Apical diameter and branching density affect lateral root elongation rates in banana

Thick roots elongate faster than thinner ones. However, within one species, the growth achieved by roots of a given diameter can be very variable, and root diameter can only be considered as a determinant of root potential elongation rate. As root elongation is highly correlated to carbon availability, it can be hypothesized that local competition for resources, expressed as the number of lateral roots per unit length (i.e. the branching density), modulates root elongation. Using novel methods in field conditions, we have estimated apical diameters, elongation rates and growth durations of nearly 3500 banana lateral roots, in a field experiment with high radiations and a shaded glasshouse experiment with low radiations. Apical diameters and branching densities were lower in the experiment with low radiation, but elongation rates were higher. In both experiments, mean elongation rates of first-order laterals and thick second-order laterals were negatively correlated with bearing root branching densities. It is hypothesized that, even though apical diameters were lower, low branching densities in the shaded glasshouse allowed enhanced lateral root elongation. In both experiments, second-order laterals elongated more slowly than first-order laterals of similar diameter. A specific effect of root order, independent of branching density and apical diameter, contributed to explain these slow second-order lateral elongation rates. Most lateral roots elongated between 9 and 21 days and growth duration was mainly correlated with root diameter.     

Relationships between root diameter,root length and root branching along lateral roots in adult,field-grown maize

Background and Aims Root diameter, especially apical diameter, plays an important role in root development and function. The variation in diameter between roots, and along roots, affects root structure and thus the root system’s overall foraging performance. However, the effect of diameter variation on root elongation, branching and topological connections has not been examined systematically in a population of high-order roots, nor along the roots, especially for mature plants grown in the field.Methods A method combining both excavation and analysis was applied to extract and quantify root architectural traits of adult, field-grown maize plants. The relationships between root diameter and other root architectural characteristics are analysed for two maize cultivars.Key Results The basal diameter of the lateral roots (orders 1–3) was highly variable. Basal diameter was partly determined by the diameter of the bearing segment. Basal diameter defined a potential root length, but the lengths of most roots fell far short of this. This was explained partly by differences in the pattern of diameter change along roots. Diameter tended to decrease along most roots, with the steepness of the gradient of decrease depending on basal diameter. The longest roots were those that maintained (or sometimes increased) their diameters during elongation. The branching density (cm^–1) of laterals was also determined by the diameter of the bearing segment. However, the location of this bearing segment along the mother root was also involved – intermediate positions were associated with higher densities of laterals.Conclusions The method used here allows us to obtain very detailed records of the geometry and topology of a complex root system. Basal diameter and the pattern of diameter change along a root were associated with its final length. These relationships are especially useful in simulations of root elongation and branching in source–sink models.     

Early growth of Brazilian pine (Araucaria angustifolia[Bertol.] Kuntze) in response to soil compaction and drought

Soil compaction leads to changes in soil physical properties such as density, penetration resistance and porosity, and, by consequence, affects root and plant growth. The initial growth of Brazilian pine is considered as being more affected by soil physical than chemical conditions, and the presence of a well-developed tap root system has been associated with this fact. A greenhouse experiment was conducted in order to evaluate the impact of soil compaction on the growth of Brazilian pine seedlings and on their susceptibility to a simulated drought period. In the first phase of the experiment, the effects of three levels of soil compaction on root morphology and plant growth were examined. Soil cylinders were artificially compacted in PVC tubes. Pre-germinated seeds were planted, and 147 days later 10 plants from each treatment were harvested for analysis. Higher values of soil density were associated with a shorter and thicker tap root. Growth of lateral roots and shoots remained unaffected at this stage. In the second phase, half of the plants (12) in each compaction treatment were drought-stressed by withholding water for a period of 77 days. Increased soil compaction again resulted in reduced length and increased diameter of the main tap root. This time, the effects were also extended to the lateral roots. Shoot extension growth and overall plant mass, however, increased with soil compaction. This greater mass accumulation in plants growing under increased soil compaction may be attributed to a more intimate contact between roots and soil particles. Drought stress reduced both root and shoot growth, but root mass was more negatively affected by drought stress in plants growing under high levels of soil compaction. Future investigations on the effects of soil compaction on the initial growth of Brazilian pine should include a wider range of compaction levels to better establish the relationship between soil physical parameters and plant growth.     

