盐碱胁迫对海岛棉幼苗生物量分配和根系形态的影响

为探求海岛棉幼苗生物量分配和根系生长对混合盐碱胁迫的响应,探索海岛棉幼苗对混合盐碱胁迫的适应特点,以新疆阿克苏地区主栽海岛棉品种新海31号(XH31)、新海35号(XH35)、新海43号(XH43)及新海48号(XH48)为试材,采用NaCl、Na_2SO_4和NaCl、NaHCO_3以物质的量1∶1混合分别模拟中性盐混合盐(中性盐)和碱性盐混合盐(碱性盐)2种盐类型,总盐浓度(Na~+)0(CK)、120、180、240、300、360 mmol/L,对2种盐胁迫下不同浓度海岛棉幼苗生物量、根系长度、根系体积以及根系表面积等海岛棉幼苗根系形态特征指标变化差异以及不同茎级的根系形态特征进行了分析。结果表明,中性盐下,盐浓度在0—180 mmol/L时,对海岛棉幼苗的根系总长度、总表面积、总体积、总根尖数有显著的促进的作用或不显著的抑制作用,尤其盐浓度为120 mmol/L对海岛棉幼苗细根(0d0.5 mm)的长度有显著的促进作用;大于180 mmol/L后,随着盐浓度的增加各项根系参数均显著减小;碱性盐下,除新海31号的总根尖数、细根及中根根尖数在120 mmol/L的盐浓度下比CK增加,其余处理均随着盐浓度的增加再减小;地上部生物量、根系生物量及根冠比在两种盐下随着盐浓度的增加逐渐减小,减小程度也由小变大。低盐(120 mmol/L)环境能促进细根的伸长,使海岛棉幼苗可以更加多的吸收养分和水分,这是根系接触低盐环境时做出的响应,高盐环境对海岛棉幼苗造成较大的损伤。     

不同育苗方式对移栽后侧柏和白榆幼苗根系生长的影响

不同类型苗木,具有不同的根系结构特征,其根系结构也将影响林木的生长和恢复生态系统的稳定性。以侧柏和白榆为研究对象,对移栽18个月后的种基盘苗与营养钵苗根系的生长进行了调查。结果表明:侧柏种基盘苗的总根长和平均直径比营养钵苗分别增加了316.20 cm和0.05mm,白榆苗则分别增加了651.54 cm和0.88mm。侧柏和白榆种基盘苗的根系表面积比营养钵苗分别增加了40.05%和73.04%。侧柏种基盘苗的根系总体积与营养钵苗的差异不显著,而白榆种基盘苗的根系总体积则比营养钵苗增加了54.70%。侧柏和白榆营养钵苗的一级侧根数量大于种基盘苗,增幅分别为42.31%和30.65%。对于侧柏来说,营养钵苗的根尖总数比种基盘苗的增加324个,但白榆苗差异不显著。各种处理的幼苗总根长与根系表面积都有显著相关性,但与根体积不具有显著相关性。营养钵苗的根系平均直径和根尖数量具有相对独立性,而种基盘的根系平均直径与总根长以及根体积均表现为显著相关。种基盘苗能提高侧柏、白榆幼苗的根冠比,促进幼苗株高、地径和主根的生长。采用种基盘苗进行植被恢复,由于其具有较大的根表面积和根长度,林木便具有了较大的吸收水分和营养的能力,以及较高的固结表层土壤能力。     

