Simulation model of soil compaction and root growth

Soil compaction is a widespread cause of reduced plant productivity. If the effects of soil compaction on plant growth are to be reproduced in simulation models, then the processes through which compaction reduces root elongation must be expressed mathematically and then tested against experimental data. The mathematical theory by which these processes may be represented is given in the accompanying article. In this article, the behavior of a simulation model based on this theory is tested against data for root growth and soil gas concentration recorded from soil columns of which the middle layers were compacted to different bulk densities. The model was able to reproduce the failure of the root system to penetrate the compacted middle layer within the period of the experiment when bulk density exceeded 1.55 Mg m^-3. The model also reproduced decreases in O₂ concentrations, and increases in CO₂ concentrations, in the atmospheres of the compacted layer and of the uncompacted layer below it as bulk density of the compacted layer increased. The simulated time course of O₂ and nutrient uptake and of O₂ concentrations in the compacted layer at different depths is presented and its consistency with experimental findings is examined. As part of a larger ecosystem model, this model will be useful in estimating site-specific effects of soil compaction on carbon cycling in agroecosystems.     

The effect of soil compaction on germination and early growth of Eucalyptus albens and an exotic annual grass

Most agricultural land has been compacted to some degree by heavy machinery or livestock trampling. This legacy is expected to influence the success of tree seedling recruits in farmland areas where natural regeneration is being encouraged. We investigated the impact of soil compaction on seedlings of a woodland eucalypt (Eucalyptus albens) and an annual grass competitor (Vulpia myuros) in a laboratory experiment. Replicate soil cores were created at five bulk density levels; 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 or 1.4 Mg m^?3 with a soil water content of 20%. The depth of root penetration declined linearly with increasing bulk density, resulting in a decrease in root depth of around 75% in the most compacted soil compared with the least compacted soil for both species. Shoot length and primary root length did not vary between soil bulk density levels for either species, but seedlings responded to increasing levels of compaction with oblique (non‐vertical) root growth. Results suggest that young seedlings of both E. albens and V. myuros will be more susceptible to surface drying in compacted than uncompacted soils and therefore face a greater risk of desiccation during the critical months following germination. Any competitive advantage that V. myuros may have over E. albens is not evident in differential response to soil compaction.     

不同质地土壤对花生根系生长、分布和产量的影响

为了探究土壤类型与花生(Arachis hypogaea)根系生长及产量之间的关系, 采用箱栽的方法, 研究了不同质地土壤(砂土、壤土、黏土)对花生根系生长、分布和产量的影响。砂土和壤土中花生根系干物质重各时期均显著高于黏土中, 但生育后期黏土中花生根系干物质重比壤土和砂土下降相对较慢。从不同类型土壤质地根系分布及根系活力来看, 黏土根系主要分布在上层土壤, 但上层土壤根系活力后期下降慢; 砂土有利于花生根系向深层土壤生长, 但上层土壤根系活力后期下降快; 而壤土对花生根系生长和活力时空分布的影响介于黏土和砂土之间。砂土有利于花生荚果的膨大, 且花生荚果干物质积累早而快, 但后期荚果干物质重积累少; 壤土的花生荚果干物质积累中后期多, 黏土则在整个生育期均不利于花生荚果干物质积累。最终荚果产量、籽仁产量和有效果数均表现为壤土最大、砂土次之、黏土最小。研究表明通气性和保肥保水能力居中的壤土更适合花生的根系生长发育及产量的形成。     

Green manures of oat,rape and sweet corn for reducing common root rot in pea (Pisum sativum) caused by Aphanomyces euteiches

Green manure crops of sweet corn, soybean, alfalfa, snap bean, rape, pea and of the two oat cultivars Dane and Troy were incorporated into the same soil and containers in which the crop had grown for five weeks. The soil was then evaluated for suppression of common root rot (Aphanomyces euteiches) of pea grown in infested pasteurized and non-pasteurized soils in the greenhouse. Pea biomass reduction and a plant bioassay for A. euteiches were used to measure the green manure suppression of disease. Green manures of sweet corn cv.Jubilee, oat cv.Troy, and rape cv.Humus significantly reduced pea biomass losses over the non-amended control soil treatments. Oat cv.Troyand sweet corn cv.Jubilee green manures significantly reduced inoculum density of A. euteiches over the corresponding fallow controls in inoculated pasteurized soil by 87% and 76%, respectively, and in inoculated non-pasteurized soil by 67% and 66%, respectively. Only the green manure of oat cv. Troy reduced inoculum density significantly below fallow.     

