水深梯度下湿地植被空间分布与生态适应

采用模糊数学排序方法对黄河三角洲国家级自然保护区不同水深梯度下芦苇湿地植被进行了．研究,揭示了水深对植被空间分布的影响。结果表明,不同水深梯度下植物生境和群落类型都表现出较大差异,水深-30～40cm,为水陆过渡地带,旱生、水生植物并存,物种最为丰富,该段水深上植被盖度最大;水深在-30-50cm,由于地下水深较低,该段水深是研究区盐碱化程度最大处;水深低于-50cm时,地表较为干旱,盐碱化程度有所降低,植被类型被耐干旱植被代替。不同水深梯度影响了土壤水分、空气和土壤的生物、物理、化学过程,引起植被生长环境中土壤水分、盐碱化程度的改变,进而对植被空间分布和植被生态特征产生影响。     

Effects of water table depth and calcium perioxide application on cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and soybean (Glycine max)

Summary The effects of three water table (WT) depths (0, 15 and 40 cm) and calcium peroxide (Calper) on the growth and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata, L.) and soybean (Glycine max) were investigated in field lysimeters for a sandy loam soil. Cowpea growth was the best at 40 cm WT depth. Leaf area, plant height, dry matter production, number of leaves and pods, grain yield and consumptive water use of cowpea increases with deeper (lower) WT depth. Application of calcium peroxide improved per cent emergence, leaf area, dry matter, number of leaves and pods, weight of 100 seeds, grain yield and water use in cowpea. The optimum WT depth for vegetative growth of soybean was 15 cm, although the highest grain yield was obtained at 40 cm WT depth. Number of pods, grain yield and water use efficiency of soybean increased with deeper water table depth. Application of calcium peroxide to soybean increased number of leaves and pods per plant, and grain yield for the 15 cm WT depth treatment.     

Root growth of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Walp.) on a hydromorphic toposequence in Western Nigeria

Summary The effects of variations in edaphic and hydrologic factors over a short distance on the root growth of soybean cv. Hernon 237 and cowpea cv. IT 82 E-60 were studied in a hydromorphic toposequence. During the growing season the water table (WT) fluctuated from 0.43 to 0.94 m (high), 0.60 to 1.12 m (medium) and 0.72 to 1.51 m (low), respectively in 1983 and from 0.47 to 0.84 m (high), 0.63 to 1.13 m (medium) and 0.83 to 1 20m (low). respectively, in 1984. Poor soil aeration did not limit growth, even for high WT.Root penetration into the deeper soil was prevented at the low and medium water table sites by the presence of a naturally occurring compacted gravel layer at the 0.30–0.40 m depth. The absence of this layer at the high water table site resulted in root growth and proliferation of soybean roots even within the capillary fringe zone immediately above the water table. Cowpea roots, however, were not observed in this saturated soil zone. Cowpea roots penetrated deeper in high than in medium and low WT. Evapotranspiration (Et) and E_t/E_o values of both crops were significantly greater at the high than at medium or low water table.     

根区交替控制灌溉条件下玉米根系吸水规律

为了阐明根区交替控制灌溉(CRDAI)条件下玉米根系吸水规律,通过田间试验,在沟灌垄植模式下采用根区交替控制灌溉研究玉米根区不同点位(沟位、坡位和垄位)的根长密度(RLD)及根系吸水动态。研究表明,根区土壤水分的干湿交替引起玉米RLD的空间动态变化,在垄位两侧不对称分布,并存在层间差异;土壤水分和RLD是根区交替控制灌溉下根系吸水速率的主要限制因素。在同一土层,根系吸水贡献率以垄位最大,沟位最低;玉米营养生长阶段,10—30 cm土层的根系吸水速率最大;玉米生殖生长阶段,20—70 cm为根系吸水速率最大的土层,根系吸水贡献率为43.21%—55.48%。研究阐明了交替控制灌溉下根系吸水与土壤水分、RLD间相互作用的动态规律,对控制灌溉下水分调控机理研究具有理论意义。     

