黄河三角洲滨海滩涂不同密度柽柳林的根系形态及生长特征

为探讨黄河三角洲滨海滩涂不同密度柽柳根系形态及生长特征,以山东省滨州港附近滨海滩涂的低密度（1100株/hm²）、中密度（4100株/hm²）和高密度（7100株/hm²）柽柳林为研究对象,采用全挖法对不同密度柽柳根系进行挖掘,测定分析柽柳地上生物量、根系生物量、空间分布特征、拓扑结构和连接长度等指标。结果表明：（1）中、高密度下,柽柳对根系生长的投入量更大,以保证对地下资源的吸收利用,根冠比分别为0.59、0.53;而低密度柽柳根冠比为0.44。（2）低、中密度下柽柳根冠生长关系均表现为异速生长,高密度下为等速生长。（3）不同密度柽柳根系生长都以水平分布为主,表现出水平根型特征。中、高密度柽柳根幅及侧根长均小于低密度,低密度柽柳根系水平分布范围最大,可利于增强觅养和固定能力。（4）林分密度与拓扑指数显著相关,低密度柽柳根系拓扑结构趋向于叉状结构（拓扑指数TI=0.62）;中、高密度柽柳拓扑结构趋向于鱼尾形分支（TI=0.86;TI=0.81）。（5）不同密度柽柳根系外部连接长度显著大于内部连接长度,呈现滨海滩涂柽柳根系向外扩张的生长策略。滨海滩涂不同密度柽柳根冠异速生长关系、根系形态及生长特征既有差异性又有相似性,表现出不同的密度适应特征。不同密度柽柳根系均以地表分布、向外扩张为主。低密度柽柳主要通过增加分支,扩大根系生长空间;中、高密度柽柳减少分支,加强对内部资源的利用,以降低与邻株间的竞争。柽柳密度与土壤含水量、电导率、扎根深度、侧根长、拓扑指数显著相关。     

金塔绿洲不同林龄多枝柽柳根系分叉数与分支角度的关系

根系构型影响根系空间分布和营养吸收效率，反映了植物适应环境胁迫的生存策略。采用标准化主轴估计（Standardized major axis estimation，SMA）的方法，分析了甘肃金塔北海子国家湿地公园3年生和6年生多枝柽柳（Tamarix ramosissima）根系分叉数与分支角度的异速生长关系。结果表明：随着林龄的增长，湿地群落盖度、高度逐渐增加，多枝柽柳种群的盖度、密度、高度和地上生物量以及根系深度、分叉数、比根长、比表面积、各级根系直径随之增加，根系分支角度和根冠比逐渐减小；多枝柽柳根系分叉数与分支角度回归方程的标准主轴斜率逐渐增大（P<0.05），随着林龄的增长，多枝柽柳根系分叉数的增加速度逐渐大于根系分支角度的生长速度，二者在林龄间呈现出差异化的异速生长关系。随着林龄的增长，多枝柽柳根系构型模式由"扩散型"转变为"紧缩型"，体现了种群应对生境胁迫和竞争的生态适应机制。     

