连作杨树人工林细根寿命的代际差异及其影响因素

细根寿命是调控森林生产力形成的关键。通过在连作Ⅰ、Ⅱ代杨树人工林固定样地内埋设微根管,对杨树不同根序细根年度生长动态开展连续观测并进行生存分析。结果表明,杨树不同根序细根累积生存率存在显著差异,高级根(3—5级)寿命较长,其累积生存率显著高于1级和2级细根。杨树细根寿命存在显著的代际差异,连作Ⅱ代人工林活根量、死根量和细根总量均高于Ⅰ代林。连作Ⅱ代人工林细根中位值寿命为(90±16)d,显著低于Ⅰ代人工林((102±22)d)。连作Ⅱ代林各根序细根数量、分布比例均高于Ⅰ代林,低级细根累积生存率低于Ⅰ代林而高级细根累积生存率显著高于Ⅰ代林。连作杨树人工林细根寿命显著受制于土壤环境,1级细根寿命与土壤速效氮相关性极显著(r=-0.861),2级细根寿命与土壤物理性状相关性较强且与土壤酚酸含量呈现极显著相关(r=0.870),高级根序细根寿命与土壤物理性质和养分状况等也具有一定相关性。连作杨树人工林土壤酚酸累积和养分有效性下降影响了细根寿命和周转,并进而造成净初级生产力损耗,相关结论为连作杨树人工林生产力衰退机理模型的建立提供了科学依据。     

杨树细根碳、氮含量的季节动态及代际差异

研究杨树人工林1～5级根序细根内碳、氮及非结构性碳水化合物含量的季节动态,对比了杨树细根碳氮分配格局的代际差异,以期建立细根生长和功能变化与连作人工林生产力衰退的联系.结果表明： 杨树细根非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)随根序显著增加,而氮含量显著减少.细根中全C和NSC含量与全N存在显著相关性.细根碳氮含量的变化在根序间的解释量占98.2%,而在代际间仅为1.7%.杨树不同根序细根均在生长季具有较高的碳含量和较低的氮含量,且碳、氮及NSC含量在代际间随季节差异显著,但C∶N差异不显著,根序与季节对细根碳氮含量存在显著交互效应.杨树低级细根C∶N约为20∶1,高级根则大于30∶1.细根C∶N在生长季(7和9月)显著低于其他季节,NSC含量在11月最高.连作人工林杨树细根的碳氮分配格局与细根根序具有较强的耦合性,NSC和C∶N在指示细根周转和调控细根季节性生长中具有重要生态学意义.     

拉萨河谷杨树人工林细根的生产力及其周转

通过土钻取样和分解袋法对拉萨河谷杨树人工林细根的生长和周转进行了测定.结果表明,在该地区杨树人工林生态系统中,约80%的细根集中分布在0～30cm土壤表层中;接近树木一侧的活(死)细根生物量均高于外侧,但二者未达到显著的差异;在生长季期间,活细根生物量平均为2.576 t · hm-2,死细根生物量平均为1.566 t · hm-2,生长高峰出现在生长季初期.经估算,拉萨河谷杨树人工林细根年生长量为3.030 t · hm-2,年周转率为1.18次;但受高原低温的影响,细根分解缓慢,分解系数k平均为0.0007～0.0008.细根的这种生长特征是杨树对高原地区短暂生长季节和雨热同季气候条件的一种适应性表现.     

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.     

华西雨屏区香樟人工林土壤表层细根生物量和碳储量

2010年11月-2011年12月, 研究了华西雨屏区31年生香樟人工林土壤表层(0～30 cm)细根生物量及碳储量.结果表明: 香樟人工林土壤0～30 cm层细根总生物量(活根+死根)和碳储量的平均值分别为1592.29 kg·hm^-2和660.68 kg C·hm^-2,其中活细根贡献率分别为91.1%和91.8%.随着土壤深度的增加,香樟1～5级活细根和死细根的生物量及碳储量均显著减少;随着根序等级的升高,香樟活细根生物量及碳储量显著增加.香樟细根总生物量及碳储量均在秋季最高、冬季最低,死细根生物量及碳储量为冬季最高、夏季最低;1级根和2级根生物量及碳储量均在夏季最高、冬季最低,而3~5级根则为秋季最高、冬季最低.土壤养分和水分的空间异质性是导致细根生物量和碳储量变化的主要原因.     