Sources of Resistance to Cowpea Bacterial Blight Disease in Nigeria

The development of resistant crop varieties depends on the reliability of the method of screening for resistance. One of the techniques widely used in evaluating field resistance is the field screening method. However, most cowpea varieties regarded as having field resistance are often found to be susceptible in farmers’ fields, where the inoculum density can be higher. This study rescreened 96 cowpea varieties, evaluated earlier in breeders’ fields as resistant to Xanthomonas campestris pv. vignicola, in field and greenhouse under high inoculum pressure. There were significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) in the reactions of cowpea varieties to bacterial blight in terms of disease incidence and severity. Results from the field screening showed that there were 69 susceptible, 25 moderately susceptible, and 2 resistant varieties. In artificial inoculation in the greenhouse IT81D‐1228‐14, IT82E‐16, IT93K‐2271‐2‐2, TVu 1235, and TVu 4630, which were moderately susceptible in the field showed a susceptible reaction. Tvu 12349 and Tvu 15549 gave consistent reactions in the field and in the greenhouse and are therefore good sources of stable resistance to bacterial blight pathogen. Stem canker incidence also varied significantly (P ≤ 0.05) among the cowpea varieties. Seventeen varieties did not manifest canker symptoms.     

Plant-available P for Maize and Cowpea in P-deficient Soils from the Nigerian Northern Guinea Savanna – Comparison of E- and L-values

There are several indications that legumes are capable of accessing sparingly soluble phosphorus (P) in the soil through root-induced processes. We hypothesize that this plant-induced mobilization of P can be demonstrated if the plant accessible P assessed by isotopic dilution (‘L-value’) exceeds the corresponding values assessed in soil extracts (‘E-values’). A greenhouse experiment was set up to assess if L/E ratios are affected by P supply and by crop type. The L- and E-values were determined in three P-deficient soils of the Nigerian Northern Guinea savanna (NGS), applied with various rates of TSP, for two cowpea varieties (Vigna unguiculata L., cv Dan-Ila and cv IT-82D-716) and maize (Zea mays L., cv oba super I) as a reference. Plants grown in control soils were severely P-deficient. Plant growth and shoot P uptake significantly increased with increasing P application in all three soils and for all crops, but relative yield and shoot-P responses to P application were similar between maize and cowpea. Both L- and E-values increased with increasing P application. Average L/E ratios for maize were 1.4±0.3 and were unaffected by the P application. For cowpea in contrast, L/E ratios were 3.1±0.2 (significantly larger than one) in one of the three control soils and significantly decreased to 1.3±0.1 at largest P supply. Elevated L/E ratios in cowpea were not associated with an increase in P uptake compared to the other two control soils in which no increase in L/E ratio was observed. It is concluded that cowpea is able to access non-labile P under P-deficient conditions. However, this process cannot overcome P deficiency in these soils, probably because P uptake is limited by the small P concentration in the soil solution (1–2 μg P L⁻¹) and this limitation is not overcome by an increase in the accessible soil P quantity (L-value).     

Plant biomass and species composition along an environmental gradient in montane riparian meadows

In riparian meadows, narrow zonation of the dominant vegetation frequently occurs along the elevational gradient from the stream edge to the floodplain terrace. We measured plant species composition and above- and belowground biomass in three riparian plant communities—a priori defined as wet, moist, and dry meadow—along short streamside topographic gradients in two montane meadows in northeast Oregon. The objectives were to: (1) compare above- and belowground biomass in the three meadow communities; (2) examine relations among plant species richness, biomass distribution, water table depth, and soil redox potential along the streamside elevational gradients. We installed wells and platinum electrodes along transects (perpendicular to the stream; n=5 per site) through the three plant communities, and monitored water table depth and soil redox potential (10 and 25 cm depth) from July 1997 to August 1999. Mean water table depth and soil redox potential differed significantly along the transects, and characterized a strong environmental gradient. Community differences in plant species composition were reflected in biomass distribution. Highest total biomass (live+dead) occurred in the sedge-dominated wet meadows (4,311±289 g/m²), intermediate biomass (2,236±221 g/m²) was seen in the moist meadow communities, dominated by grasses and sedges, and lowest biomass (1,403±113 g/m²) was observed in the more diverse dry meadows, dominated by grasses and forbs. In the wet and moist communities, belowground biomass (live+dead) comprised 68–81% of the totals. Rhizome-to-root ratios and distinctive vertical profiles of belowground biomass reflected characteristics of the dominant graminoid species within each community. Total biomass was positively correlated with mean water table depth, and negatively correlated with mean redox potential (10 cm and 25 cm depths; P <0.01) and species richness (P <0.05), indicating that the distribution of biomass coincided with the streamside edaphic gradient in these riparian meadows.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at     

