglas-Fir Forests of Western Canada

Plants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camille E. Defrenne ◽  
M. Luke McCormack ◽  
W. Jean Roach ◽  
Shalom D. Addo-Danso ◽  
Suzanne W. Simard
Keyword(s):  
Fine Roots ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Plant Traits ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Root Traits ◽  
Specific Area ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Chemical Traits ◽  
Architectural Traits

Variation in resource acquisition strategies enables plants to adapt to different environments and may partly determine their responses to climate change. However, little is known about how belowground plant traits vary across climate and soil gradients. Focusing on interior Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca) in western Canada, we tested whether fine-root traits relate to the environment at the intraspecific level. We quantified the variation in commonly measured functional root traits (morphological, chemical, and architectural traits) among the first three fine-root orders (i.e., absorptive fine roots) and across biogeographic gradients in climate and soil factors. Moderate but consistent trait-environment linkages occurred across populations of Douglas-fir, despite high levels of within-site variation. Shifts in morphological traits across regions were decoupled from those in chemical traits. Fine roots in colder/drier climates were characterized by a lower tissue density, higher specific area, larger diameter, and lower carbon-to-nitrogen ratio than those in warmer/wetter climates. Our results showed that Douglas-fir fine roots do not rely on adjustments in architectural traits to adapt rooting strategies in different environments. Intraspecific fine-root adjustments at the regional scale do not fit along a single axis of root economic strategy and are concordant with an increase in root acquisitive potential in colder/drier environments.

scholarly journals Shifts in Ectomycorrhizal Fungal Communities and Exploration Types Relate to the Environment and Fine-Root Traits Across Interior Douglas-Fir Forests of Western Canada

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camille E. Defrenne ◽  
Timothy J. Philpott ◽  
Shannon H. A. Guichon ◽  
W. Jean Roach ◽  
Brian J. Pickles ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fine Root ◽  
Root Traits ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Fungal Communities ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Exploration Types

scholarly journals Differences in fine root traits between Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) – A case study in the Kysucké Beskydy Mts

2009 ◽  
Vol 55 (No. 12) ◽  
pp. 556-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Konôpka
Keyword(s):  
Picea Abies ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica ◽  
Seasonal Dynamics ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Root Traits ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Root Turnover ◽  
Mortality Ratio

Interspecific comparisons of the fine root “behaviour” under stressful situations may answer questions related to resistance to changing environmental conditions in the particular tree species. Our study was focused on Norway spruce (<I>Picea abies</I> [L.] Karst.) and European beech (<I>Fagus sylvatica</I> L.) grown in an acidic soil where acidity was caused by past air pollution in the Kysucké Beskydy Mts., North-Western Slovakia. Between April and October 2006, the following fine root traits were studied: biomass and necromass seasonal dynamics, vertical distribution, production, mortality, fine root turnover and production to mortality ratio. Sequential soil coring was repeatedly implemented in April, June, July, September, and October including the soil layers of 0–5, 5–15, 15–25, and 25–35 cm. Results indicated that spruce had a lower standing stock of fine roots than beech, and fine roots of spruce were more superficially distributed than those of beech. Furthermore, we estimated higher seasonal dynamics and also higher turnover of fine roots in spruce than in beech. The production to mortality ratio was higher in beech than in spruce, which was hypothetically explained as the effect of drought episodes that occurred in July and August. The results suggested that the beech root system could resist a physiological stress better than that of spruce. This conclusion was supported by different vertical distributions of fine roots in spruce and beech stands.

scholarly journals Distribution of Fine Roots of Ponderosa Pine and Douglas-Fir in a Central Idaho Forest

2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 202-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Dumm ◽  
Lauren Fins ◽  
Russell T. Graham ◽  
Theresa B. Jain
Keyword(s):  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Root Distribution ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Tree Size ◽  
Soil Horizon ◽  
Soil Horizons ◽  
Fine Root Distribution ◽  
Root Content