不同地下水矿化度对柽柳光合特征及树干液流的影响

为揭示柽柳(Tamarix chinensis)光合能力及耗水特征对地下水矿化度的响应规律, 以黄河三角洲建群种——柽柳3年生植株为研究对象, 在1.2 m的潜水水位下, 模拟设置淡水、微咸水、咸水和盐水4种不同的地下水矿化度, 测定柽柳叶片光合-光响应、蒸腾速率和树干液流的日变化。结果表明: 地下水矿化度通过影响土壤盐分可显著影响柽柳光合特性及耗水性能。随地下水矿化度升高, 柽柳叶片净光合速率(P_n)、最大P_n、蒸腾速率、气孔导度、表观量子效率和暗呼吸速率均先升高后降低, 而水分利用效率(WUE)持续降低。淡水、微咸水和盐水处理下, 柽柳P_n光响应平均值分别比咸水处理降低44.1%、15.1%和62.6%; 微咸水、咸水和盐水处理下, 柽柳WUE光响应平均值分别比淡水处理降低25.0%、29.2%和41.7%。随地下水矿化度升高, 柽柳叶片光饱和点先升高后降低, 而光补偿点持续升高, 光照生态幅变窄, 光能利用率变低。淡水和盐水处理下, 柽柳P_n下降分别是非气孔限制和气孔限制引起的。柽柳树干液流速率随地下水矿化度升高而先升高后降低, 咸水处理下树干液流速率日变幅最大, 日液流量最高。淡水、微咸水和盐水处理下日液流速率平均值分别比咸水处理降低61.8%、13.1%和41.9%。咸水矿化度下柽柳有较高的光合特性, 在蒸腾耗水较严重的情况下可实现高效生理用水, 适宜柽柳较好地生长。     

黄河三角洲贝壳堤岛3种优势灌木的根系构型

根系构型决定了植物植株固定和资源吸收等很多重要功能,并通过资源的分配确定了植物的根冠比和净初级生产力。对黄河三角洲贝壳堤岛3种优势灌木柽柳、酸枣和杠柳的根系构型进行了研究,并验证了植物根系分支直径的尖细速率和根系分支前后的比例。结果表明:3种植物的根系构型不同,酸枣和杠柳根系主要分布在浅表层,水平根幅与垂直根幅的比值较大,而柽柳的垂直根深所占比例最大;杠柳和酸枣的拓扑指数分别为0.85和0.96,趋向于1,近似于鱼尾形分支,而柽柳的拓扑指数为0.65,接近于叉状分支。平均连接长度以酸枣最大,杠柳次之,柽柳最小。随连接长度增加,酸枣根系相比其他两种植物的尖细速率趋向于平缓。此外,3种植物的分支前后直径都符合Leonardo da Vinci法则。总之,根据根系构型,黄河三角洲贝壳堤岛3种灌木植物可以划分为2类,一类是以根系地表分布,扩大根幅,鱼尾形分支觅养的酸枣和杠柳,另一类则是根系深扎,充分利用地下资源的柽柳,体现了2种不同的生境适应对策。     

不同灌溉量对绿洲-荒漠过渡带多枝柽柳幼苗根系生长和分布的影响

为了探讨绿洲-荒漠过渡带上受损柽柳群落幼苗适宜生长的土壤水分条件,在塔南策勒绿洲外围设置A（不灌溉）、B（适度灌溉）、C（充分灌溉）3个处理的田间试验,于7～10月份考察了各处理柽柳幼苗粗根（>2 mm）和细根（<2 mm）生物量积累、空间分布等变化特征。结果显示:（1）随着灌溉量的增加,柽柳根系生物量积累不断增加,且在生长季末（10月份）增速最大,同时细根占总根重的比例从20.5%上升到29.8%,显著提高了幼苗吸收养分和水分的能力。（2）干旱胁迫（处理A）下柽柳幼苗根系的下扎深度大,但水平根幅的扩展却有限;适度灌溉（处理B）的生物量较处理A大,但小于处理C;根系扎根深度表现为处理A>处理B>处理C,各指标均处于中间状态;水分条件最好（处理C）时虽然垂直扎根深度小,但水平根幅最大,可以更有效利用浅层土壤资源。（3）柽柳幼苗大量根系集中在0～40 cm的土壤表层,而且水分条件越好,这种集中趋势越明显;根系生物量随土壤深度的增加呈递减变化,细根的根长密度也有相似变化,但细根的比根长变化规律不明显,这可能与各层土壤微观环境的变化有关。研究表明,灌溉对柽柳幼苗根系的生长和分布有显著影响,充分灌溉下柽柳幼苗根系生物量积累最多且空间分布最大,该灌溉量有利于柽柳幼苗根系的正常生长和合理分布。     