高寒草地不同径级根形态对围封年限的响应

以根径级表征根系形态结构，可以反映植物资源利用和生物量分配状况。研究高寒草地不同径级根形态，对了解地下碳分配、水分和养分吸收及生产力具有重要意义。围封被认为是防治草地退化的最有效措施之一，但目前有关围封年限对不同径级根形态影响的研究还极度缺乏，以致无法确定有利于根生态效益，即资源吸收利用能力最大化的围封年限。以位于青海省海北台站围封5、13、22、39 a的高寒草地为研究对象，季节性放牧草地为对照，探讨围封年限对不同径级根形态(包括根长、根表面积和根尖数)的影响。结果表明：在0—15 cm土层中，径级小于0.5 mm时，围封13 a的根尖数显著高于围封5 a的草地，其对应的生物量也最大；径级小于0.6 mm时，围封13 a的根长和根表面积均显著高于围封5 a和放牧草地，且其对应的生物量也达最大；径级大于0.5 mm时，各草地之间的根尖数均无差异；径级大于0.6 mm时，围封39 a的根长和根表面积均显著高于放牧草地，且其对应的生物量最大。在15—30 cm土层中，各径级下，围封5 a的根长、根表面积和根尖数均显著大于围封39 a和放牧草地，但其对应的生物量在围封13 a时达最大。土壤硝...     

青杨人工林根系生物量、表面积和根长密度变化

在植物生长季节,采用钻取土芯法对秦岭北坡50年生青杨人工林根径≤2 mm和2～5 mm根系的生物量、表面积和根长密度进行测定.结果表明：在青杨人工林根系(＜5 mm)中,根径≤2 mm根系占总生物量的77.8%,2～5 mm根系仅占22.2%;根径≤2 mm根系表面积和根长密度占根系总量的97%以上,而根径2～5 mm根系不足3%.随着土层的加深,根径≤2 mm根系生物量、表面积和根长密度数量减少,根径2～5 mm根系生物量、表面积和根长密度最小值均分布在20～30 cm土层.≤2 mm根系生物量、表面积和根长密度与土壤有机质、有效氮呈极显著相关,而根径2～5 mm根系的相关性不显著.     

Growth and morphology of eucalypt seedling-roots, in relation to soil strength arising from compaction

Information on the response of root growth and morphology to soil strength is useful for testing suitability of existing and new tillage methods and/or for selecting plants suitable for a specific site with or without tillage. Although there is extensive published information on the root growth-soil strength relationships for annual agricultural plants, such information is scarce for woody, perennial tree species. The purpose of this study is to examine growth and morphology of the root systems of 17-day-old eucalypt seedlings with respect to variation in soil strength. Soil strength in this study was varied by compaction of a well-aggregated clay soil to bulk densities of 0.7–1.0 Mg m^-3 whilst maintaining adequate water availability and aeration for plant growth. Lengths and tip-diameters of primary and lateral roots were measured on the excavated root systems of seedlings.With increase in bulk density and also soil strength (expressed as penetrometer resistance), total length of primary and lateral roots decreased. There were 71 and 31% reduction in the lengths of primary and lateral roots respectively with an increase in penetrometer resistance from 0.4 to 4.2 MPa. This indicated primary roots to be more sensitive to high soil strength than the lateral roots. Average length of lateral roots and diameters of both primary and lateral root tips increased with an increase in soil strength as well. There was greater abundance of lateral roots (no. of lateral roots per unit length of primary root) and root hairs with increased soil strength. The observed root behaviour to variable soil strength is discussed in the context of compensatory growth of roots and overall growth of plants.     