喀斯特土壤条件下丛枝菌根真菌侵染对任豆幼苗生物量分配和根系结构特征的影响

喀斯特地区土壤瘠薄,植被恢复困难,根系对幼苗生长发育起重要作用。丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)侵染可促进喀斯特植物干物质积累及提升抗逆能力,但AMF对喀斯特地区主要恢复树种根系侵染机制及影响的研究尚不够深入。本研究以喀斯特地区典型造林树种任豆(Zenia insignis)幼苗为试验材料,利用不同养分条件的喀斯特原生土壤开展盆栽试验,以摩西球囊霉(Funneliformis mosseae,Fm)、根内球囊霉(Rhizophagus intraradices,Ri)和2种菌根真菌混合菌剂(mixture inoculation,Mi)进行接种,分析不同养分土壤条件下菌根真菌对任豆幼苗生物量分配和根系结构特征影响。结果表明:贫瘠喀斯特土壤条件下Fm处理根系侵染率最高,地上部生物量、根系生物量、总生物量、根尖数、分叉数、交叉数和投影面积较CK提高2.50、5.60、3.67、3.03、3.78、3.66和3.56倍;Ri处理对地上部生物量、根系生物量、总生物量、分叉数无显著影响,根尖数、交叉数、投影面积较对照降低46.59%、50.00%、38.60%;Mi处理地上部生物量、根系生物量、总生物量、分叉数、交叉数和投影面积较CK提高3.02、3.47、3.14、1.64、1.60和1.70倍,对根尖数无显著影响。较高养分喀斯特土壤条件下Fm处理根系生物量、投影面积较CK提高2.38、1.51倍,对地上部生物量、总生物量、分叉数和交叉数无显著影响,根尖数较CK降低22.82%;Ri处理根系生物量、总生物量、根尖数、交叉数和投影面积较CK提高2.29、1.37、1.31、1.29和1.66倍,对地上部生物量、根系分叉数无显著影响;Mi处理地上部生物量、总生物量、根尖数和投影面积较CK提高1.44、1.46、1.25和1.40倍,对根系生物量、分叉数和交叉数无显著影响。养分较低条件下,Fm侵染有利于任豆生物量提高和吸收性根系分化,有助于根系觅食养分和水分,促进植物生长;养分较高条件下,Ri促进根系结构特征改变,Fm促生效应减弱。低钙高磷养分条件下Ri表现出较强的促生作用;Fm生态适应性强,在促进植物根系获取土壤养分、水分及土壤空间拓展方面具有显著优势,可作为菌根真菌促进喀斯特地区植被恢复的优势菌种。     

指数施肥对楸树无性系生物量分配和根系形态的影响

为探求楸树不同无性系生物量分配和根系形态的差异,2011年3-8月在甘肃省天水市小陇山林科所,以2年生楸树无性系1-4、7080和015-1组培苗为试验材料,设置了CK、6、10、14 g尿素/株4个处理,研究指数施肥对楸树无性系生物量分配和根系形态的影响.结果表明:(1)同一无性系中,10 g尿素/株的根、茎、叶生物量及总生物量、根长、根表面积、根体积和根平均直径均高于其它处理.无性系015-1的生物量和根系形态参数整体上高于无性系1-4和7080.无性系015-1在10 g尿素/株的根、茎、叶生物量及总生物量分别为89.44 g、61.30 g、79.97 g、230.71 g,是CK的1.48、1.52、2.09、1.66倍;根长、根表面积和根体积为22667 cm、6260 cm2、578.14 cm3,是CK的1.94、1.54、2.43倍.(2)指数施肥和无性系的遗传差异明显影响楸树不同无性系生物量的分配格局.适量施氮明显促进3个楸树无性系生物量的积累,而氮素缺乏或过量均不利于生物量的积累.8月同一无性系的根冠比均随施氮量的增加而降低;同一处理下无性系7080的根冠比高于无性系1-4和015-l.无性系1-4和7080的生物量主要向叶和茎分配,而无性系015-1主要向叶分配.(3)指数施肥在6月和7月主要促进细根根长和根表面积的增加;指数施肥在8月主要促进细根、中等根和粗根体积的急剧增加,分别比7月高达36.88％、124.96％、154.79％.这利于根系在中后期吸收更多养分,从而引起生物量分配格局的变化.(4)生物量参数和根系形态参数关系密切.根生物量、地上生物量、总生物量分别和根长、根表面积、根体积、根平均直径极显著正相关;根冠比和根长、根表面积、根体积、根平均直径极显著负相关;比根长和地上生物量、总生物量显著正相关,和根冠比极显著负相关.     