不同盐分水平对柽柳扦插苗根系生长及生理特性的影响

柽柳(Tamarix chinensis)作为黄河三角洲湿地的优势种之一,对盐渍化环境具有较好的适应性。根系作为植物直接感受盐分变化的器官,其对盐分条件的响应特征对研究植物生存、湿地恢复、土壤改良等具有重要意义。以一年生柽柳插穗为研究材料,采用水培法,设置6个盐分水平:CK(空白对照)、0.4%、0.8%、1.2%、2.4%、3.6%进行试验,测定柽柳生根率、根寿命、根系生物量等生长指标及根中ATP合成酶和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性及脱落酸(ABA)含量,研究柽柳根系生长及生理特性对不同盐分水平的响应。结果表明:(1)柽柳适合扦插繁殖的培养溶液含盐量低于0.8%;含盐量超过0.8%后,扦插生根率显著降低,根系寿命减短。(2)柽柳根长生长随含盐量升高呈下降趋势;主根数随含盐量升高先增加,至含盐量超过1.2%后逐渐减少。(3)柽柳可通过调整生物量的分配模式来适应盐环境,低盐时地上部生物量高于地下,高盐时根系生物量比例逐渐增加,但生物量仍低于地上部分。(4)ATP合成酶活性、CAT活性在含盐量低于0.8%时增加;含盐量超过0.8%时,活性降低;脱落酸(ABA)含量随含盐量增加先增加,含盐量超过1.2%时减少。     

胡杨幼苗根系生长与构型对土壤水分的响应

胡杨实生幼苗成活率低是制约其更新与人工育苗保存的关键问题,而幼苗根系生长与构型是影响其存活的重要因素。该试验以1年生胡杨幼苗为材料,通过2种给水方式(断续给水和连续给水)下各6个土壤水分梯度处理的控制试验,探究胡杨幼苗根系生长与构型对荒漠地区关键因子水分的响应特征。结果表明:(1)2种给水方式下干旱胁迫均使根冠比增加,且断续给水处理下幼苗根冠比显著大于连续给水。(2)一定程度的干旱处理还可以促进幼苗根系形态发育特征的发展和根系生物量的积累,但过度干旱胁迫或土壤水分含量过多都会抑制根系生长,并以连续给水、土壤含水量15%处理下幼苗根系最为发达。(3)幼苗深扎根能力强,其根宽深比在2种给水方式下均小于1,且断续给水处理显著小于连续给水处理;2种给水方式下根宽深比都与土壤水分含量呈显著正相关。(4)根系拓扑指数在2种给水方式下无显著差异且均接近1,但都与土壤水分含量呈显著负相关。即幼苗根系趋向鱼尾状分支结构,次级分支少,这种根系延伸策略有利于胡杨幼苗在干旱贫瘠的土壤环境中生存。(5)根系构型参数的主成分分析显示,总根长、总根表面积、根宽深比和拓扑指数在2种给水方式下都能很好地表示胡杨幼苗根系构型特征。可见,胡杨幼苗根系通过构筑鱼尾状分支结构、增加垂直根纵向延伸能力和增大根冠比适应干旱环境;水分对于胡杨幼苗根系生长与构型作用显著,根系对水分因子的响应对于胡杨幼苗适应水分异质性环境具有重要意义。     

塔里木河下游荒漠植被保护酶活性与地下水位变化的关系

在塔里木河下游的不同断面,随着距离河道由近及远、地下水埋深的不断增大,柽柳叶片的MDA含量、SOD活性随着地下水位的下降而逐渐增加,与地下水位呈显著正相关．相关系数分别为0．7464和0．5531;POD活性却随着地下水埋深的不断增大而呈下降趋势,与地下水位呈显著负相关．相关系数为0．5518。根据不同地下水位条件下柽柳叶片的MDA含量和SOD活性所反映出的适宜其生存的合理生态水位、(严重)胁迫水位并将其进行综合比较与分析,初步推断出：在塔里木河下游地下水埋深超过3．12m时．柽柳的生长即开始受到抑制,5m左右的地下水位即对柽柳造成严重胁迫,≥8．83m的地下水位则会危及柽柳的生存。     