隔沟交替灌溉条件下玉米根系形态性状及结构分布

为揭示根系对土壤环境的适应机制,研究了隔沟交替灌溉条件下玉米根系形态性状及结构分布。以垄位和坡位的玉米根系为研究对象,利用Minirhizotrons法研究了根系（活/死根）的长度、直径、体积、表面积、根尖数和径级变化及其与土壤水分、土温和水分利用效率（WUE）的相关关系。结果表明,对于活根,在坡位非灌水区域复水后根系平均直径减小,而根系日均生长速率、单位面积土壤根系体积密度、根尖数和表面积均增大,并随灌水区域土壤水分的消退逐渐减小;对于死根,在坡位非灌水区域复水后根系日均死亡速率、根系体积密度、根尖数和表面积变化均减小,其中根系死亡速率和死根直径随土壤水分的消退逐渐降低,而死根体积密度、根尖数和表面积分布随土壤水分降低呈增大趋势;在垄位,根系形态分布趋势与坡位一致,除根系直径与与坡位比较接近外,其他根系形态值均小于坡位。将根系分成4个径级区间分析根系的形态特征,结果表明在根系长度和体积密度分布中以2.5－4.5 mm径级的根系所占比例最大,在根尖数和根系表面积分布中以0.0－2.5 mm径级的根系为主。通过显著性相关分析,死根直径、体积密度、活根表面积等根系形态与土壤含水率、土壤温度和WUE间均存在显著或极显著的正相关关系,部分根系形态指标（如根系的生长速率、活根体积密度）只与坡位土壤含水量、土壤温度具有明显的相关性,表明隔沟交替灌溉对坡位根系形态的调控作用比垄位显著。     

Root System Development of Oak Seedlings Analysed using an Architectural Model. Effects of Competition with Grass

A dynamic 3D model of root system development was adapted to young sessile oak seedlings, in order to evaluate the effects of grass competition on seedling root system development. The model is based on a root typology and the implementation of a series of developmental processes (axial and radial growth, branching, reiteration, decay and abscission). Parameters describing the different processes are estimated for each root type. Young oak seedlings were grown for 4 years in bare soil or with grass competition and were periodically excavated for root system observation and measurements (topology of the root system, length and diameter of all roots with a diameter greater than 0.3 mm). In the fourth year, 40 cm×20 cm×20 cm soil monoliths were excavated for fine root measurement (root density and root length). Root spatial development was analysed on a sub-sample of roots selected on four seedlings. The model was a guideline that provided a complete and consistent set of parameters to represent root system development. It gave a comprehensive view of the root systems and made it possible to quantify the effects of competition on the different root growth processes. The same root typology was used to describe the seedlings in bare soil and in grass. Five root types were defined, from large tap roots to fine roots. Root system size was considerably reduced by grass competition. Branching density was not affected but the branch roots were always smaller for the seedlings grown in competition. Reiteration capacity was also reduced by competition. Cross sectional areas before and after branching were linearly related with a scaling coefficient close to 1, as predicted by the pipe model theory. This relationship was not affected by grass competition.     

水曲柳和落叶松不同根序之间细根直径的变异研究

细根直径大小和根序高低对细根寿命和周转估计具有重要的影响,研究不同根序之间的直径变异对认识细根直径与根序的关系具有重要意义。该文根据Pregitzer等(2002)提供的方法,研究了位于东北林业大学帽儿山实验林场尖砬沟森林培育实验站17年生水曲柳(Fraxinus mandshurica)和落叶松(Larix gmelinii)人工林细根1~5级根序的平均直径的变化、直径的最小值和最大值范围、直径的变异系数。结果表明,水曲柳和落叶松细根直径<2 mm时,包含5个根序,随着根序由小到大的增加,细根直径也在增大。各根序平均直径之间,存在较大的差异。在同一根序内,细根直径范围很大,水曲柳和落叶松一级根最小直径均<0.20 mm,最大直径分别<0.50 mm(水曲柳)和<0.70 mm(落叶松)左右。2~3级根序直径最小值在0.20~0.30 mm之间,最大值≤1.0 mm。5级根直径最小值<1.0 mm,最大值超过2.0 mm。随着根序等级增加,直径变异系数增大。一级根序的直径平均变异系数<10%,2~3级根序直径平均变异系数在10%~15%左右,4~5级根序直径的平均变异系数在20%~30%之间。因此,在细根寿命与周转研究过程中,必须同时考虑直径和根序对细根的寿命估计的影响。     