Root distribution and water uptake patterns of maize cultivars field-grown under differential irrigation

Summary Rooting and water uptake patterns were determined for three maize (Zea mays L) varieties field-grown during the 1983/84 dry season under seven irrigation levels on a sandy loam soil. Roots were mainly concentrated in the top 22 cm due to a 40 cm thick compact gravelly layer occurring from about this depth in the profile. There were significant varietal differences, distinguished by root length density (RLD) and length/weight ratio (LAR) distributions at depth and at varying soil moisture regimes. These properties were related to water extraction patterns and grain yields. Yields obtained at adequate soil moisture were 6.9 tha⁻¹ for TZESR-W (var 1), 4.2 t/ha for TZSR-W (var 2) and 3.7t ha⁻¹ for FARZ-7 (var 3). These yeilds were respectively associated with maximum RLD of 2.56, 1.88 and 1.70 cm cm⁻³ and corresponding LWR of 2.64, 1.93 and 1.62 cm mg⁻¹. Average seasonal water uptake was estimated at 4.2, 3.0 and 2.8 mm day⁻¹ for var 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Better performance of var 1 was attributed to the development of a more active and deep rooting system.     

Root Growth and Water Uptake by Maize Plants in Drying Soil

Sharp, R. E and Da vies, W. J. 1985. Root growth and water uptakeby maize plants in drying soil.— J. exp. Bot. 36: 1441–1456. The influence of soil drying on maize (Zea mays L.) root distributionand use of soil water was examined using plants growing in thegreenhouse in soil columns. The roots of plants which were wateredwell throughout the 18 d experimental period penetrated thesoil profile to a depth of 60 cm while the greatest percentageof total root length was between 20–40 cm. High soil waterdepletion rates corresponded with these high root densities.Withholding water greatly restricted root proliferation in theupper part of the profile, but resulted in deeper penetrationand higher soil water depletion rates at depth, compared withthe well watered columns. The deep roots of the unwatered plantsexhibited very high soil water depletion rates per unit rootlength. Key words: Maize, roots, water deficit, soil water depletion     

Abiotic edaphic factors affecting the growth of a threatened North American Sunflower, Helianthus paradoxus (Asteraceae)

This study evaluated the relationships among soil moisture, soil salinity, and soil oxygen on the growth of Helianthus paradoxus (Asteraceae), a threatened inland salt marsh species of western North America. The study was conducted in large growth boxes (1×2×0.3 m) tilted at an angle to achieve a saturated to dry water gradient similar to that found in the marsh. This experimental design allowed the evaluation of major abiotic factors (soil moisture and soil salinity) which have been shown to be potentially important for this species, while removing major biotic factors, such as competition from other community dominants. Maximum aboveground biomass occurred in the middle rows of the boxes, where surface soil water was reduced and subsurface soil water was intermediate in the gradient. Regression analyses indicated that H. paradoxus would grow best where surface soil water is approximately 5%, subsurface soil water ranges from 20 to 30%, and where surface soil salinity is less than 0.5 g kg⁻¹. Edaphic variables, particularly soil moisture and soil salinity, affect the growth of H. paradoxus. Data presented here suggest that the survival of this species depends on maintenance of the hydrologic regime.     

黄土高原雨水集聚深层入渗(RWCI)系统下山地果园土壤水分时空变异特征

水资源短缺是影响黄土高原雨养农业发展的关键性因素,雨水资源开发是缓解该地区水资源短缺的有效措施.本研究利用管式 TDR 系统监测21年红富士老果园0～300 cm土层土壤含水率变化,分析了雨水集聚深层入渗(RWCI)系统下黄土高原旱作山地果园土壤水分时空分布特征.结果表明: RWCI系统能够显著增加果园土壤含水率,特别是40～80 cm土层(土壤含水率低值区)土壤含水率,在该区域,不同设计深度(40、60和80 cm)RWCI处理(RWCI₄₀、RWCI₆₀和RWCI₈₀)年均土壤含水率分别较鱼鳞坑(CK)处理提高75.3%、85.4%和62.4%,分别较裸露坡地(BS)处理提高39.2%、47.2%和29.1%.RWCI₄₀、RWCI₆₀和RWCI₈₀处理土壤水分入渗最大深度分别为80、120和180 cm,显著深于CK处理(60 cm),其中土壤水分变化幅度最大的土层分别主要发生在0～60、0～100和0～120 cm.在果树整个生育期内,RWCI处理土壤平均含水率(0～300 cm)以RWCI₈₀处理最大,其次是RWCI₄₀和RWCI₆₀处理.总体来看,RWCI系统是黄土高原实现雨水资源化和农业高效用水的有效措施.     