塔克拉玛干沙漠南缘三种防护林植物根系构型及其生态适应策略

采用全根挖掘法挖取塔克拉玛干沙漠南缘3种主要防护林植物种——多枝柽柳(Tamarix ramosissima)、梭梭(Haloxylon ammodendron)和新疆杨(Populus albavar. pyramidalis)成年植株根系, 测定并分析了根系构型及其拓扑结构。结果表明: 1)多枝柽柳和梭梭的根系趋向于鱼尾状分支结构, 新疆杨根系为叉状分支结构, 根系分支结构的差异使其资源获取能力和对环境的适应能力有所差异; 2)三种植物最小的根系平均连接长度为33.67 cm, 多枝柽柳和梭梭的根系连接长度大于新疆杨, 增加连接长度对植物在资源贫瘠的沙质土壤环境的生存有利; 3)新疆杨的根系分支率显著高于多枝柽柳和梭梭, 但其对干旱的适应性不如多枝柽柳和梭梭。4)三种植物根系分支均遵循Leonardo da Vinci法则, 且不受根系直径的约束。三种防护林植物在水、养资源获取与土壤空间拓展方面具有差异性, 表明在相似的极端干旱环境中3种植物采取了不同的生态适应策略。     

高水位条件下池杉根系的生态适应机制和膝根的呼吸特性

  池杉(Taxodium ascendens)属于典型的耐水树种, 掌握其根系对淹水环境的生态适应机制对于研究林木耐水机理十分重要。通过对江苏省里下河低湿地17年生池杉在高水位(6～10月淹水, 全年平均地下水位-5 cm)、中水位(8～9月淹水, 全年平均地下水位-18 cm)和低水位(常年不淹水, 全年平均地下水位-41 cm)条件下的根系进行调查, 结果表明, 池杉在高水位条件下形成细长的气生根, 气生根依附于树干北侧或潜伏于树干外表皮内侧和纵裂的树皮缝隙中; 中水位池杉能形成直径(7.9±2.2) cm、高(7.7±2.7) cm的膝根, 每株立木拥有膝根数(5.8±1.7)个; 低水位池杉也能形成膝根, 但个体小、数量少。林木地下和地上生物量均呈现出明显的高水位<中水位<低水位的趋势, 但是地下/地上生物量的比值却呈相反趋势, 表明池杉耐水性虽然很强, 长期处于较高水位时生长会明显受抑, 尤其是地上生物量生长受抑更显著。高、中和低水位池杉的地径/胸径之比分别是2.66±0.11、2.08±0.10和1.75±0.08, 说明水位较高的环境能促进树干基部的相对粗生长。长期淹水导致地下根的容重降低, 但是气生根和膝根的容重却明显大于地下根。高、中水位池杉细根的Fe和Mn浓度显著高于低水位, 其中Fe的浓度相差10倍以上, 但是叶的Fe、Mn浓度在不同水位之间没有显著差异。膝根的呼吸具有明显的季节差异, 8月和9月平均每个膝根的呼吸速率为2.1～2.5 mgCO₂&#8226;h^–1, 6月和11月为0.7～0.9 mgCO₂&#8226;h^–1, 3月为0.4 mgCO₂&#8226;h^–1; 膝根吸收O₂的摩尔数是释放CO₂摩尔数的4.6倍, 说明膝根吸收的O₂除了供自身呼吸, 大部分是提供给地下根利用。池杉之所以具有较强的耐水性, 与其在缺氧环境中能形成气生根和膝根、树干基部膨大和根系容重降低等有利于改善根系通气条件的生态适应机制密切相关。     

Light-regulated protein and mRNA synthesis in root caps of maize

Illumination of maize roots initiates changes in mRNA levels and in the activities of proteins within the root cap. Using Northern analysis we showed a 5–6-fold increase in the levels of three specific mRNAs and a 14-fold increase in plastid mRNA. This increase is rapid, occurring within 30 minutes of illumination. With prolonged periods of darkness following illumination, messages return to levels observed in dark, control caps. For two species of mRNA illumination results in a reduction in message levels. Light-stimulated increases in the levels of specific mRNAs are proportionally greater than are increases in the activities of corresponding proteins. We suggest that the light-stimulated increase in protein activity in root caps may be preceded by and occur as a consequence of enhanced levels of mRNA. Our work suggests that photomorphogenesis in roots could involve changes in the levels of a wide variety of mRNAs within the root cap.     

