尕海湿地不同密度下甘肃马先蒿根系分叉数与连接数、分支角度的关系

根系构型决定根系分布及其对养分和水分的吸收效率,是植物根系与胁迫生境相互适应的结果。采用标准化主轴估计(Standardized major axis estimation, SMA)法,并采用全根挖掘和Win-RHIZO根系分析仪相结合的方法,按照甘肃马先蒿种群密度设置I(10—31株/m~2)、Ⅱ(32—53株/m~2)、Ⅲ(54—75株/m~2)3个样地,研究了尕海湿地不同密度下甘肃马先蒿(Pedicularis kansuensis)根系分叉数与连接数及分支角度的关系。结果表明:随着种群密度由高到低转变,甘肃马先蒿的高度、盖度、地上生物量、根系分叉数及外部连接数逐渐减小,地下生物量、根系内部连接数、分支角度逐渐增大;甘肃马先蒿根系分叉数与内部连接数、外部连接数及分支角度均呈异速生长关系,随着种群密度由高到低转变,甘肃马先蒿根系内部连接数与分支角度增加的速度逐渐大于分叉数与外部连接数减小的速度,根系分叉数与内部连接数的异速斜率逐渐减小,与外部连接数、分支角度的异速斜率逐渐增大。甘肃马先蒿在高密度倾向于密集型根系构型构建模式,在低密度选择扩散型根系生长模式,体现了高寒湿地植物种群应对资源多重竞争的生态适应机制。     

红砂根系分叉数和分支角度权衡关系的坡向差异

根系构型是决定根系分布及其对土体搜索效率的重要因素, 是植物与资源环境异质性相互适应的结果。利用ArcGIS建立研究区域的数字高程模型(digital elevation model), 采用全根系挖掘法, 研究了祁连山北坡荒漠草原不同坡向红砂(Reaumuria songarica)根系分叉数和分支角度的关系。结果表明: 不同坡向梯度草地群落的盖度、密度、高度和土壤含水量呈不同的变化趋势(p < 0.05), 红砂种群的密度、高度和根冠比等生物学特征的变化规律存在差异(p < 0.05); 不同坡向红砂根系分叉数和分支角度的相关性存在差异(p < 0.05), 在南坡和北坡红砂根系分叉数和分支角度之间存在极显著的负相关关系(p < 0.01), 在东坡和西坡根系分叉数和分支角度之间存在显著的负相关关系(p < 0.05), 红砂根系分配给根系分叉数和分支角度的资源存在着“此消彼长”的权衡关系; 随着坡向由南坡向西坡、东坡、北坡转变, 红砂根系分叉数和分支角度回归方程的标准化主轴斜率逐渐减小(p < 0.05), 红砂根系构型模式由扩散型转向聚集型。不同坡向红砂根系合理权衡连接长度和分支角度的资源配置模式, 反映了异质生境中植物种群应对资源多重竞争的环境生态适应机制。     

秦王川湿地不同密度柽柳枝-叶性状及其光合特性

枝、叶是植物的两个重要功能器官,密度制约下其异速生长关系不仅是植物个体发育过程的表现,也是植物与环境互相作用的结果。柽柳是干旱区湿地的主要植物之一,密度制约下其小枝与叶的异速生长关系对于理解干旱区湿地环境下植物的资源利用策略具有重要意义。在兰州市秦王川干旱区湿地,将柽柳(Tamarix gansuensis H.Z.Zhang)种群分为Ⅰ(0.1—0.35棵/m~2)、Ⅱ(0.35—0.6棵/m~2)和Ⅲ(0.6—0.85棵/m~2)3个密度梯度,应用标准化主轴估计(standardized major axis estimation,SMA)法,研究了不同密度下,柽柳当年生小枝长度与叶面积、叶数量的生长关系及叶片光合特性。结果表明:随着柽柳种群密度的增加,群落土壤含水量逐渐增加,土壤容重、pH值和电导率逐渐减小;柽柳平均高度、郁闭度、枝长度和叶面积呈逐渐增大趋势,冠幅、基径、分枝角度、叶数量和光合有效辐射呈逐渐减小趋势;叶面积指数、净光合速率、蒸腾速率和气孔导度先增加后减小。枝长度与叶面积、叶数量在不同的密度梯度下显著正相关(异速斜率k0,P0.05),随着密度梯度的增加,枝长度与叶面积的回归斜率逐渐减小(异速斜率0.65≤k≤0.98,P0.05),枝长度和叶数量回归斜率不变(异速斜率k=0.9,P0.01),截距沿着y轴显著的正向移动(截距0.25—1.93)。随着种群密度的增加,柽柳由较小枝长度、叶面积和较大分枝角度、叶数量的枝叶构建模式,发展为较大枝长度、叶面积和较小分枝角度和叶数量的垂直空间拓展模式并提高气孔导度、光合速率和蒸腾速率、降低水分利用效率,反映了该物种在干旱区湿地环境中、密度制约条件下的表型可塑适应机制和资源利用策略。     

