不同水分处理对甘蒙柽柳幼苗根系生长特性的影响

以1年生甘蒙柽柳幼苗为对象,采用人工壕沟挖掘法,对柽柳幼苗在不同水分处理条件下(干旱处理、适度灌溉、充分灌溉)根系生态学特征的季节变化进行了研究.结果表明,不同水分处理对柽柳幼苗根系生长影响显著,垂直根扎根深度和生长速率随着灌溉量的减小而增加.地面灌溉量的增加会导致根系分布的浅表化和根系消弱系数的减小,根系生物量与土壤深度呈显著负对数关系.不同水分处理条件下,7-10月的根/冠比平均值分别为0.43、0.60、0.90、1.12,其根、冠间存在典型的异速生长关系.根/冠比随土壤水分的减小而增加,且生长季后期大于初期.     

多枝柽柳幼苗根系形态及生物量对不同灌溉处理的响应

多枝柽柳(Tamarix ramosissima)是塔里木河下游荒漠河岸林中的优势灌木, 对荒漠河岸植被群落的稳定起着重要作用。该文通过研究多枝柽柳幼苗根系形态对不同灌溉处理的响应, 分析人工水分干扰对多枝柽柳幼苗根系生长的影响。实验设计了侧渗分层和地表灌溉两种给水方式和高灌(50 L∙株 ^-1)、中灌(25 L∙株 ^-1)、低灌(12.5 L∙株 ^-1)三个给水水平, 并在整个生长季节监测每个植株的生物量及根系形态参数。结果显示: 与地表灌溉比较, 侧渗分层的灌溉方式显著提高了细根(0.5 mm < d < 2 mm)长、细根表面积和根系生物量, 并使根系生长至160 cm深度的土层, 大于地表灌溉深度(80-100 cm); 侧渗分层灌溉+高灌的组合促进根系生长的效果最显著(p < 0.05); 侧渗分层灌溉方式下总细根(d < 2 mm)的比根长随着给水量的增加显著增大, 而地表灌溉下比根长无显著变化; 侧渗分层灌溉方式下根冠比总体小于地表灌溉方式, 即侧渗分层灌溉使多枝柽柳地上部分发育较好。因此, 侧渗分层灌溉方式有显著促进多枝柽柳幼苗在生长早期快速发育的效果。     

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。     

塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地梭梭幼苗根系分布特征对不同灌溉量的响应

在塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地,采用分层分段挖掘法对不同灌溉量条件下(每株每次灌水35、24.5和14 kg)梭梭(Haloxylon ammodendron)幼苗根系的分布特征进行了研究。结果表明: 1)随着灌溉量的减少,梭梭幼苗根系生物量的分布格局有向深层发展的趋势,在不同灌溉量条件下地下垂直各层生物量与土壤垂直深度呈显著的负对数关系;2)各灌溉量梭梭幼苗的最大水平根长为垂直根长的2倍,但不同灌溉量根系生物量的水平分布趋势一致;3)吸收根生物量的垂直分布与土壤含水量的垂直变化基本一致,均呈“单峰型”曲线,但灌溉量不同,吸收根生物量峰值在土壤中出现的位置也不同,随着灌溉量的减少,吸收根集中分布区有向深层发展的趋势;4)根长、根表面积和根体积随着土壤深度的增加均呈“单峰型”曲线,灌溉量愈小,根长、根表面积和根体积的峰值愈位于土壤的深层;5)根冠比和垂直根深与株高之比随着灌溉量的减少而呈增加的趋势。     

地下水位对黄河三角洲柽柳根系生长的影响

为揭示黄河三角洲柽柳根系生长特征对地下水位的响应规律,明确柽柳生长适宜的地下水位,在咸水矿化度（6 g/L）下,模拟设置0、0.3、0.6、0.9、1.2、1.5、1.8 m共7个地下水位。测定分析栽植柽柳土柱的水盐参数与根系生长指标。结果表明：在咸水矿化度下,地下水位可显著影响土壤水盐变化,从而影响柽柳根系的生长。随地下水位的降低,土壤含水量、含盐量和土壤溶液绝对浓度显著降低。在高水位（≤0.6 m）下,柽柳根系生长受水盐胁迫影响显著,柽柳根长、根径、侧根数、总生物量、侧根生物量、根系连接长度均较低,拓扑结构呈叉状分支;中水位（0.9 m）时,土壤水盐条件适宜,柽柳侧根数、根径、二级侧根和毛细根生物量达到最大值,拓扑结构由叉状分支向鱼尾形分支过渡;低水位（≥1.2 m）下,土壤水盐含量低,柽柳根系总生物量、主根生物量、一级侧根生物量和根系平均连接长度在1.2 m水位达到最大值后降低,拓扑结构呈鱼尾形分支。柽柳根系生长与地下水位密切相关,柽柳通过改变根系生长和调整构型来适应不同土壤水盐和地下水位条件。高水位（≤0.6 m）下柽柳以降低根系生长深度,增加分叉,调配各组织器官的生物量来适应水盐胁迫;中水位0.9 m下土壤水盐条件最适宜柽柳生长;低水位（≥1.2 m）下柽柳主要受土壤干旱胁迫而使根系向下生长,增加根系连接长度,以此扩大资源获取效率。柽柳根系生长及根系构型对咸水矿化度下不同地下水位表现出较强的适应性和可塑性。     