红砂幼苗根系形态特征和水分利用效率对土壤水分变化的响应

为探讨干旱与半干旱区受损红砂种群幼苗适宜生长的土壤水分条件,采用盆栽方法,研究了红砂幼苗在充分灌溉(FI)、适度灌溉(MI)、干旱处理(DT)3个水分处理下根系形态和水分利用效率的变化特征。结果表明:(1)红砂幼苗根系形态因水分条件和根序的不同而各异;随灌溉量的减少红砂幼苗根系直径和根体积均表现为FIMIDT,但干旱处理促进了根系的伸长生长和比表面积和比根长增加,根系形态的可塑性是红砂幼苗获取水分适应干旱环境的重要策略之一。(2)随根序的升高,各处理水平下红砂幼苗根长、比根长均显著减少,而其根直径和体积却显著增加,表明红砂幼苗根系内部具有高度的形态异质性。(3)与FI处理相比,MI和DT处理下红砂幼苗根系总生物量分别增加了50.00%、19.23%,但MI和DT处理却显著降低了红砂幼苗地上生物量,特别是叶片生物量下降幅度最大,分别降低了62.15%、83.28%,导致根冠比随灌溉量的减少而逐渐增加。(4)干旱处理显著提高了红砂幼苗的水分利用效率。研究认为,在灌溉量减少的情况下,红砂幼苗可通过根长、根系表面积和体积、直径等形态变化来优化其空间分布构型,以调节植株对水分的利用,提高水分利用效率。     

Rate of differentiation and emergence of nodal maize roots

The timing of root production is one of the parameters required for modelling the root system architecture. The objectives of this study are (1) to describe the rate of appearance of adventitious root primordia of maize and their rate of emergence out of the stem; (2) to test equations for the prediction of the rank of the phytomer on which root emergence occurs, in a wide range of field situations.Maize, cultivar Dea, was grown in controlled conditions and in the field in 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1991. Plants were regularly sampled and the following data were recorded: foliar stage, number of root primordia and number of emerged roots per phytomer. Root primordia were counted in transverse thin sections in the stem.At a single plant level, root primordia differentiation occurred sequentially on the successive phytomers, with no overlapping between two phytomers. The same was true for root emergence. Roots belonging to the same phytomer emerged at approximately the same time.At a plant population level, there was a linear relationship between the rank of the phytomer on which root primordia were differentiated and cumulated degree-days after sowing. A linear relationship was also observed between the rank of the phytomer on which roots were emerging and cumulated degree-days or foliar stage. In the range of field situations tested (several years, sowing dates and planting densities), both equations gave an accurate prediction of the timing of root emergence during the plant cycle.     

Root System Asymmetry of Mediterranean Pines

Three groups of Mediterranean pines were examined to describe the development of root symmetry on sites characterized by shallow soils and low water availability. Sampling included: (1) 3-year-old planted seedlings of Pinus halepensis Mill. taken from Sithonia Halkidiki, northern Greece, (2) 5-year-old natural regenerated seedlings of Pinus brutia Ten. taken from Kedrinos Lofos, Thessaloniki and (3) 65-year-old trees of Pinus brutia taken from Kedrinos Lofos, Thessaloniki. Root system symmetry was examined by measuring the number, the diameter, the cross-sectional area (CSA), the root area index (RAI) and the length of the lateral roots of each root system, and by analyzing their distribution around the stem. Above-ground plant symmetry was also estimated. The findings of the study indicated that there was an asymmetric root system in all three groups that is characterized by the concentration of the main laterals along the contour lines instead of uphill or downhill; however, the asymmetry was much higher in the young plants. This asymmetry was not correlated with the above-ground plant growth form, which was found to be symmetric. The asymmetric development of root can be attributed to the shallow soil and the high mechanical resistance of the underground bedrock that stopped the taproot growth, restricted the root penetration in the deeper layers and obliged the roots to elongate towards the surface soil layers, where there is more available water.     