Wheat Cultivars Respond Differently to a Drying Top Soil and a Possible Non-Hydraulic Root Signal

Research has shown that when plant roots are exposed to a dryingsoil a non-hydraulic (chemical) signal is produced in the rootand transported to the shoot, causing stomatal closure and growthretardation. This study was designed to reveal genetic diversityin wheat response to soil conditions which elicit a root signal,as the first step in the investigation of the genetic controlof the production of and the response to the root signal. Five spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars were establishedin the growth chamber in soil-filled polyvinyl chloride tubes,120 cm long and of an internal diameter of 10·2 cm. Soilwas well fertilized and wet to field capacity at emergence whentwo treatments were imposed: (1) tubes were watered from thetop as needed to eliminate stress (control); and (2) tubes hada constant water table at a soil depth of 100 to 120 cm, withno applied water. Measurements were performed on five dateson leaf water status and stomatal diffusive resistance. Above-groundbiomass and grain yield per plant were determined at maturity. The water table treatment resulted in dry and hard top soilconditions which were previously indicated to elicit a possibleroot signal. Under these experimental conditions, cultivarsdiffered in their leaf water status, stomatal diffusive resistance(R_s) and plant production. In the control treatment, R_s of cultivarsincreased with reductions in their relative water content (RWC)and leaf water potential (LWP), indicating the expected controlof R_s by leaf water status. Under conditions of a drying topsoil, relative water content (RWC) and leaf water potential(LWP) increased in cultivars that had a higher R_s, indicatingthat stomatal activity was controlling leaf water status. Itwas therefore suggested that the drying top soil elicited aroot signal which caused stomatal closure and reduced plantproduction. Under such conditions, two cultivars (Bethlehemand V748) consistently maintained relatively low R_s and highplant production, despite their relatively lower RWC and LWP,as compared with cvs C97, V747 and V652. Limited observationssuggest that in these two cultivars relatively fewer roots mayhave been exposed to the drying top soil, as compared with theother three cultivars. Key words: Triticum aestivum, cultivars, soil moistrue, drought stress, root, root signal, stomata, relative water content, leaf water potential, biomass, yield     

黄土丘陵沟壑区坡面尺度土壤水分空间变异及影响因子

土壤水分空间分布特征及其影响因子是土壤前期含水量模拟和小流域产流机制研究的重要内容,也是半干旱地区进行生态建设的重要参考。通过对黄土高原典型坡面雨季前后100 cm深度内土壤含水量进行观测,分析地形、植被和雨季对土壤水分空间分布的影响。基本统计分析显示,土壤水分的空间异质性在上层(<20 cm)较小,在下层(>40 cm)较大。坡面尺度上,土壤含水量的空间差异主要表现在不同植被类型之间,而不是坡位之间。各覆被类型的土壤含水量相对大小为荒草地>8年生刺槐林>20年生刺槐林>沙棘林。即使沙棘林和刺槐林位于更利于获取土壤水分的地形条件下,其土壤含水量仍然明显低于荒草地。地形对土壤水分的影响被植被类型的影响所掩盖。上述规律在雨季前后都有明显表现。因此,完全基于地形指数的土壤水分预测模型在黄土高原应该慎用,植被类型应该作为土壤水分空间预测的一个重要参数。雨季使土壤含水量整体提高,但是土壤水分空间分布格局并没有根本改变,高处仍高,低处仍低,各样点处的土壤含水量在雨季前后达到显著相关水平,说明土壤水分空间格局并不是瞬时状态,而具有明显的时间稳定性。     