弓杠岭不同海拔云杉细根生物量及形态特征

海拔变化是多环境因子的梯度效应,细根作为植物吸收水分与养分的重要器官,其性状特征在指示植物的生长和分布等方面意义重大.该研究以弓杠岭2500～3300 m海拔地的云杉(Picea asperata)细根为研究对象,采用根序分级法对云杉1～5级根序的生物量及细根形态(平均直径、比根长、根长密度、比表面积)进行测定,以明确...     

异质养分环境中一年生分蘖草本黍根系的生长特征

为揭示黍（Panicum miliaceum L.)根系对异质养分环境的生长反应,作研究了黍根系从起始斑块向目标斑块水平生长时,时始斑块和目标斑块养分水平根生长的影响,就低养分起始珏块而言,粗根生物量,粗根长度,粗根表面积和细极长度在高养分目标斑块中的分配比例均小于其在低养分目标斑块中的分配比例,而细根长度及其密度,细根表面积指及其密度的变化恰好相反,就高养分起始斑块而言,高养分目标斑块的细根长度,细根长度密度,细根表面积指数和细根表面积密均不于低养分目标斑块,而粗根对目标斑块中养分状的反应不明显。当黍根系从桢的起始斑块进入不同的目标斑块后,目标斑块的养分状况对细根生物量及其分配无影响,而显影响细根长度和表现积,这指示细根是通过长度和表面积可塑性而不是生物量变化响应目标斑块中的养分差异。     

水曲柳和落叶松细根形态及母根与子根比例关系

细根（直径〈2mm）的分枝是根系重要的结构特征,不同根序等级的细根在养分和水分吸收、C的消耗和寿命方面具有较大的差异,定量研究各根序等级之间的比例关系对认识细根死亡的顺序具有重要的理论意义。根据Pregitzer等2002年提供的方法,研究了17年生水曲柳（Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr．）和落叶松（Larix gmelinii Rupr．）人工纯林1-5级细根的直径、长度、比根长、生物量和数量。结果表明,两树种细根中1级根序的数量占总根系数量80％-90％,它们直径小、长度短、比根长高。随着根序等级（1级-5级）的增加细根直径增粗和长度增加、比根长减小。细根的数量和生物量在上下土层的分布受土壤资源有效性的影响。水曲柳5级根序-2级根序之间母根与子根的数量关系是1：3,落叶松是1：2-3。2级根序与1级根序之间母根与子根的数量关系,水曲柳是1：10—12,落叶松是1：8。如果当年生长的1级细根当中保持1：3的比例,将有65％-75％的1级细根死亡,占根系总数的55％～65％,总长度的40％-50％,以及总生物量的20％-30％。     

岷江上游4个栽培树种细根功能性状垂直分布的差异性

细根(直径≤2 mm)功能性状及垂直分布格局是反映植物对土壤资源吸收策略和影响森林地下生态过程的关键。本研究以岷江上游4个人工林树种连香树(Cercidiphyllum japonicum)、白桦(Betula platyphylla)、华山松(Pinus armandii)和油松(P. tabuliformis)为对象,调查不同海拔树木细根功能性状及其在不同土层间的垂直分布格局,并分析细根功能性状分布与构型之间的相关关系。结果表明:阔叶树种比针叶树种有更大的根长密度、生物量、比根长和比表面积,而直径反之; 4个树种细根集中在0～20 cm土层,根长密度和生物量在较高海拔地段均显著大于较低海拔,且均随土壤深度增加而减少,但比根长、比表面积和直径无显著的海拔差异,随土层加深也无明显的垂直变化规律;针阔树种间的细根构型差异显著,但不受海拔差异的影响,阔叶树的细根分支强度与一级根数量显著大于针叶树种;一级根数和根尖密度与比根长以及分根比与根长密度和生物量均呈显著正相关,而分叉与几个细根功能参数均呈负相关;随着土层深度增加,细根总生长量明显减少,但细根资源利用效率和策略不变; 5个细根功能性状...     