Abstract This study describes soil horizon depth and fine root distribution in cores collected at two distances from the boles of Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine trees at a study site in a central Idaho forest. Concentration and content of fine roots extracted from soil cores were compared among species, soil horizons, tree size, and distance from bole. Approximately 80% of litter and humus samples contained no fine roots. The highest fine root content and concentrations of fine roots occurred in deep mineral soil for both species (1.24 g and 2.82 g/l for Douglas-fir and 0.98g and 2.24 g/l for ponderosa pine, respectively). No statistically significant differences were found in fine root content or concentration between species in any of the four soil horizons. Tree size was not a significant factor in fine root distribution in this study. Significant variables were horizon, distance from bole, and interactions among tree size, location of sample, and soil horizon. This study, which was part of a larger US Forest Service study to develop a predictive model of postfire tree mortality, provides baseline information that may be useful in predicting postfire damage to fine roots.

scholarly journals Differential variation of NSCs in root branch orders of Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr. seedlings across different drought intensities and soil substrates

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Ji ◽  
Yue Liu ◽  
Jun Wang ◽  
Zhimin Lu ◽  
Yuchun Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fine Roots ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Starch Content ◽  
Soluble Sugar ◽  
Root Traits ◽  
Drought Intensity ◽  
Branch Order ◽  
Root Branch Order ◽  
Loam Soil

Non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) facilitate plants adapt to drought stress, could characterize trees growth and survival ability and buffer against external disturbances. Previous studies have focused on the distribution and dynamics of NSCs among different plant organs under drought conditions. However, discussion about the NSC levels of fine roots in different root branch order were little, especially the relationship between fine root trait variation and NSCs content. The aim of the study is to shed light into the synergistic variation of fine root traits and NSC content in different root branch order under different drought and soil substrate conditions. 2-year-old Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr. potted seedlings were planted in three different soil substrates (humus, loam and sandy-loam soil) and conducted to four drought intensities (CK, mild drought, moderate drought and severe drought) for two months. With the increase of drought intensity, the biomass of fine roots decreased significantly. Under the same drought intensity, seedlings in sandy-loam soil have higher root biomass, and the coefficient of variation of fifth-order roots (37.4%, 44.5% and 53.0% in humus, loam and sandy loam, respectively) is higher than that of lower-order roots. With the increase of drought intensity, the specific root length (SRL) and average diameter (AD) of all five orders increased and decreased, respectively. The fine roots in humus soil had higher soluble sugar content and lower starch content. Also, the soluble sugar and starch content of fine roots showed decreasing and increasing tendency respectively. Soluble sugar and starch explain the highest degree of total variation of fine root traits, that is 32.0% and 32.1% respectively. With ascending root order, the explanation of the variation of root traits by starch decreased (only 6.8% for fifth-order roots). The response of different root branch order fine root morphological traits of F. mandshurica seedlings to resource fluctuations ensures that plants maintain and constructure the root development by an economical way to obtain more resources.

Nitrogen stress alters root proliferation in Douglas-fir seedlings

1990 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 1524-1529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander L. Friend ◽  
Marvin R. Eide ◽  
Thomas M. Hinckley
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Root System ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Chemical Activity ◽  
Nitrogen Stress ◽  
Root Proliferation ◽  
Whole Plant ◽  
Proliferation Response

The proliferation of roots in soil microenvironments was studied to gain an understanding of how nitrogen (N) stress affects root growth. By placing one major lateral root (<10% of the root system) of a Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) seedling into a small pot (microenvironment) and the remaining roots into a large pot, it was possible to manipulate the growth of a small part of the root system while having only minor effects on the growth of the entire seedling. Nitrogen stress was successfully induced by large-pot treatments and resulted in greatly decreased foliage growth and slightly decreased total fine (<2 mm diam.) root growth. Nitrogen stress had minimal effects on total fine root growth, but large effects on the distribution of growth within the root system. Fine roots grew preferentially in high compared with low N microenvironments, and root proliferation in high N microenvironments was enhanced twofold in N-stressed compared with nonstressed seedlings. The root proliferation response of Douglas-fir seedlings to N stress illustrates a potential means of N-stress compensation. It also implies that root distribution among soil microenvironments may depend not only upon chemical activity of nutrient ions in the rooting environment, but also upon nutrient stress in the whole plant.

scholarly journals The response of fine root morphological and physiological traits to added nitrogen in Schrenk’s spruce (Picea schrenkiana) of the Tianshan mountains, China