模拟增雨对荒漠植物幼苗生长和根系形态的影响

降雨是荒漠生态系统过程和功能的最重要限制因子,荒漠植物幼苗对生长季降雨的变化极端敏感。为探讨荒漠植物对未来降雨格局变化的响应,选取乌兰布和沙漠两种典型荒漠植物幼苗(白刺和油蒿)为研究对象,根据生长季内(6—9月)每次降雨量,进行不同梯度的人工模拟增雨试验(CK:自然降雨、A:增雨25%、B:增雨50%、C:增雨75%、D:增雨100%),研究两种植物幼苗生长和根系形态特征对降雨量变化的响应。结果表明:(1)不同增雨处理对白刺和油蒿幼苗的地上部生长有显著影响(P0.05),增雨处理的白刺和油蒿幼苗的株高、平均冠幅和基径显著高于CK,并随着增雨量的增大而增大(白刺基径除外);(2)增雨处理之间、白刺和油蒿之间在总根长、总表面积、平均直径、总体积、根尖数和分叉数均有显著差异(P0.05)。对白刺幼苗而言,B处理和C处理的根系参数均显著大于CK、A和D处理,且B和C处理之间没有显著差异(平均直径除外);对油蒿幼苗而言,随着增雨量的增加,油蒿总根长、总表面积、总体积、根尖数和分叉数呈现逐渐增加的趋势,而平均直径呈现先增加后降低的趋势,且在B处理下达到最大值。(3)增雨处理显著降低了白刺幼苗的根冠比,而对油蒿幼苗的根冠比没有显著影响,并且白刺幼苗根冠比显著大于油蒿幼苗。(4)白刺和油蒿幼苗的根系主要分布在0—0.5 mm和0.5—1 mm内,2 mm的细根比例分别在B和D处理下达到最大值。这表明白刺和油蒿幼苗能够通过调整地上部生长和根系形态来适应降雨的变化。     

城市垂直绿墙常用植物的根系构型特征和生长动态

以适应性强的2种常见藤本植物：夹竹桃科的花叶蔓长春(Vinca major‘Variegata’)和花叶络石(Trachelospermum jasminoides‘Variegatum’)为研究对象,每年随机选择5盆进行重复测试,比较它们2017—2021年的根系生物量、根冠比及根系的长度、表面积、直径、体积、根尖数等形态指标及比较各指标间的变异率和相关度,分析植物在垂直绿墙容器种植条件中根系的动态变化特征,以量化植物根系受根域限制而生长退化的时间节点和有效衡量指标,从而为延长绿墙使用寿命和开发低维护管养技术提供科学依据。结果表明：1) 2种植物的根系生物量及根长、根表面积、根体积、根分叉数、根尖数均在植物上墙后2019年达到峰值后开始下降,可作为衡量植物根系生长受根域限制而退化的时间节点;根冠比值在2020年达最低水平,反映了地下根系生长受限制早于所观测到的地上枝叶退化现象。2)根长、根表面积、根体积、根尖数均可作为衡量指标,其中,根系体积可作为典型的衡量指标,花叶蔓长春和花叶络石生长受限的根体积占比分别为2.2%、1.8%。3) 2种植物的根冠比与根长等构型特征指标呈一致的变化趋...     

土壤湿度对香樟幼苗根系生长和构型的影响

以1年生香樟(Cinnamomum camphora)幼苗为试材,设置对照组(CK)、中度干旱处理(M)、重度干旱处理(S)三个处理,比较不同土壤湿度下香樟幼苗不同时期地上部分生长和根系构型,探究香樟幼苗根系对不同土壤湿度的适应性及其耐旱机制。结果表明,中度和重度干旱处理组的香樟根系及地上部分干物质积累、根系长度、根系表面积、根系直径和根尖数均显著小于对照组(P<0.05)。同时干旱显著增加香樟幼苗的根系拓扑指数,降低香樟根的分形维数和平均分枝角度(P<0.05)。可见土壤湿度程度及处理时间显著影响香樟根系的生长及在土壤中的布局。较低土壤湿度可显著抑制根长的延长、根表面积扩大和根的增殖,且随着土壤湿度的继续降低以及处理时间延长,香樟幼苗根系的生长受到水分亏缺的抑制作用加重,根系建成成本增高的同时,根系分枝的复杂性降低,根系必须通过朝着更陡、更深的方向生长伸长来提高水分吸收效率。建议在园林绿化工程养护过程中制定科学的水分管理策略,以满足香樟生长过程中对土壤水分的需要。     