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.     

土壤增温对杉木幼苗细根生长量及形态特征的影响

为了揭示杉木人工林对全球变暖的地下响应,在福建省三明市陈大国有林场开展杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata)幼苗土壤增温试验,采用内生长环法探讨增温实验开始后第2年(2015年1月、7月取样)和第3年(2016年1月、7月取样)杉木幼苗细根生长量和形态特征(比根长,SRL;比表面积,SRA;组织密度,RTD)的变化。结果表明:(1)随着苗木的生长,土壤增温对细根生长量的影响趋势是先抑制,再无显著影响,最后促进。(2)土壤增温对细根形态特征的影响在不同取样时间有差异:土壤增温对7月份(夏季)取样的细根SRL或SRA有显著促进作用,对1月份(冬季)取样的细根SRL、SRA均无显著影响。(3)土壤增温对第二、第三次取样的1—2 mm细根RTD有促进作用。表明土壤增温对杉木幼苗细根生长量的影响与苗木生长阶段有关;同时苗木可通过细根形态的调整(增大SRL和RTD)以适应土壤增温引起的土壤资源变化和环境胁迫,维持自身的生长。     

氮肥运筹对免耕水稻根系生长、根际土壤特性及产量的影响

为探索氮肥运筹对免耕条件下水稻根系生长以及对根际土壤特性、产量的影响,以金优253为材料进行试验。结果表明：平衡施肥显著提高单株根系干重、根长、单株生物量、根半径、单株根表面积、根长密度及根系活力,实收单产高于重穗肥和重基肥处理,且与重基肥差异达95％的显著水平,主要是有效穗数、结实率的增加。平衡施肥显著提高0~10 cm土层的0~2 mm根际土壤有机质、碱解氮含量及脲酶、蔗糖酶活性。因此平衡施肥能明显促进免耕水稻根系生长和有效穗数的增加,对提高水稻产量具有促进作用。     

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.     

Effect of phosphate and the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices on disease severity of root rot of peas (Pisum sativum) caused by Aphanomyces euteiches

 The effects of inorganic phosphate levels and the presence of arbuscular mycorrhiza on disease severity of Aphanomyces euteiches in pea roots were studied. Disease severity on roots and epicotyl as well as the oospore number within infected root tissue were correlated with the phosphorus (P) level in the growth medium. The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices increased P uptake and the P concentration in the plant but reduced disease development in peas. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by densitometry of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase specific to A.euteiches was used to measure the activity of the pathogen in roots. The enzyme activity increased with disease severity and disease incidence, except in plants supplemented with P at the highest level, where a peak in activity was seen 12 days after inoculation with the pathogen, followed by a decrease in activity. The epicotyl of mycorrhizal plants showed a reduction in disease severity although this part of the plants was not mycorrhizal. Thus, an induced systemic factor may be responsible for increased resistance in mycorrhizal plants. Accepted: 21 August 1998     

Influence of pastoral fallow on plant root growth and soil physical and chemical characteristics in a hill pasture

Pastoral fallowing over a growing season (October–May) has a profound effect on standing biomass and sward structure, and should have an impact on below ground plant growth and soil biological activities. Two field studies were conducted to compare the effects of pastoral fallow with rotational grazing on root growth and soil physical and chemical properties. Root growth and distribution was altered by pastoral fallowing and there was significantly (P < 0.01) less root biomass at 0–50 mm depth of soil in the fallowed sward than the grazed sward. Compared with the grazed treatment, pastoral fallow increased soil air permeability at 500 mm tension by 38%, saturated hydraulic conductivity by 26%, unsaturated hydraulic conductivity at 20 mm tension by 67% and soil moisture by 10–15%, and reduced soil bulk density by 11%. Fallowing had little effect on soil nutrients both at the end of fallowing, except for small reductions in K and Mineral N levels at 0–75 mm soil depth, and two to three years after fallowing.     

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.     