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e8194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu Gong ◽  
Jingjing Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Fine Roots ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Root Traits ◽  
Nitrogen Addition ◽  
Tianshan Mountains ◽  
Physiological Traits ◽  
Control Group ◽  
N Addition ◽  
Soil Layers ◽  
Morphological And Physiological Traits

Fine roots are essential for water and nutrient uptake in plants, but little is known about the variation in fine root traits and the underlying mechanisms that drive it. Understanding the responses of fine root function traits to changing environmental conditions and the role of fine root traits as drivers of forest ecosystem processes are critical for informing physiological and ecological theory as well as ecosystem management. We measured morphological and physiological traits of fine roots from six soil layers and three diameter classes in Schrenk’s spruce (Picea shrenkiana) forests of the Tianshan mountains, China. We found significant effects of nitrogen addition on these morphological and physiological traits, which varied by soil layer and root diameter. Specifically, specific root length (SRL) was higher in medium N addition group (N2) than in control group (N0). Specific root area (SRA) was higher in the control group (N0) than fertilized groups (N1, N2 and N3). Root tissue density (RTD) was higher in low N addition group (N1) than in the other group. Root dry matter content had no significant difference among four treatment groups. SRL, SRA, and RTD of fine roots in different diameter classes were all significantly different between high N addition (N3) and the control (N0) groups. The physiological characteristics of fine roots showed that soluble sugar (SS), fine root vitality (FRV), and tissue water content (TWC) in different soil layers were higher in the control group than in the fertilized groups. While soluble protein (SP), malondialdehyde (MDA) and free proline (FP) were lower in the control group (N0) than in the fertilized groups. In addition, SS, FRV, SP, TWC, FP, and MDA in all N addition treatments groups were significantly different from the control group. Fine root morphological traits were closely related to physiological traits, and added nitrogen inputs change these correlations. Our study confirms that nitrogen addition has specific effects on the morphological and physiological traits of fine roots of Schrenk’s spruce, and the effects of N addition vary according to the amount added.

scholarly journals Differential Variation in Non-structural Carbohydrates in Root Branch Orders of Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr. Seedlings Across Different Drought Intensities and Soil Substrates

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Ji ◽  
Yue Liu ◽  
Jun Wang ◽  
Zhimin Lu ◽  
Lijie Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fine Roots ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Root Traits ◽  
Sandy Loam Soil ◽  
Fraxinus Mandshurica ◽  
Drought Intensity ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
Soil Substrates ◽  
Humus Soil

Non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) facilitate plant adaptation to drought stress, characterize tree growth and survival ability, and buffer against external disturbances. Previous studies have focused on the distribution and dynamics of NSCs among different plant organs under drought conditions. However, discussion about the NSC levels of fine roots in different root branch orders is limited, especially the relationship between fine root trait variation and NSC content. The objective of the study was to shed light on the synergistic variation in fine root traits and NSC content in different root branch orders under different drought and soil substrate conditions. The 2-year-old Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr. potted seedlings were planted in three different soil substrates (humus, loam, and sandy–loam soil) and subjected to four drought intensities (CK, mild drought, moderate drought, and severe drought) for 2 months. With increasing drought intensity, the biomass of fine roots decreased significantly. Under the same drought intensity, seedlings in sandy–loam soil had higher root biomass, and the coefficient of variation of 5th-order roots (37.4, 44.5, and 53% in humus, loam, and sandy–loam soil, respectively) was higher than that of lower-order roots. All branch order roots of seedlings in humus soil had the largest specific root length (SRL) and specific root surface area (SRA), in addition to the lowest diameter. With increasing drought intensity, the SRL and average diameter (AD) of all root branch orders increased and decreased, respectively. The fine roots in humus soil had a higher soluble sugar (SS) content and lower starch (ST) content compared to the loam and sandy–loam soil. Additionally, the SS and ST contents of fine roots showed decreasing and increasing tendencies with increasing drought intensities, respectively. SS and ST explained the highest degree of the total variation in fine root traits, which were 32 and 32.1%, respectively. With increasing root order, the explanation of the variation in root traits by ST decreased (only 6.8% for 5th-order roots). The observed response in terms of morphological traits of different fine root branch orders of F. mandshurica seedlings to resource fluctuations ensures the maintenance of a low cost-benefit ratio in the root system development.

scholarly journals Plasticity of Root Traits under Competition for a Nutrient-Rich Patch Depends on Tree Species and Possesses a Large Congruency between Intra- and Interspecific Situations