干旱条件下接种AM真菌对小马鞍羊蹄甲幼苗根系的影响

为了探讨岷江干旱河谷丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)对寄主植物幼苗根系的影响,通过接种购买的AMF摩西球囊霉菌(Funneliformis mosseae)到优势乡土灌木小马鞍羊蹄甲(Bauhinia faberi var.microphylla)幼苗,在重度、中度和轻度干旱条件下培养3个月,研究不同干旱条件下AMF对幼苗根系形态特征、结构特征、功能性状的影响。方差分析结果表明:(1)3种干旱胁迫条件下,接菌均显著增加了幼苗的根总长、根表面积、根分枝数、根尖数(P0.001),在中度胁迫和轻度胁迫下,接菌显著促进根鲜重、根体积的增加(P0.001),轻度胁迫条件下接菌幼苗的根鲜重、根总长、根表面积、根体积、根尖数最高并显著高于其它处理,但接菌与未接菌的根平均直径之间没有显著差异;(2)接菌幼苗根系趋向于叉状分支结构,在重度胁迫时,叉状分支趋势更显著(P0.001);(3)接菌幼苗的根比例都显著小于未接菌的,但幼苗比根长不存在显著差异。相关分析结果表明:菌根侵染率与根鲜重、根总长、根表面积、根体积、根分枝数、根尖数呈极显著正相关(P0.001),与拓扑指数、根比例呈极显著负相关(P0.001)。研究表明,在干旱条件下,AMF虽然没有提高生长初期的根系的吸收效率,但接种AMF显著影响幼苗根系形态特征和结构特征,更利于植物适应干旱环境,并且AMF对幼苗根系的促生作用随着干旱胁迫程度减轻而提高。     

施氮对干旱胁迫下毛竹幼苗生物量和根系形态的影响

为探讨氮素添加对水分胁迫下毛竹幼苗地上生物量及地下根系形态的调控作用,选取1年生毛竹实生苗为材料,采用水分和施氮双因素完全随机区组设计,以田间持水量的80%～85%作为水分对照(CK)、50%～55%为中度干旱(MD)、30%～35%为重度干旱(HD)设置3个水分水平,氮处理分未施氮(N0,0 mg N·kg^-1)和施氮(N1,100 mg N·kg^-1)2个水平,通过盆栽试验,测定毛竹实生苗根系形态特征及各器官生物量。结果显示：施氮显著增加了同一水分下毛竹幼苗叶、根及整株生物量,其中,N1MD和N1HD分别较N0MD和N0HD地上生物量增加15.6%、11.9%,总生物量分别增加36.7%、25.0%(P<0.05);施氮降低了相同水分处理下毛竹的比根长、茎叶比,显著促进了中度和重度干旱下根冠比的增加(P<0.05);水分胁迫下,除根生物量比显著增加外,茎、叶生物量比均随氮素添加呈减小的趋势;施氮对毛竹幼苗根系形态特征(根长、根表面积、根体积)具有不同程度的促进作用;施氮对中度干旱下毛竹幼苗干物质积累的缓解作用比重度干旱大,但在...     