黄土高原21种造林树种的苗木根系活力与土壤含水量关系的研究

通过盆栽试验,测定了不同水分条件下21种苗木的根系活力状况,结果表明：各种苗木可以在一定的土壤干旱范围内适应环境变化。但当土壤含水量低于一定的临界值后,苗木根系将逐步丧失其活力和功能,最终地上部分死亡。苗木的根系活力不仅与土壤含水量有关,而且能在短时间内适应干旱,从而维持较高的根活力水平。在试验苗木当中,耐旱性较强的树种有：山杏、软枣、核桃、枣树、桑树等(经济树种)和国槐(阔叶树种)、侧柏(针叶树种)及紫穗槐、大叶黄杨(灌木)等,其中山杏、软枣、核桃、桑树、侧柏则表现更为突出。     

The role of soil hydraulic conductivity on the spatial and temporal variation of root water uptake in drip-irrigated corn

A multiplexed TDR system and a heat-pulse system for stem sap flow measurements were used to determine the spatial and temporal pattern of root water uptake in field-grown corn. The TDR probes, 0.15 and 0.30 m in length, were buried vertically in the soil profile to a depth of 0.95 m below the soil surface and heat-pulse sensors were installed on the plant base. Nocturnal readings from TDR probes were used successfully to differentiate the two components of moisture change: root uptake and net drainage. The instantaneous rate of water extraction by the plant measured by the heat-pulse system agreed well with the integrated rate of root water uptake measured frequently (at half-hour or hourly intervals) by the TDR probes. This agreement enabled further exploration into the cause of the evolution of the spatial and temporal patterns of root water uptake during a drying cycle. The results indicated that right after irrigation in the well-watered soil profile, it is the spatial distribution of the roots that mainly determines the typical pattern of root extraction, in addition to the fact that the roots near the plant base are more effective than those farther away. The higher density and effectiveness of the roots near the plant base dry the soil rapidly so that soil hydraulic conductivity soon becomes a limiting factor for water uptake. Further analysis revealed that a decrease in root uptake occurs near the plant base under a given atmospheric demand when the relative bulk soil hydraulic conductivity decreases to 0.002K _r. This suggests that low conductivity (high resistance) in the soil near the plant base is the initial cause for downward and lateral shifting of the root uptake pattern. Note that this critical value of hydraulic conductivity is not universal since it depends on the soil type and atmospheric water demand during the period under observation. Therefore, prior to the application of moisture content or suction head as measures of water availability or to control irrigation scheduling, it is suggested that these parameters be calibrated by the soil K() or K() curves, respectively, for the expected atmospheric water demand for the specific crop and growing period.     

小麦开花期灌水对土壤养分及根系分布的影响

本研究通过分析开花期灌水对小麦产量、植株养分分配和土壤养分分布的影响及其与根系特性的关系,为小麦充分利用水肥资源提供理论支撑。以抗旱高产品种‘洛麦28'和高光效品种‘百农207'为材料,采用2 m深土柱栽培方法,设置开花期灌水(T₁)和开花期不灌水(T₂)两个水分处理,测定了不同组织器官、不同土层土壤氮、磷、钾含量及根系分布特性等指标。结果表明: 小麦收获期土壤中铵态氮、速效磷和速效钾主要分布在0～80 cm土层中,硝态氮主要分布在80 cm以下土层中,开花期灌水促进小麦吸收0～60 cm土层的铵态氮、速效磷、速效钾和80 cm以下土层的硝态氮,减少了硝态氮向深层土壤的淋溶;小麦根系主要集中在0～60 cm土层中,随土壤深度的增加而减少。成熟期干物质积累量、全氮和全磷主要分配在小麦籽粒中,而全钾主要分配在茎秆中;开花期灌水显著增加了小麦百粒重,提高了小麦产量;根系形态指标与土壤硝态氮在0～40 cm土层中呈显著负相关,与土壤铵态氮在80～100 cm土层中呈极显著正相关,与土壤速效磷在0～100 cm土层中呈显著正相关。开花期灌水促进了根系在小麦生育末期对土壤养分的充分吸收,延长了养分从营养器官向生殖器官的转运功能期,使营养器官中的养分充分地转运到籽粒中去,增加小麦粒重,进而提高产量。     

Contribution of root cap mucilage and presence of an intact root cap in maize (Zea mays) to the reduction of soil mechanical impedance