增温下土壤资源异质分布对杉木幼苗生长的影响

在福建三明森林生态系统与全球变化研究站陈大观测点开展大气温度控制、土壤温度控制和土壤资源分布3因子试验,探讨土壤资源异质分布和增温对杉木幼苗地下和地上生长的影响,以及增温是否能改变杉木幼苗细根对土壤资源异质分布的识别度,以明确杉木人工林在全球变暖背景下对土壤资源异质分布的响应.结果表明:杉木对土壤资源异质分布的识别度主要体现在吸收根(0~1 mm径级)上,而1~2 mm径级细根则不具有识别度.除了单独大气增温处理对杉木1~2 mm径级细根的避贫系数具有显著影响外,不同增温处理均未对杉木幼树细根的贫富比、趋富系数和避贫系数产生显著影响.与土壤资源均质分布相比,土壤资源异质分布增加了0~1 mm径级细根生物量,降低了树高.与无大气增温相比,大气增温降低了0~1和0~2 mm径级细根生物量,增加了树高.与无土壤增温相比,土壤增温降低了1~2 mm径级细根生物量,但增加了树高和侧枝长度.大气增温控制、土壤增温控制和土壤资源异质分布对杉木地下、地上生长都无显著交互作用.杉木幼苗吸收根本身对土壤资源异质分布具有识别度,但增温并不会改变杉木幼苗细根对土壤资源异质分布的识别度.     

Modelling the branching growth fractal pattern of the maize root system

Using the technique of L-systems, a growth model of the maize root system is developed. From the observation of the root systems developed under various soil density in eight root boxes, a spatial hierarchy of growth rules was extracted. The rules were divided into three categories: a meta-rule for describing features of an entire root system, a branching growth rule and a tip elongation rule. Some variations in the entire features of the root system, such as the outline and the root distribution, were confirmed by observation, and then the respective meta-rules were re-defined. The branching properties of first- and second-order lateral roots were statistically almost equal in the observations, and this lead us to set up a single stochastic branching growth rule. Tip elongation movement was not observed here; its rule had to be assumed by reference to data in the literature. A single set of branching growth and tip elongation rules were coupled with the respective meta-rules corresponding to the root samples observed, where a small scale rule was loosely governed by a large scale rule. Computer simulations offered optimized drawings of the observed root systems, and they also reproduced a typical anisotropic power distribution of roots similar to those observed.     

Biomass and distribution of fine and coarse roots from blue oak (Quercus douglasii) trees in the northern Sierra Nevada foothills of California

This research adds to the limited data on coarse and fine root biomass for blue oak (Quercus douglasii Hook and Arn.), a California deciduous oak species found extensively throughout the interior foothills surrounding the Central Valley. Root systems of six blue oak trees were analyzed using three methods — backhoe excavation, quantitative pits, and soil cores. Coarse root biomass ranged from 7 to 177 kg per tree. Rooting depth for the main root system ranged from 0.5 to 1.5 m, with an average of 70% of excavated root biomass located above 0.5 m. Of the total biomass in excavated central root systems, primary roots (including burls) accounted for 56% and large lateral roots (> 20 mm diameter) accounted for 36%. Data from cores indicated that most biomass outside of the root crown was located in fine roots and that fine root biomass decreased with depth. At surface depths (0–20 cm), small-fine (< 0.5 mm diameter) roots accounted for 71%, large-fine (0.5–2.0 mm) for 25%, and coarse (> 2 mm) for 4% of total root biomass collected with cores. Mean fine root biomass density in the top 50 cm was 0.43 kg m⁻³. Fine root biomass did not change with increasing distance from the trees (up to approximately 5 m). Thus, fine roots were not concentrated under the tree canopies. Our results emphasize the importance of the smallest size class of roots (<0.5 mm), which had both higher N concentration and, in the area outside the central root system, greater biomass than large fine (0.5–2.0 mm) or coarse (> 2.0 mm) roots. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