丛枝菌根真菌对砂培玉米幼苗根系特征、光合生理与镉累积的影响

【背景】丛枝菌根真菌(arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF)是一类重要的土壤微生物,能显著影响植物对镉(cadmium,Cd)的耐性与累积,但其对不同形态Cd胁迫的响应尚不清楚。【目的】探讨不同形态Cd胁迫下接种AMF对玉米(Zea mays L.)生长和Cd累积的影响。【方法】采用30 cm高的培养容器填装石英砂(0.2 mm),开展室内砂培玉米试验,研究溶解态和胶体态Cd (1 mg/kg)胁迫下,接种摩西斗管囊霉(Funneliformis mosseae)对玉米幼苗生长、根系特征、光合生理及Cd累积的影响。【结果】双因素分析表明,AMF和Cd形态均对玉米生长(株高和生物量)、根系特征、光合生理(叶绿素含量和光合速率)与Cd累积量存在显著的影响,但二者之间没有显著交互作用。与未接种处理相比,接种AMF显著降低玉米株高、生物量、叶片叶绿素含量和光合速率,抑制玉米根长、根表面积、根体积和根尖数;同时增加了玉米根系Cd含量,但减少玉米地上部Cd含量以及地上部与根系Cd累积量;与胶体态Cd处理相比,溶解态Cd显著降低玉米的根长、根表面积、平均根系直径、根尖数和地上部Cd累积量,但增加了植株叶片光合速率、根系Cd含量和累积量。相关分析发现,玉米根长、根表面积和根尖数与地上部Cd含量呈显著或极显著正相关,与根系Cd含量呈极显著负相关。【结论】溶解态Cd比胶体态Cd对砂培玉米幼苗的毒害效应严重,而且接种AMF加重溶解态和胶体态Cd对玉米幼苗的损伤,但降低了植株对Cd的累积。     

Tillage and N fertilization effects on maize root growth and root:shoot ratio

Two methods for estimating the size of the maize (Zea mays l.) root system from soil cores taken in the field were compared. The spatially weighed block method of estimation accounted for variation in root density by using 18 samples per plant which varied in distance from plant and soil depth. This method was compared to an estimation which averaged all of the 18 samples together. Both methods gave surprisingly similar estimates for total root growth. Increased root growth in the surface soil layers, due to tillage and N fertilization, did not impact on the estimation of total root growth. Total root length remained unchanged or increased with N fertilization, while root weight remained the same or decreased. Root mass per length decreased with N fertilization. The estimated size of the root system was used to calculate root:shoot weight ratios. The largest root:shoot ratio was found in the vegetative stage and decreased throughout the rest of the season. In this field experiment, the estimated size of the root system at 8 weeks after planting was not significantly different from the size at silking or harvest. Nitrogen fertilization significantly decreased the root:shoot weight ratio. However, tillage did not significantly change the ratio.     

An unusual root tip formation in hairy root culture of Hyoscyamus muticus

Summary Hairy root cultures of Hyoscyamus muticus were established using Agrobacterium rhizogenes ATCC 15834. In one out of 8 clones established, an unusual root tip formation was observed after transfer of cultures from half-strength Murashige and Skoog (1962) to White's medium (1939). This phenomenon was associated with the production of a fine brownish cell suspension culture. Hairy root development resumed after transfer of the root tips from White to half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium. After plating the isolated brownish cells on hormone-free half-strength Murashige and Skoog or White solid medium, callus proliferation was observed, and then redifferentiation of hairy roots occurred. The polymerase chain reaction analysis of the H. muticus hairy root (clone Z2) revealed that only the tl region of the T-DNA was integrated. The growth and the production of five tropane alkaloids by this clone were examined.Abbreviations PCR Polymerase Chain Reaction - MS medium Murashige and Skoog Medium - 1/2 MS medium half-strength MS medium - WP medium Woody Plant medium - RC medium Root Culture medium - WH medium White medium - HPLC High Performance Liquid Chromatography - wt. weight     

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.     