太湖流域丘陵区两种土地利用类型土壤水分分布控制因素

为探究太湖流域丘陵区典型土地利用类型(如竹林地和茶园)土壤水分的控制因素,在不同深度土壤水分定期观测的基础上,根据前7d降雨量将研究时段划分为干旱状态和湿润状态,利用分类与回归树(CART)方法得出不同干湿状态下土壤水分分布的主控因子,并借助典范对应分析(CCA)定量分析不同土地利用类型、不同土壤深度土壤水分格局与环境因子关系。结果表明:(1)高程、土地利用类型和土层厚度对土壤水分分布的相对贡献率最大,但在不同干湿状态下其影响程度存在差异;(2)干旱状态时土壤水分主要受高程、坡度、地形湿度指数(TWI)和剖面曲率等地形因素的作用,而土层厚度和粘粒也分别为0—20 cm和20—40 cm深度土壤水分的主控因子;(3)在湿润状态下,茶园0—20 cm土壤水分的主控因素为地形因子,在20—40 cm则以土壤性质为主,竹林地两个深度的土壤水分受地形和土壤性质的作用都很强,其中20—40 cm深度土壤水分与环境因子的关系较0—20 cm深度更为复杂。     

Effect of water table depth and tillage methods on plant-water status and yield of rice

Summary Effects of water table depths on plant-water status, and on growth and yields of two rice varieties (TOS 78 and TOS 848) were studied in a lysimetric investigation. A field study was also conducted on a hydromorphic soil to investigate the effects of fluctuating water table on rice. The leaf-water potential of TOS 78 monitored at 1300 hours at 50% flowering stage was –17.5 and –23.0 bars for 0 and 60 cm water table depths, respectively. When grown under soil moisture stress, TOS 848 maintained higher leaf-water potential (–17.5 barvs –22.5 bar) and yielded more than TOS 78. Under hydromorphic soil conditions, no-tillage treatments yielded the same as conventionally tilled plots.     

Water relations and growth responses of Uniola paniculata (sea oats) to soil moisture and water-table depth

Summary This study examined the water relations and growth responses of Uniola paniculata (sea oats) to (1) three watering regimes and (2) four controlled water-table depths. Uniola paniculata is frequently the dominant foredune grass along much of the southeastern Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States, but its distribution is limited in Louisiana. Throughout most of its range, U. paniculata tends to dominate and be well adapted to the most exposed areas of the dune where soil moisture is low. Dune elevations in Louisiana, however, rarely exceed 2 m, and as a result the depth to the water table is generally shallow. We hypothesized that if U. paniculata grows very near the water-table, as it may in Louisiana, it will display signs of water-logging stress. This study demonstrated that excessive soil moisture resulting from inundation or shallow water-table depth has a greater negative effect on plant growth than do low soil moisture conditions. Uniola paniculata's initial response to either drought or inundation was a reduction of leaf (stomatal) conductance and a concomitant decrease in leaf elongation. However, plants could recover from drought-induced leaf xylem pressures of less than-3.3 MPa, but prolonged inundation killed the plants. Waterlogging stress (manifested in significantly reduced leaf stomatal conductances and reduced biomass production) was observed in plants grown at 0.3 m above the water table. This stress was relieved, however, at an elevation of 0.9 m above the water table. As the elevation was increased from 0.9 to 2.7 m, there were no signs of drought stress nor a stimulation in growth due to lower soil moisture. We concluded that although U. paniculata's moisture-conserving traits adapt it well to the dune environment, this species can grow very well at an elevation of only 0.9 m above the water table. Field measurements of water-table depth in three Louisiana populations averaged about 1.3 m. Therefore, the observed limited distribution of U. paniculata along the Louisiana coast apparently cannot be explained by water-logging stress induced by the low dune elevations and the corresponding shallow water-table depth.     

黄土塬区不同土地利用方式土壤水分消耗与补给变化特征

对黄土塬区不同土地利用方式下2012年3—10月7龄果园(挂果初期)、17龄果园(盛果期)、小麦地、玉米地土壤水文状况进行分析,结果显示,0—600 cm试验土层7龄果园土壤贮水量最高,其次为玉米地、小麦地,17龄果园最低,且不同土地利用方式下贮水量随着降水量的变化而上下波动,但其变化滞后于降水。不同土地利用方式均表现为随土壤深度增加土壤含水量变异程度减弱的特征,且其土壤剖面的水分含量变化存在季节变异。农田和7龄果园中不存在土壤干燥化现象,而17龄果园土壤剖面存在较厚的干燥化土层,其分布深度为320—600 cm。不同的土地利用方式的土壤水分的消耗和补充深度有较大差异,17龄果园消耗深度为500 cm,补充深度为200 cm;7龄果园、玉米地和小麦地消耗深度分别为200、300 cm和300 cm,且补充深度均超过了测定的土壤深度,大于600 cm。     