隔离降水对杉木幼苗细根生物量和功能特征的影响

在福建三明陈大国有采育场杉木幼苗小区,采用土钻法和内生长环法,以非隔离降水为对照,对隔离降水50%处理一年的杉木幼苗细根生物量和形态、化学计量学、比根呼吸、非结构性碳水化合物等功能特征进行研究.结果表明: 与对照相比,隔离降水处理0～1 mm细根生物量显著降低,1～2 mm细根生物量差异不显著;隔离降水导致细根在形态上发生了适应性变化,0～1 mm和1～2 mm细根比根长分别增加21.1%和30.5%,0～1 mm细根组织密度显著降低,而比表面积显著增加.隔离降水导致细根氮的富集,但限制了对磷的吸收,氮磷比升高,导致营养失衡;隔离降水没有显著改变细根比根呼吸和非结构性碳水化合物含量,但导致1～2 mm细根可溶性糖、糖淀比显著降低,淀粉含量增加33.3%,表明其通过增加非结构性碳水化合物贮存比例以应对降水减少.     

Consequences of root growth kinetics and vascular structure on the distribution of lateral roots

It has been proposed that the acropetal initiation of lateral roots is a built‐in process specified as part of the general process of cell division and differentiation in the parent root tip. Conversely, it is commonly reported that root branching is essentially a variable feature. In the present study, the interlateral distance along the parent root has been investigated using three banana varieties (Musa spp.) grown in two substrates. The pattern of lateral root initiation was obscured by variations of root growth patterns and vascular structure among roots, genotypes and substrates. A framework model is formulated showing the influence of growth pattern and vascular structure on branching density. The model raises a distinction between growth components which should not affect the branching density (i.e. rate of cell division) and which may affect it (i.e. size of mature cells and number of transverse divisions performed by cells executing their trajectory in the meristem). It appears also that lateral root density and root growth rate might be independently modulated by appropriate changes of root growth patterns, in banana and presumably many other taxa.     

Influence of root diameter on the penetration of seminal roots into a compacted subsoil

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of root diameter on the ability of roots of eight plant species to penetrate a compacted subsoil below a tilled layer. The soil was a fine sandy loam red-brown earth with a soil strength of about 3.0 MPa (at water content of 0.13 kg kg^-1, corresponding to 0.81 plastic limit) at the base of a tilled layer. Relative root diameter (RRD), which was calculated as the ratio of the mean diameters of roots of plants grown in compacted soil to the mean diameters of those from uncompacted soil, was used to compare the sensitivity of roots to thicken under mechanical stress.Diameters of root tips of plants grown in soil with a compacted layer were consistently larger than those from uncompacted soil. Tap-rooted species generally had bigger diameters and RRDs than fibrous-rooted species. A higher proportion of thicker roots penetrated the strong layer at the interface than thinner roots. There were differences between plant species in the extent to which root diameter increased in response to the compaction. The roots which had larger RRD also tended to have higher penetration percentage.The results suggest that the size of a root has a significant influence on its ability to penetrate strong soil layers. It is suggested that this could be related to the effects which root diameter may have on root growth pressure and on the mode of soil deformation during penetration.     