Hormone interactions during lateral root formation

Lateral root (LR) formation, the production of new roots from parent roots, is a hormone- and environmentally-regulated developmental process in higher plants. Physiological and genetic studies using Arabidopsis thaliana and other plant species have revealed the roles of several plant hormones in LR formation, particularly the role of auxin in LR initiation and primordium development, resulting in much progress toward understanding the mechanisms of auxin-mediated LR formation. However, hormone interactions during LR formation have been relatively underexamined. Recent studies have shown that the plant hormones, cytokinin and abscisic acid negatively regulate LR formation whereas brassinosteroids positively regulate LR formation. On the other hand, ethylene has positive and negative roles during LR formation. This review summarizes recent findings on hormone-regulated LR formation in higher plants, focusing on auxin as a trigger and on the other hormones in LR formation, and discusses the possible interactions among plant hormones in this developmental process.     

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.     

Maize nodal root ramification: Absence of dormant primordia,root classification using histological parameters and consequences on sap conduction

Maize plants grown in field conditions were used to describe the histological organisation of the nodal roots, those of their laterals, and also to test the presence of critical stages where the subsequent capability for growth and development of young laterals was determined irreversibly. The absence of undeveloped primordia, which stop their development before boring through the nodal mother-root epidermis, proved that the number of laterals could not be regulated between the differentiation and the emission stage. Cross sections performed on nodal roots beared by the internodes 2, 4 and 6 and their long (>3 cm) and short (<3 cm) laterals showed that: u     

Seasonal dynamics of fine root biomass, root length density, specific root length, and soil resource availability in a Larix gmelinii plantation

Fine root turnover is a major pathway for carbon and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems and is most likely sensitive to many global change factors. Despite the importance of fine root turnover in plant C allocation and nutrient cycling dynamics and the tremendous research efforts in the past, our understanding of it remains limited. This is because the dynamics processes associated with soil resources availability are still poorly understood. Soil moisture, temperature, and available nitrogen are the most important soil characteristics that impact fine root growth and mortality at both the individual root branch and at the ecosystem level. In temperate forest ecosystems, seasonal changes of soil resource availability will alter the pattern of carbon allocation to belowground. Therefore, fine root biomass, root length density (RLD) and specific root length (SRL) vary during the growing season. Studying seasonal changes of fine root biomass, RLD, and SRL associated with soil resource availability will help us understand the mechanistic controls of carbon to fine root longevity and turnover. The objective of this study was to understand whether seasonal variations of fine root biomass, RLD and SRL were associated with soil resource availability, such as moisture, temperature, and nitrogen, and to understand how these soil components impact fine root dynamics in Larix gmelinii plantation. We used a soil coring method to obtain fine root samples (⩽2 mm in diameter) every month from May to October in 2002 from a 17-year-old L. gmelinii plantation in Maoershan Experiment Station, Northeast Forestry University, China. Seventy-two soil cores (inside diameter 60 mm; depth intervals: 0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, 20–30 cm) were sampled randomly from three replicates 25 m × 30 m plots to estimate fine root biomass (live and dead), and calculate RLD and SRL. Soil moisture, temperature, and nitrogen (ammonia and nitrates) at three depth intervals were also analyzed in these plots. Results showed that the average standing fine root biomass (live and dead) was 189.1 g·m⁻²·a⁻¹, 50% (95.4 g·m⁻²·a⁻¹) in the surface soil layer (0–10 cm), 33% (61.5 g·m⁻²·a⁻¹), 17% (32.2 g·m⁻²·a⁻¹) in the middle (10–20 cm) and deep layer (20–30cm), respectively. Live and dead fine root biomass was the highest from May to July and in September, but lower in August and October. The live fine root biomass decreased and dead biomass increased during the growing season. Mean RLD (7,411.56 m·m⁻³·a⁻¹) and SRL (10.83 m·g⁻¹·a⁻¹) in the surface layer were higher than RLD (1 474.68 m·m⁻³·a⁻¹) and SRL (8.56 m·g⁻¹·a⁻¹) in the deep soil layer. RLD and SRL in May were the highest (10 621.45 m·m⁻³ and 14.83m·g⁻¹) compared with those in the other months, and RLD was the lowest in September (2 198.20 m·m⁻³) and SRL in October (3.77 m·g⁻¹). Seasonal dynamics of fine root biomass, RLD, and SRL showed a close relationship with changes in soil moisture, temperature, and nitrogen availability. To a lesser extent, the temperature could be determined by regression analysis. Fine roots in the upper soil layer have a function of absorbing moisture and nutrients, while the main function of deeper soil may be moisture uptake rather than nutrient acquisition. Therefore, carbon allocation to roots in the upper soil layer and deeper soil layer was different. Multiple regression analysis showed that variation in soil resource availability could explain 71–73% of the seasonal variation of RLD and SRL and 58% of the variation in fine root biomass. These results suggested a greater metabolic activity of fine roots living in soil with higher resource availability, which resulted in an increased allocation of carbohydrate to these roots, but a lower allocation of carbohydrate to those in soil with lower resource availability. __________ Translated from Acta Phytoecologica Sinica, 2005, 29(3): 403–410 [译自: 植物生态学报, 2005, 29(3): 403–410]     