不同林龄红锥人工林细根垂直分布和衰老生理特征

以广西桂东和桂南地区3种林龄(7、14和25 a)红锥人工林细根为对象,在红锥生长旺季,采用根钻法,分表层(0～20 cm)和亚表层土壤(20～40 cm)获取细根,研究不同林龄红锥人工林细根在不同土层的形态、生物量以及衰老生理生化指标变化特征,以期深入认识红锥生长发育机制及林分生产力,为红锥人工林可持续经营提供依据。结果表明:在相同土层中,随林龄增加,红锥细根根长密度、根表面积密度、生物量、比表面积、细根活力、可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量均显著增加,而比根长、游离脯氨酸和丙二醛(MDA)含量显著减少;在相同林龄下,随土壤深度增加,红椎细根比根长、比表面积、细根活力、各渗透调节物质含量均显著增加,而根长密度、表面积密度、生物量、MDA含量显著减少;林龄和土层的交互作用对细根生物量、可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白和MDA含量有显著影响。细根根长密度、根表面积密度和生物量与各土壤因子间呈显著正相关;细根游离脯氨酸含量与各土壤因子间呈显著负相关;细根活力、可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白仅与土壤含水率、速效氮呈显著正相关。因此,7 a红锥细根易衰老,更新快,14 a林次之,25 a林细根更新慢;表层土(0～20cm)的红锥细根代谢旺盛,周转速率快,寿命较短。     

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

Fine root tumover 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 Mav 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 (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 soil layer.RLD and SRL in May were the highestthe other months,and RLD was the lowest in Septemberdynamics 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.     

落叶松人工林细根动态与土壤资源有效性关系研究

树木细根在森林生态系统C和养分循环中具有重要的作用。由于温带土壤资源有效性具有明显的季节变化, 导致细根生物量、根长密度 (Rootlengthdensity, RLD) 和比根长 (Specificrootlength, SRL) 的季节性变化。以 17年生落叶松 (Larixgmelini) 人工林为研究对象, 采用根钻法从 5月到 10月连续取样, 研究了不同土层细根 (直径≤ 2mm) 生物量、RLD和SRL的季节动态, 以及这些根系指标动态与土壤水分、温度和N有效性的关系。结果表明 :1) 落叶松细根年平均生物量 (活根 +死根 ) 为 189.1g·m-2 ·a-1, 其中 5 0 %分布在表层 (0~ 10cm), 33%分布在亚表层 (11~ 2 0cm), 17%分布在底层 (2 1~ 30cm) 。活根和死根生物量在 5~ 7月以及 9月较高, 8月和 10月较低。从春季 (5月 ) 到秋季 (10月 ), 随着活细根生物量的减少, 死细根生物量增加 ;2 ) 土壤表层 (0~ 10cm) 具有较高的RLD和SRL, 而底层 (2 1~ 30cm) 最低。春季 (5月 ) 总RLD和SRL最高, 分别为 10 6 2 1.4 5m·m-3 和 14.83m·g-1, 到秋季 (9月 ) 树木生长结束后达到最低值, 分别为 2 198.2 0m·m-3 和 3.77m·g-1;3) 细根生物量、RLD和SRL与土壤水分、温度和有效N存在不同程度的相关性。从单因子分析来看, 土壤水分和有效N对细根的影响明显大于温度, 对活根的影响大于死根。由于土壤资源有效性的季节变化, 使得C的地下分配格局发生改变。各土层细根与有效性资源之间的相关性反映了细根功能季节性差异。细根 (生物量、RLD和SRL) 的季节动态 (5 8%~ 73%的变异 ) 主要由土壤资源有效性的季节变化引起。     

间伐对杉木不同根序细根形态、生物量和氮含量的影响

以25年生的杉木人工林为对象,研究了间伐对杉木1～5级根的生物量、形态和氮含量的影响.结果表明: 随着根序的增加,杉木细根的生物量、直径和组织密度(RTD)显著增加,而比根长(SRL)、根长密度(RLD)和根数(RN)显著降低.间伐显著提高了1～2级根的生物量、RLD和RN,以及1级和3～5级根的RTD,而对细根的SRL和氮含量无影响;1级和3～4级根的直径显著减小;表层(0～10 cm)土壤中的2级根直径明显小于亚表层(10～20 cm)土壤,而1～3级根的RLD和1～2级根的RN和氮含量均大于亚表层土壤.
间伐和土层的相互作用仅使1～2级根的直径减小.杉木细根的变化主要与间伐后的植被生长及更新密切相关.
     