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。     

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。     

塔里木河下游多枝柽柳幼苗生长和光合生理指标对输水漫溢的响应特征

以塔里木河下游天然漫溢区多枝柽柳幼苗为研究对象,分析连续漫溢干扰下多枝柽柳幼苗生长和种群变化特征,以及不同漫溢强度下幼苗的光合特性。结果表明：（1）在连续2次较强输水漫溢的干扰下,多枝柽柳幼苗种群密度从2013年3月到2014年7月呈先增后降再增的趋势,而其冠面积、株高和基径则呈先降后增再降的趋势。（2）在第2次输水漫溢较弱的Ⅲ监测区,多枝柽柳幼苗种群密度呈先增加后逐渐降低的趋势,而其冠面积、株高和基径则呈先降低后逐渐增加的趋势。（3）随第2次输水漫溢量逐渐减弱,多枝柽柳幼苗叶片相对含水量呈先降后增的趋势,叶绿素含量、实际光化学量子产量（Φ_PSⅡ）、光化学猝灭系数（q_p）均呈逐渐降低的趋势,而非光化学猝灭系数（NPQ）呈逐渐增加的趋势,但潜在最大光化学量子效率（F_v/F_m）总体处于相对适宜的状态。研究认为,连续2次较强的输水漫溢条件虽能够使生长季期间漫溢区多枝柽柳幼苗种群得到更新,但同时也导致大量幼苗受淹死亡,从而使漫溢区的多枝柽柳幼苗种群不能形成一定的规模;建议采取强弱交替的方式进行生态输水,既能提高新发生幼苗的存活率,又能使幼苗稳定的生长。     

尕海湿地不同密度条件下垂穗披碱草根系分形结构

根系分形结构影响根系的分布格局,是植物根系与胁迫生境相互适应的结果。采用全根挖掘和Win-RHIZO根系分析仪相结合的方法,按照垂穗披碱草种群密度设置Ⅰ(500—700株/m~2)、Ⅱ(300—500株/m~2)、Ⅲ(100—300株/m~2)3个密度梯度,研究了尕海湿地不同密度条件下垂穗披碱草(Elymus nutans)的根系分形结构。结果表明:随着垂穗披碱草种群密度的降低,湿地群落的高度、盖度、地上生物量及根系分形维数呈逐渐减小趋势,地下生物量与分形丰度逐渐增大;垂穗披碱草根系分形维数与分形丰度在高密度(Ⅰ)样地和低密度(Ⅲ)样地均呈极显著负相关关系(P0.01),在中密度(Ⅱ)样地呈显著负相关关系(P0.05),垂穗披碱草根系分形维数和分形丰度存在着"此消彼长"的权衡关系。在高密度湿地群落垂穗披碱草倾向于密集型根系构型构建模式,在低密度湿地群落选择扩散型的根系生长模式,体现了密度制约下高寒湿地植物种群应对资源多重竞争的生态适应机制。     

塔克拉玛干沙漠南缘三种防护林植物根系构型及其生态适应策略

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

高寒草地狼毒枝-叶性状的坡度差异性

枝条与叶片的生长关系是植物形成不同冠层结构充分利用空间资源的一种策略, 有利于植株通过构型调整增强自身的光合效率和竞争力, 以适应不同的生境条件。在石羊河上游高寒退化草地, 利用ArcGIS建立研究区域的数字高程模型(DEM), 并提取样地坡度数据, 采用标准化主轴估计(SMA)方法, 研究了不同坡度狼毒(Stellera chamaejasme)种群枝与叶的生长。结果表明: 随着坡度增大, 狼毒叶大小、枝长度和分枝数均呈逐渐减小趋势; 狼毒分枝数与枝长度、叶片数与枝长度均呈异速生长关系, 枝长度增加的速度大于叶片数增加的速度, 分枝数增加的速度大于枝长度增加的速度; 不同坡度间的比较显示, 较大坡度上狼毒分枝数与枝长度、叶片数与枝长度的异速斜率均较大, 在枝长度一定的条件下, 较大坡度的狼毒具有更大的叶片数与枝长度的比值和分枝数与枝长度的比值。坡度差异造成环境因子和植被群落环境的变化, 进而影响狼毒的资源利用策略, 表现为枝条与叶片构型以及二者之间关系的变化, 反映了毒杂草较强表型可塑性的适应机制。     

干旱对杉木幼苗根系构型及非结构性碳水化合物的影响

通过比较不同时期不同强度干旱胁迫下杉木1年生盆栽苗地上部分生长、根系构型以及根系中非结构性碳水化合物含量（TNC）的变化,并分析各指标之间的相关性,探究杉木根系在干旱胁迫下的适应性策略以及抗旱生理机制,以期为杉木造林生产和水分管理提供科学依据和技术指导。结果表明：随着干旱程度的加强,杉木幼苗地上部分干重（SDW）、根干重（RDW）、根长（RL）、根表面积（SA）、根体积（RV）、根尖数（RT）、根系分支角度（Angle）、分形维数（FD）逐渐减小,根冠比（R/T）逐渐增大,根系拓扑指数（TI）、根系平均直径（RD）先增大后减小,比根长（SRL）先减小后增大。而根系连接长度（LL）、TNC、糖淀比在不同时期表现出不同的趋势。连接长度随着干旱胁迫的加强在30 d和60 d时表现出逐渐增加趋势而在90 d时则表现出先减小后增大的趋势。TNC在30 d和60 d时先增大后减小,但90 d时,呈逐渐下降的趋势。糖淀比随着干旱胁迫的加强在30 d和60 d时表现出先增加后减小趋势,90 d时,表现为先减小后增大。干旱胁迫显著影响根系在不同径级的分布长度,且随着胁迫时间的延长不断变化。杉木地上部分生长与根系生长指标（RL、SA、RV、RT、RDW）以及根系构型指标（Angle、FD）之间存在显著的正相关（P < 0.01）,根系平均直径与TNC存在显著的正相关（P < 0.05）。总之,杉木通过增加根系光合产物的积累、提高根系建成成本,增加有限成本下根系的复杂程度和延伸范围,降低根系分支角度,使根系"更陡更深"来适应不同强度的干旱胁迫。     

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

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

红砂幼苗根系形态特征和水分利用效率对土壤水分变化的响应

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

Rate of differentiation and emergence of nodal maize roots

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

Root System Asymmetry of Mediterranean Pines

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

孑遗蕨类中华水韭根系发育的研究

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

Nutrient uptake relationship to root characteristics of rice

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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