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.     

Carbon cost of root systems: an architectural approach

Root architecture is an important component of nutrient uptake and may be sensitive to carbon allocational changes brought about by rising CO₂. We describe a deformable geometric model of root growth, SimRoot, for the dynamic morphological and physiological simulation of root architectures. Using SimRoot, and measurements of root biomass deposition, respiration and exudation, carbon/phosphorus budgets were developed for three contrasting root architectures. Carbon allocation patterns and phosphorus acquisition efficiencies were estimated for Phaseolus vulgaris seedlings with either a dichotomous, herringbone, or empirically determined bean root architecture. Carbon allocation to biomass, respiration, and exudation varied significantly among architectures. Root systems also varied in the relationship between C expenditure and P acquisition, providing evidence for the importance of architecture in nutrient acquisition efficiency.     

Fine root demography in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

In perennial forages like alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), repeated herbage removal may alter root production and mortality which, in turn, could affect deposition of fixed N in soil. Our objective was to determine the extent and patterns of fine-diameter root production and loss during the year of alfalfa stand establishment. The experiment was conducted on a loamy sand soil (Udorthentic Haploboroll) in Minnesota, USA, using horizontally installed minirhizotrons placed directly under the seeded rows at 10, 20, and 40 cm depths in four replicate blocks. We seeded four alfalfa germplasms that differed in N₂ fixation capacity and root system architecture: Agate alfalfa, a winter hardy commercially-available cultivar; Ineffective Agate, which is a non-N₂-fixing near isoline of Agate; a new germplasm that has few fibrous roots and strong tap-rooted traits; and a new germplasm that has many fibrous roots and a strongly branched root system architecture. Video images collected biweekly throughout the initial growing season were processed using C-MAP-ROOTS software.More than one-half of all fine roots in the upper 20 cm were produced during the first 7 weeks of growth. Root production was similar among germplasms, except that the highly fibrous, branch-rooted germplasm produced 29% more fine roots at 20 cm than other germplasms. In all germplasms, about 7% of the fine roots at each depth developed into secondarily thickened roots. By the end of the first growing season, greatest fine root mortality had occurred in the uppermost depth (48%), and least occurred at 40 cm (36%). Survival of contemporaneous root cohorts was not related to soil depth in a simple fashion, although all survivorship curves could be described using only five rates of exponential decline. There was a significant reduction in fine root mortality before the first herbage harvest, followed by a pronounced loss (average 22%) of fine roots at the 10- and 20-cm depths in the 2-week period following herbage removal. Median life spans of these early-season cohorts ranged from 58 to 131 days, based on fitted exponential equations. At all depths, fine roots produced in the 4 weeks before harvest (early- to mid-August) tended to have shorter median life spans than early-season cohorts. Similar patterns of fine root mortality did not occur at the second harvest. Germplasms differed in the pattern, but not the ultimate extent, of fine root mortality. Fine root turnover during the first year of alfalfa establishment in this experiment released an estimated 830 kg C ha^–1 and 60 kg N ha^–1, with no differences due to N₂ fixation capacity or root system architecture.