孑遗蕨类中华水韭根系发育的研究

以发育良好的中华水韭植株为材料,用常规半薄切片法,详细观察了根的发育及其根系的特征,并讨论了水韭根的内外两种起源途径、不同粗细根的结构功能、分支及横隔的生物学意义,为探讨古老维管植物的系统演化及濒危原因提供形态学依据。结果显示:(1)中华水韭成熟植株没有主根,有近百条浅棕色管状根,既有内起源根,也有外起源根,且每条根都有多回二歧分支。(2)二歧分支的发生一般频率密集且为不均等分裂,根越细分支越早,而且分支频率越密集;二歧分支处都有由2~3层细胞组成的永久性横隔,即使在老根内这种横隔也始终存在。(3)子根尖的部分皮层细胞能够直接转化成表皮,子根尖粗细不等。研究认为,中华水韭有茎起源根和根托起源根,皮层细胞具有特殊的分化能力,横隔是古生态的高能环境所造成的适应性结构,其根系具有旺盛的再生能力及高度的复杂性。     

Nutrient uptake relationship to root characteristics of rice

Data on root parameters and distribution are important for an improved understanding of the factors influencing nutrient uptake by a crop. Therefore, a study was conducted on a Crowley silt loam at the Rice Research and Extension Center near Stuttgart, Arkansas to measure root growth and N, P and K uptake by three rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars at active tillering (36 days after emergence (DAE)), maximum tillering (41 DAE), 1.25 cm internode elongation (55 DAE), booting (77 DAE) and heading (88 DAE). Soil-root core samples were taken to a depth of 40 cm after plant samples were removed, sectioned into 5 cm intervals, roots were washed from soil and root lengths, dry weights and radii were measured. Root parameters were significantly affected by the soil depth × growth stage interaction. In addition, only root radius was affected by cultivar. At the 0- to 5-cm soil depth, root length density ranged from 38 to 93 cm cm^-3 throughout the growing season and decreased with depth to about 2 cm cm^-3 in the 35- to 40-cm depth increment. The increase in root length measured with each succeeding growth stage in each soil horizon also resulted in increased root surface area, hence providing more exposed area for nutrient uptake. About 90% of the total root length was found in the 0- to 20-cm soil depth throughout the season. Average root radius measured in the 0- to 5-cm and 35- to 40-cm depth increments ranged from 0.012 to 0.013 cm and 0.004 to 0.005 cm, respectively throughout the season. Total nutrient uptake by rice differed among cultivars only during vegetative growth. Differences in total nutrient uptake among the cultivars in the field appear to be related to absorption kinetics of the cultivars measured in a growth chamber study. Published with permission of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station.     

Evaluation in field conditions of a three-dimensional architectural model of the maize root system: Comparison of simulated and observed horizontal root maps

Most existing water and nutrient uptake models are based on the assumption that roots are evenly distributed in the soil volume. This assumption is not realistic for field conditions, and significantly alters water or nutrient uptake calculations. Therefore, development of models of root system growth that account for the spatial distribution of roots is necessary.The objective of this work was to test a three dimensional architectural model of the maize root system by comparing simulated horizontal root maps with observed root maps obtained from the field. The model was built using the current knowledge on maize root system morphogenesis and parameters obtained under field conditions. Simulated root maps (0.45 × 0.75 m) of horizontal cross sections at 3 depths and 3 dates were obtained by using the model for a plant population. Actual root maps were obtained in a deep, barrier-free clay-loamy soil by digging pits, preparing selected horizontal planes and recording root contacts on plastic sheets.Results showed that both the number of cross-sections of axile roots, and their spatial distribution characterized with the R-index value of Clark and Evans (1954), were correctly accounted for by the model at all dates and depths. The number of cross-sections of laterals was also correctly predicted. However, laterals were more clustered around axile roots on simulated root maps than on observed root maps. Although slight discrepancies appeared between simulated and observed root maps in this respect, it was concluded that the model correctly accounted for the general colonization pattern of the soil volume by roots under a maize crop.     