水曲柳根系生物量、比根长和根长密度的分布格局

采用连续钻取土芯法在生长季内对东北林业大学帽儿山实验林场17年生水曲柳人工林根系取样,研究水曲柳不同直径根系现存生物量、比根长和根长密度及垂直分布状况.结果表明,水曲柳人工林根系总生物量为1 637.6 g·m^-2,其中活根生物量占85%,死根占15%.在活根生物量当中,粗根(直径5～30 mm)占的比例最高（69.95%）,其次为活细根（直径<1 mm,13.53%）,小根(1～2 mm)和中等直径的根(2～5 mm)比例较小（分别为7.21%和9.31%）.直径<1 mm活细根的比根长为32.20 m·g^-1,直径5～30 mm粗根的比根长为0.08 m·g^-1.单位面积上活根的总长度为6 602.54 m·m^-2,其中直径<1 mm的细根占92.43%,其它直径等级则不到活根总长度的8%.直径<1 mm的细根生物量与根长密度具显著线性关系（R²=0.923）,但与比根长无显著相关关系（R²=0.134）.     

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]     

黄土高原白羊草、沙棘和辽东栎细根比根长特性

以黄土高原地区典型草本（白羊草）、灌木（沙棘）和乔木（辽东栎）为对象,研究了3种植物细根比根长在不同土层的分布状况以及与其它细根参数和土壤物理因子之间的相关性。结果表明,3种植物细根比根长的变化范围为6～55ram／rag。在0,80cm土层,白羊草、沙棘和辽东栎细根比根长变化范围分别为18—55mm／mg,14—4JDmm／mg,6—33mm／mg。3种植物0--80cm土层平均细根比根长从大到小依次为白羊草〉沙棘〉辽东栎。3种植物0-10cm土层细根比根长依次为沙棘〉辽东栎〉白羊草,10-80cm依次为白羊草〉辽东栎〉沙棘,表明3种植物细根比根长不仅在这两土层中的分布不具一致性,而且与0-80cm土层平均比根长也不具有一致性,进一步说明3种植物沿土壤剖面的生物量分配策略不同。相关分析表明,3种植物细根比根长与其它细根参数之间的相互关系各不相同,制约程度存在差异。与土壤物理因子的相关分析表明,3种植物细根比根长均随土壤含水量的增加而减少。土壤各级水稳性团聚体和土壤颗粒对3种植物细根比根长并无一致的影响。     

水曲柳根系生物量、比根长和根长密度的分布格局

采用连续钻取土芯法在生长季内对东北林业大学帽儿山实验林场17年生水曲柳人工林根系取样,研究水曲柳不同直径根系现存生物量、比根长和根长密度及垂直分布状况.结果表明,水曲柳人工林根系总生物量为1 637.6 g·m^-2,其中活根生物量占85%,死根占15%.在活根生物量当中,粗根(直径5～30 mm)占的比例最高（69.95%）,其次为活细根（直径<1 mm,13.53%）,小根(1～2 mm)和中等直径的根(2～5 mm)比例较小（分别为7.21%和9.31%）.直径<1 mm活细根的比根长为32.20 m·g^-1,直径5～30 mm粗根的比根长为0.08 m·g^-1.单位面积上活根的总长度为6 602.54 m·m^-2,其中直径<1 mm的细根占92.43%,其它直径等级则不到活根总长度的8%.直径<1 mm的细根生物量与根长密度具显著线性关系（R²=0.923）,但与比根长无显著相关关系（R²=0.134）.     