Soil aeration in relation to soil physical properties, nitrogen availability, and root characteristics within an arctic watershed

The seasonal change in soil oxygen availability was determined in several habitats along a topographic moisture gradient in an arctic watershed. The effect of changes in soil aeration on soil chemical and plant properties was examined by comparison of the driest (tussocks) and wettest (wet sedge tundra) sites along this gradient. Spatial variability and seasonal change in soil oxygen availability was closely linked to the hydrologic regime and the thickness of the organic soil horizon. The greatest extension of the aerobic soil layer was found beneath well-drained tussocks, while less than 10% of the unfrozen soil layer is aerated in flooded wet sedge tundra. Intertussock areas and watertracks (channels of water drainage) have intermediate levels of aeration. In tussock tundra, soil oxygen diffusion is restricted in the mineral soil layer below the organic horizon due to reduced pore space. Organic matter constituents and their change with depth were similar beneath tussocks and in wet sedge tundra, indicating that factors other than soil aeration (e.g. low soil temperatures, short growing season) are the primary controls on decomposition in these two arctic tundra systems. NH₄ ⁺, the dominant form of inorganic N, was more available in wet sedge tundra than in tussock tundra. At both sites, extractable and soil solution NO₃ ^- concentrations increased 4 to 8 fold in the second part of the growing season, indicating increased nitrifier activity with improved soil oxygen availability. Although soils thawed as deep as 60 cm, approx. 90% of the root biomass was concentrated within 20 cm of the surface. Despite the anaerobic soil environment in wet sedge tundra, the dominant species there, Eriophorum angustifolium, reached slightly greater rooting depths than E. vaginatum, whose roots grow in the elevated, aerobic portion of tussocks. E. angustifolium had a root porosity of 31%, within the range found for wetland species, while roots of E. vaginatum had a porosity close to 12%. Rhizome porosity were low in both species (11%).     

Use of differential water sources by Prosopis flexuosa DC: a dendroecological study

In central-western Argentina, there is a pronounced water deficit gradient, from semiarid climate conditions with 500-mm rainfall/year to arid climate conditions with 80-mm rainfall/year. This climatic transition, governed by the rainfall gradient, occurs between the Arid Chaco and Monte phytogeographic regions and is evidenced by differences in vegetation type, structure, dynamics and tree growth. In turn, the availability of soil moisture, particularly access to the water table, modifies water use strategies by trees along this gradient. We analyzed how water availability, expressed as differences in accessibility to the water table, influences Prosopis flexuosa tree rings along a precipitation gradient. In this manner, we try to interpret the growth of species according to the use of differential water sources. P. flexuosa showed highly varying growth reactions (tree-ring width and hydraulic anatomic parameters) with climate, depending on the ecology of the site. Along the Arid Chaco-Monte gradient, the growth of P. flexuosa is more dependent on variations in rainfall in those areas where water depth is greater than root spread. The climate signal was hidden in those regions where the water table is accessible to the root system.     

Fine-root growth, fine root mortality, and leaf morphological change of Populus alba in response to fluctuating water tables

Water table fluctuation in arid land regions may alter tree fine-root growth and mortality, thereby affecting leaf growth. To reveal the effects of water table fluctuation on fine-root growth and mortality and their relation to leaf growth, we exposed P. alba L. cuttings to various fluctuating water table depths. 1-year-old rooted cuttings were grown individually in pots containing sandy soil in a greenhouse in three water table depth treatments for 45 days: constant depth at 45 cm from the soil surface, fluctuating depths between 45 and 30 cm, and fluctuating depths between 45 and 15 cm. Fine-root biomass and mortality, biomass partitioning among plant parts, and whole-tree growth responses were determined in cuttings harvested every 15 days. Fluctuation of water tables increased the mortality of fine roots at the layers near the soil surface. Fine-root mortality increased during the shallower water table depth period. At the whole-root system level, although fine-root mortality increased when the water table was shallower, fine-root biomass was similar among the treatments, suggesting that P. alba cuttings would sustains its standing fine-root biomass under fluctuating water table depth conditions. Our structural equation modeling showed the fine-root proportion affects leaf morphological changes, suggesting that there would be a parallel relationship of morphological changes between roots and leaves with fluctuating water tables.