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 528
Author(s):  
Zana A. Lak ◽  
Hans Sandén ◽  
Mathias Mayer ◽  
Douglas L. Godbold ◽  
Boris Rewald
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Interspecific Competition ◽  
Intraspecific Competition ◽  
Fine Roots ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Extracellular Enzymes ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Root Traits ◽  
Acer Pseudoplatanus ◽  
High Plasticity

Belowground competition is an important structuring force in terrestrial plant communities. Uncertainties remain about the plasticity of functional root traits under competition, especially comparing interspecific vs. intraspecific situations. This study addresses the plasticity of fine root traits of competing Acer pseudoplatanus L. and Fagus sylvatica L. seedlings in nutrient-rich soil patches. Seedlings’ roots were grown in a competition chamber experiment in which root growth (biomass), morphological and architectural fine roots traits, and potential activities of four extracellular enzymes were analyzed. Competition chambers with one, two conspecific, or two allospecific roots were established, and fertilized to create a nutrient ‘hotspot’. Interspecific competition significantly reduced fine root growth in Fagus only, while intraspecific competition had no significant effect on the fine root biomass of either species. Competition reduced root nitrogen concentration and specific root respiration of both species. Potential extracellular enzymatic activities of β-glucosidase (BG) and N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NAG) were lower in ectomycorrhizal Fagus roots competing with Acer. Acer fine roots had greater diameter and tip densities under intraspecific competition. Fagus root traits were generally more plastic than those of Acer, but no differences in trait plasticity were found between competitive situations. Compared to Acer, Fagus roots possessed a greater plasticity of all studied traits but coarse root biomass. However, this high plasticity did not result in directed trait value changes under interspecific competition, but Fagus roots grew less and realized lower N concentrations in comparison to competing Acer roots. The plasticity of root traits of both species was thus found to be highly species- but not competitor-specific. By showing that both con- and allospecific roots had similar effects on target root growth and most trait values, our data sheds light on the paradigm that the intensity of intraspecific competition is greater than those of interspecific competition belowground.

scholarly journals Specific spatio-temporal dynamics of absorptive fine roots in response to neighbor species identity in a mixed beech–spruce forest

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (11) ◽  
pp. 1867-1879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie J Zwetsloot ◽  
Marc Goebel ◽  
Alex Paya ◽  
Thorsten E E Grams ◽  
Taryn L Bauerle
Keyword(s):  
Fine Roots ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Root Traits ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Root Competition ◽  
Root Production ◽  
Mixed Species ◽  
Species Identity ◽  
Spatio Temporal

Abstract Absorptive fine roots are an important driver of soil biogeochemical cycles. Yet, the spatio-temporal dynamics of those roots in the presence of neighboring species remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to analyze shifts in absorptive fine-root traits in monoculture or mixtures of Fagus sylvatica [L.] and Picea abies [L.] Karst. We hypothesized that root competition would be higher under single-species than mixed-species interactions, leading to changes in (i) root survivorship, diameter and respiration and (ii) spatio-temporal patterns of root growth and death. Using minirhizotron methods, we monitored the timing and location of absorptive fine-root growth and death at an experimental forest in southern Germany from 2011 to 2013. We also measured root respiration in the spring and fall seasons of 2012 and 2013. Our findings show that the absorptive fine roots of F. sylvatica had a 50% higher risk of root mortality and higher respiration rates in the single-species compared to mixed-species zones. These results support our hypothesis that root competition is less intense for F. sylvatica in mixture versus monoculture. We were unable to find confirmation for the same hypothesis for P. abies. To analyze spatio-temporal patterns of absorptive fine-root production and mortality, we used a mixed-effects model considering root depth (space) and seasons (time) simultaneously. This analysis showed that F. sylvatica shifts root production towards shallower soil layers in mixed-species stands, besides significant seasonal fluctuations in root production depths for both species. Ultimately, the impact of neighbor species identity on root traits observed in this study has important implications for where, when and how fast root-facilitated carbon cycling takes place in single-species versus mixed-species forests. In addition, our study highlights the need for inclusion of absorptive fine-root spatio-temporal dynamics when examining belowground plant interactions and biogeochemical cycles.

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.

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