施肥对日本落叶松人工林细根直径、根长和比根长的影响

以辽宁东部山区16年生日本落叶松人工林为研究对象,探讨施肥对日本落叶松1～5级根序中细根直径、根长和比根长的影响.结果表明：随着根序等级的增加,日本落叶松细根平均直径和根长显著增加（P<0。05,P<0。01）、比根长则显著下降（P<0。01）.在日本落叶松的5级根序中,1级根的平均直径最细、根长最短、比根长最高,而5级根则相反;随着根序等级的增加,日本落叶松细根平均直径、根长和比根长的变异系数逐渐增大.除1级根外,土层对细根的平均直径、根长和比根长没有显著影响(P>0。05).与对照样地相比,施肥对各级细根平均直径、根长和比根长的影响主要表现在1～2级根上,对3级根序以上的细根影响不显著（P>0.05）.其中,施氮肥显著降低了1～2级根的平均直径（P<0.05）,施氮肥以及氮磷肥显著降低了表层土壤（0～10 cm）中1级根的平均根长（P<0.05）,表层土壤中细根的比根长在施氮肥的条件下显著增加（P<0.05）.     

Interactive effects of phenolic acid and nitrogen on morphological traits of poplar (Populus × euramericana ‘Neva’) fine roots

Aims The relationship between rhizosphere process and fine root growth is very close but still obscure. In poplar plantation, phenolic acid rhizodeposition and soil nutrient availability were considered as two dominant factors of forest productivity decline. It is very hard to separate them in the field and they might show an interactive effect on fine root growth. The objective of this study is to examine the influence of phenolic acids and nitrogen on branch orders of poplar fine roots and to give a deeper insight into how the ecological process on root-soil interface affected fine root growth as well as plantation productivity. Methods The cuttings of health annual poplar seedlings (I-107, Populus × euramericana ‘Neva’) serve as experiment materials, and were cultivated under nine conditions, including three concentration of phenolic acids at 0X, 0.5X, 1.0X (here, X represented the contents of phenolic acids in the soil of poplar plantation) and three concentration of nitrogen at 0 mmol·L^-1, 10 mmol·L^-1, 20 mmol·L^-1, based on Hoagland solution. The roots were all separated from poplar seedlings after 35 days, and 30 percent of total fine roots of every treatment were taken as fine root samples. These fine roots were grouped according to 1 to 5 branch orders, and then the morphological traits of each group of fine roots were scanned via root analyzer system (WinRHIZO, Regent Instruments Company, Quebec, Canada) including total length, surface area, volume and average diameter. Meanwhile, the dry mass of fine root samples of every order was measured to calculate specific root length (SRL), root tissue density (RTD). All data were analyzed via SPSS 17.0 software, and interactive effect of phenolic acids and nitrogen on roots was analyzed through univariate process module. Principal component analysis (PCA) and redundancy analysis (RDA) were conducted via Canoco 4.5 software. Important findings Under the conditions without phenolic acids application, the fine roots growth was significantly inhibited in deficiency and higher nitrogen treatments, especially for 1-3 order roots. Only specific root length appeared decreased with nitrogen level, and other traits of fine roots did not demonstrate linear relationship with nitrogen concentrations. Compared to 0.5X phenolic acids treatment, 1.0X phenolic acids significantly promoted the diameter and volume of 1-2 order roots (p < 0.05). Both phenolic acids and nitrogen demonstrated influence on poplar fine root traits. However, the diameter and volume of 1-2 order roots were significantly affected by phenolic acids, while the total length and surface area of 4-5 order roots was affected by nitrogen. Two way ANOVA showed that phenolic acids and nitrogen made a synergistic or antagonistic effect on morphological building of fine roots. Furthermore, PCA and RDA indicated that the interactive effects of phenolic acids and nitrogen led to significant differences among 1-3 order, 4th order and 5th order of poplar fine roots. The PC1 explained about 60.9 percent of root morphological variance, which was related to foraging traits of roots. The PC2 explained 25.3 percent of variance, which was related to root building properties. The response of poplar roots to phenolic acids and nitrogen was closely related to root order, and nitrogen played more influence on poplar roots than phenolic acids. Thus, phenolic acids and nitrogen level would affect many properties of root morphology and foraging in rhizosphere soil of poplar plantation. But nitrogen availability would serve as a dominant factor influencing root growth, and soil nutrient management should be critical to productivity maintenance of poplar plantation.