Using a fine root extraction device to quantify small diameter corn roots (≥0.025 mm) in field soils

The study of fine roots growing under field conditions is limited by the techniques currently available for separating these roots from soil. This study had two objectives: to measure the total root length of field grown corn (Zea mays L.) by root diameter class, and to develop an inexpensive and efficient root washing device that would effectively capture all of the roots in a field soil sample. An inexpensive Fine Root Extraction Device (FRED) was constructed from readily available materials and was successful at extracting all roots, including very fine diameter roots (0.025 mm), from field soil samples. Greater than 99.7% of marked roots introduced to the FRED were recaptured by the device. Soil samples from three depths, and on three dates, from field grown corn were placed in the FRED. We found that more than 56% of total root length occurred in roots whose diameters were smaller than 0.175 mm, and more than 35% of root length occurred in roots smaller than 0.125 mm in diameter. Corn roots of the diameters described here have not been reported in field soils prior to this study. Root researchers who fail to measure these very fine roots will significantly underestimate root length density. Widespread use of the FRED should improve our understanding of root distribution in field soils.     

Maximum axial growth pressures of the lateral roots of pea and eucalypt

Although lateral roots may contribute significantly towards growth and nourishment of plants, the mechanics of their elongation behaviour in strong soils is not well known. The aim of this study is to report maximum axial growth pressures (p) and maximum elongation rates (E) of the lateral roots of an annual herbaceous plant (pea) and a woody perennial (eucalypt). As such measurements have not been reported previously, measurements of P and E for lateral roots were compared with the primary roots of pea for which reports are widespread. Values of P were estimated from the measured maximum values of axial force and root diameter on single, intact roots of seedlings in the laboratory. Additional measurements of both P and E were made for the lateral roots of pea when the growth of the remaining root axes was stopped (with removal of tips) to determine the overall effects of root-growth-inhibition on P and E of single roots.Values of P and E for lateral roots of pea were significantly greater than those for the lateral roots of eucalypt. Although root diameter for the primary roots of pea were similar to those for the lateral roots of eucalypt, the former exerted nearly twice as much pressure as the latter. The lateral roots of pea elongated significantly slower than the primary roots; however, P of lateral roots was significantly lower than the primary roots when elongation of all other roots was inhibited during the measurements. Production and/or development of lateral roots increased when elongation of the remaining roots (both primary and lateral roots) of pea seedlings was restricted due to the removal of root tips and exposure of one of the lateral roots to high strength. In general, maximum axial force exerted by primary and lateral roots was similar for roots of <1 mm diameter. However, primary roots exerted greater maximum axial force than the lateral roots when root diameter was >1 mm. As axial pressure of lateral roots was independent of root diameter, thickening of root tips is less likely to assist penetration of lateral roots in strong soils.     

Analyses of the effects of potato cyst nematodes (Globodera pallida) on growth, physiology and yield of potato cultivars in field plots at three levels of soil compaction

Field experiments were carried out in 1991 and 1992 on sandy soil highly infested with the potato cyst nematode Globodera pallida. Half the trial area was fumigated with nematicide to establish two levels of nematode density. Three levels of soil compaction were made by different combinations of artificial compaction and rotary cultivation. Two potato cultivars were used in 1991 and four in 1992. Both high nematode density and soil compaction caused severe yield losses, of all cultivars except cv. Elles which was tolerant of nematode attack. The effects of the two stress factors were generally additive. Analysis of the yield loss showed that nematodes mainly reduced cumulative interception of light while compaction mainly reduced the efficiency with which intercepted light was used to produce biomass. This indicates that nematodes and compaction affect growth via different damage mechanisms. Nematodes reduced light interception by accelerating leaf senescence, by decreasing the specific leaf area and indirectly by reducing overall crop growth rate. Partitioning of biomass between leaves, stems and tubers was not affected by nematode infestation but compaction decreased partitioning to leaves early in the growing season while increasing it during later growth stages. The effects of nematodes and compaction on root length dynamics and nutrient uptake were also additive. This suggests that the commonly observed variation in yield loss caused by nematodes on different soil types is not related to differences in root system expansion between soils of various strength. Cv. Elles, which showed tolerance of nematodes by relatively low yield losses in both experiments, was characterised by high root length density and thick roots. These characteristics did not confer tolerance of soil compaction, since compaction affected root lengths and tuber yields equally in all cultivars. In the first experiment only, high nematode density led to decreased root lengths and lower plant nutrient concentrations. The yield loss which occurred in the second experiment was attributed to the effects of nematodes on other aspects of plant physiology.     