梯田埂坎立地植物根系分布特征及其对土壤水分的影响

在标准株选择的基础上,采用整株挖掘法研究活性根的特征,采用旱季0～200cm土层土壤水分定点观测的方法观测土壤含水量,并籍此计算土壤水分相对亏缺值来描述梯田埂坎附近土壤水分的变化。研究显示,4个植物种在根系深度、生物量和根长分布、对土壤水分的影响方面具有不同的特征。柽柳根系深达757cm,根系生物量和根长在0～100cm土层范围内均匀减少。但粗根在整个根系中占支配地位,细根的生物量和根长主要集中在0～40cm土层中。杞柳根系分布在0～40cm土层中,占全部根系生物量的86．0％。但粗根占绝对优势。40cm以下土层中(杞柳根系分布的最大深度为305cm)根系生物量和根长逐渐下降,但细根长度超过粗根。杞柳的部分根系分布高于着生平面,而且这部分根系中细根占绝对优势。柠条的根系分布特征与杞柳相似,但粗根的比例大于杞柳。新疆杨根系分布较浅,最大深度仅为136cm。在0～40cm土层中,新疆杨根系生物量占总根系生物量的77．2％。60cm土层以下根系生物量急剧下降,根长在80cm以下同样急剧减少。在新疆杨的整个根系分布层中,虽然粗根在生物量上占优势,但细根长度远大于粗根。研究结果还显示,栽植不同植物种的埂坎附近水平范围内存在明显的土壤水分亏缺。柽柳埂坎、杞柳埂坎、拧条埂坎、新疆杨埂坎的水分亏缺范围分别为230cm,437cm,274cm和399cm。垂直范围内,在4个测点均有一个土壤水分从表层往下增加的土层,该层在30～70cm范围内变化,只是随距埂坎的距离和植物种不同而不同。增加层以下,土壤水分开始持续下降至70cm到200cm土层,具体的下降深度也因植物种和距埂坎的距离不同而不同。建议,(1)根系深、对土壤水分影响较小的柽柳是黄土高原地区较为理想的农林复合树种;(2)杞柳应栽植在梯田软硬埂的结合部,约在梯田埂坎高度的1／3到2／3处,并且采取及时平茬和秋粮作物配置的方法调控系统的竞争关系;(3)柠条可采取与杞柳相似的栽植和调控办法;(4)根系分布浅、对水分影响较大的新疆杨,除栽植在埂坎顶部外成活比较困难,不是合适的埂坎栽植树种。     

水曲柳幼苗根系对土壤养分和水分空间异质性的反应

通过沙培试验方法,研究了温室条件下水曲柳幼苗在施肥和浇水区,非施肥和非浇水区中根系生长,生物量分布,地下部分与地上部分关系,细根直径等特征。结果表明,土壤养分和水分的空间异质性对水曲柳幼苗根系生长和分布有明显影响。在施肥区和浇水区根系生长快,密度大,生物量高,而在非施肥和非浇水区根系生长受到抑制,根系密度小,生物量低,与非施肥区相比,施肥区细根直径下降,有利于根系对养分和水分的运输,但是在非浇水区     

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。     

模拟喀斯特异质性小生境下三叶鬼针草地上地下协同生长对策

模拟在喀斯特异质生境下,通过随机区组实验,研究三叶鬼针草（Bidens pilosa L.）在两种土壤生境（浅而宽、深而窄）和3种水分处理（对照、减水50%、减水70%）下植物的地上和地下生长关系及生物量分配格局。结果显示：（1）两种生境中三叶鬼针草的地上生长（株高、地径、叶面积、叶生物量）与地下根系生长（根长、根表面积、根体积、根生物量）均随着施水量的减少而降低;叶面积比率随着施水量的减少而增加;根质量比在浅而宽土壤生境中呈先增后减的趋势,而在深而窄土壤生境中呈增加趋势。（2）两种生境中三叶鬼针草的地上生物量与地下根系生物量、叶面积与根长、叶面积与各层根系生长均呈显著正相关关系。但在浅而宽土壤生境中,三叶鬼针草的地上生物量与各土层根系生物量均呈显著正相关,而在深而窄土壤生境中,地上生物量仅与中上土层根系生物量呈显著正相关。研究表明三叶鬼针草在不同生境中均具有较好的地上地下协同生长对策,在增强对地下资源获取的同时也增强了对地上资源的获取。在浅而宽土壤生境中,三叶鬼针草通过协调根系的横向拓展能力与植物叶片的生长来应对快速的干旱缺水;在深而窄土壤生境中,植株能较好地协调根系向下拓展能力与地上叶面积的生长,更好地利用土壤深层的水分资源。     

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。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.