Fine root architecture, morphology, and biomass of different branch orders of two Chinese temperate tree species

We have limited understanding of architecture and morphology of fine root systems in large woody trees. This study investigated architecture, morphology, and biomass of different fine root branch orders of two temperate tree species from Northeastern China—Larix gmelinii Rupr and Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr —by sampling up to five fine root branch orders three times during the 2003 growing season from two soil depths (i.e., 0–10 and.10–20 cm). Branching ratio (R _b) differed with the level of branching: R _b values from the fifth to the second order of branching were approximately three in both species, but markedly higher for the first two orders of branching, reaching a value of 10.4 for L. gmelinii and 18.6 for F. mandshurica. Fine root diameter, length, SRL and root length density not only had systematic changes with root order, but also varied significantly with season and soil depth. Total biomass per order did not change systematically with branch order. Compared to the second, third and/or fourth order, the first order roots exhibited higher biomass throughout the growing season and soil depths, a pattern related to consistently higher R _b values for the first two orders of branching than the other levels of branching. Moreover, the differences in architecture and morphology across order, season, and soil depth between the two species were consistent with the morphological disparity between gymnosperms and angiosperms reported previously. The results of this study suggest that root architecture and morphology, especially those of the first order roots, should be important for understanding the complexity and multi-functionality of tree fine roots with respect to root nutrient and water uptake, and fine root dynamics in forest ecosystems.     

Effect of mutual shading on the emergence of nodal roots and the root/shoot ratio of maize

The effect of mutual shading on the root/shoot ratio and on the number of nodal roots of maize was studied. Plants of two varieties (Dea and LG2281) were grown in individual pots of 9 L, at three plant densities: 7.5, 11 and 15 plants m^–2. A control experiment was carried out in order to study if root growth was affected by the small size of the pots. Maize plants (cv Dea) were grown at a low plant density (7.5 plants m^–2) in pots of two different volumes (9 and 25 L respectively). In both experiments plants were watered every two hours with a nutrient solution. Some plants were sampled at five dates in the main experiment and the following data were recorded: foliar stage; root, stem and leaf dry weight; number of root primordia and number of emerged roots per phytomer. The final sampling date occurred at silking.Results of the control experiment showed that the root biomass was lower in small pots but the number of nodal roots per phytomer was not affected.Results of the main experiment showed that the total plant biomass and the root/shoot ratio were lower at high plant density. The number of emerged roots was strongly reduced on the upper phytomer (P₈). This reduction was mainly due to a lower percentage of root primordia which elongated. A proposed interpretation is that the number of roots which emerge on upper phytomers is controlled by carbohydrate availability.     

Size and morphology of root systems of perennial grasses from contrasting habitats as affected by nitrogen supply

This paper discusses interspecific differences and phenotypic responses to nitrogen supply in various root parameters of five perennial grasses from contrasting habitats. The following root parameters were studied: root:shoot ratio, specific root length, specific root area, mean root diameter, frequency of fine roots, and the length and density of root hairs. Significant between-species variation was found in all of these features. Species from fertile sites had higher root:shoot ratios at high nitrogen supply than species from infertile habitats. All species growing at low nitrogen supply showed a significant increase in root:shoot ratio. Specific root length, specific root area, mean root diameter and frequency of fine roots were not affected significantly by nitrogen supply. Species from infertile sites responded to low nitrogen supply by a significant increase in root hair length and root hair density.