Quantifying the impact of soil compaction on root system architecture in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) by X-ray micro-computed tomography

Background and Aims

We sought to explore the interactions between roots and soil without disturbance and in four dimensions (i.e. 3-D plus time) using X-ray micro-computed tomography.

Methods

The roots of tomato Solanum lycopersicum ‘Ailsa Craig’ plants were visualized in undisturbed soil columns for 10 consecutive days to measure the effect of soil compaction on selected root traits including elongation rate. Treatments included bulk density (1·2 vs. 1·6 g cm⁻³) and soil type (loamy sand vs. clay loam).

Key Results

Plants grown at the higher soil bulk density exploited smaller soil volumes (P < 0·05) and exhibited reductions in root surface area (P < 0·001), total root volume (P < 0·001) and total root length (P < 0·05), but had a greater mean root diameter (P < 0·05) than at low soil bulk density. Swelling of the root tip area was observed in compacted soil (P < 0·05) and the tortuosity of the root path was also greater (P < 0·01). Root elongation rates varied greatly during the 10-d observation period (P < 0·001), increasing to a maximum at day 2 before decreasing to a minimum at day 4. The emergence of lateral roots occurred later in plants grown in compacted soil (P < 0·01). Novel rooting characteristics (convex hull volume, centroid and maximum width), measured by image analysis, were successfully employed to discriminate treatment effects. The root systems of plants grown in compacted soil had smaller convex hull volumes (P < 0·05), a higher centre of mass (P < 0·05) and a smaller maximum width than roots grown in uncompacted soil.

Conclusions

Soil compaction adversely affects root system architecture, influencing resource capture by limiting the volume of soil explored. Lateral roots formed later in plants grown in compacted soil and total root length and surface area were reduced. Root diameter was increased and swelling of the root tip occurred in compacted soil.     

瓦屋山常绿阔叶次生林建群种扁刺栲的细根分布及其碳氮特征

四川瓦屋山国家森林公园是我国西部的中亚热带湿性常绿阔叶林的典型代表,具有四川现存的较为完好的扁刺栲(Castanopsis platyacantha)-华木荷(Schima sinensis)群系,该研究利用土钻法探讨了该群系内主要建群种扁刺栲标准木的细根分布及其碳氮特征。结果表明:(1)扁刺栲细根总生物量为173.62 g·m~(-2),其中活根生物量为135.29 g·m~(-2)。(2)随着土层深度的增加,扁刺栲细根生物量、根长密度、根系表面积和比根长呈下降趋势,0~30 cm土层所占比例分别为67.23%、69.53%、69.48%和57.20%;根长密度、根系表面积和比根长均随细根直径的增加而显著下降,直径小于1 mm的根系所占比例分别为58.84%、52.59%和51.36%。(3)扁刺栲细根生物量、根长和表面积消弱系数β均随根系直径的增加而增加。(4)根系C含量在第Ⅰ土层中随细根直径的增加而显著增加,在其他土层则无显著差异;直径小于2 mm的根系C含量在第Ⅰ土层中显著低于其他土层,大于2 mm的根系C含量在各土层间的差异不大。(5)根系N含量随根系直径和土层深度的增加而减少,C/N值则与之相反。该研究结果在一定程度上反映了该次生林地下细根的垂直分布及养分特征,为揭示该生态系统地下生态过程及今后在该生态系统研究环境变化对地下生态过程的影响提供了基础数据。