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The impedance to root growth imposed by soil can be decreased by both mucilage secretion and the sloughing of border cells from the root cap. The aim of this study is to quantify the contribution of these two factors for maize root growth in compact soil. METHODS: These effects were evaluated by assessing growth after removing both mucilage (treatment I -- intact) and the root cap (treatment D -- decapped) from the root tip, and then by adding back 2 micro L of mucilage to both intact (treatment IM -- intact plus mucilage) and decapped (treatment DM -- decapped plus mucilage) roots. Roots were grown in either loose (0.9 Mg m(-3)) or compact (1.5 Mg m(-3)) loamy sand soils. Also examined were the effects of decapping on root penetration resistance at three soil bulk densities (1.3, 1.4 and 1.5 Mg m(-3)). KEY RESULTS: In treatment I, mucilage was visible 12 h after transplanting to the compact soil. The decapping and mucilage treatments affected neither the root elongation nor the root widening rates when the plants were grown in loose soil for 12 h. Root growth pressures of seminal axes in D, DM, I and IM treatments were 0.328, 0.288, 0.272 and 0.222 MPa, respectively, when the roots were grown in compact soil (1.5 Mg m(-3) density; 1.59 MPa penetrometer resistance). CONCLUSIONS: The contributions of mucilage and presence of the intact root cap without mucilage to the lubricating effect of root cap (percentage decrease in root penetration resistance caused by decapping) were 43 % and 58 %, respectively. The lubricating effect of the root cap was about 30 % and unaffected by the degree of soil compaction (for penetrometer resistances of 0.52, 1.20 and 1.59 MPa).     

Response of citronella Java (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) to VA mycorrhizal fungi and soil compaction in relation to P supply

Nutrient acquisition and growth of citronella Java (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) was studied in a P-deficient sandy soil to determine the effects of mycorrhizal symbiosis and soil compaction. A pasteurized sandy loam soil was inoculated either with rhizosphere microorganisms excluding VAM fungi (non-mycorrhizal) or with the VAM fungus, Glomus intraradices Schenck and Smith (mycorrhizal) and supplied with 0, 50 or 100 mg P kg^-1 soil. The soil was compacted to a bulk density of 1.2 and 1.4 Mg m^-3 (dry soil basis). G. intraradices substantially increased root and shoot biomass, root length, nutrient (P, Zn and Cu) uptake per unit root length and nutrient concentrations in the plant, compared to inoculation with rhizosphere microorganisms when the soil was at the low bulk density and not amended with P. Little or no plant response to the VAM fungus was observed when the soil was supplied with 50 or 100 mg P kg^-1 soil and/or compacted to the highest bulk density. At higher soil compaction and P supply the VAM fungus significantly reduced root length. Non-mycorrhizal plants at higher soil compaction produced relatively thinner roots and had higher concentrations and uptake of P, Zn and Cu than at lower soil compaction, particularly under conditions of P deficiency. The quality of citronella Java oil measured in terms citronellal and d-citronellol concentration did not vary appreciably due to various soil treatments.     

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]     

Fluctuations of the soil environment and fine root growth in a young Sitka spruce plantation

Summary From soil cores extracted at 5 day intervals from 3 May to 6 August it was found that the biomass of fine roots in a Sitka spruce plantation, 14 years old, fluctuated with maxima in late May and mid July. The earlier peak coincides with increasing soil temperatures during a period of high incident precipitation and the latter developed when the soil profile was rewetted. Fine root biomass and soil moisture tension (SMT) were significantly and negatively correlated in three of four soil horizons. Root mortality occurred whenever incident precipitation failed to maintain soil moisture tension near zero. In the very open pored horizons the critical SMT for root death was unexpected small, <0.1 bars; in the peat horizons it wasc 0.2 bars.     

Improvement of degraded physical properties of a saline-sodic soil by reclamation with kallar grass (Leptochloa fusca)

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of growing salt tolerant plants to improve the physical characteristics of a saline-sodic soil. Kallar grass [Leptochloa fusca (L.) Kunth], a species tolerant to salinity, sodicity and alkalinity, was irrigated for five years with poor quality ground water (EC = 0.14 S m^–1, SAR_adj=19.3, RSC = 9.7 meq L^–1). The soil physical properties of plant available water, saturated hydraulic conductivity, structural stability, bulk density and porosity were determined at the end of each year. The growth of kallar grass for three years significantly improved the physical properties of the soil and these were maintained with further growth of grass up to five years. Kallar grass significantly increased plant available water with time (r=0.97^**). The available water was highly correlated (r=0.92^**) with increases in soil organic matter content, porosity (r=0.99^**) and other physical properties. Soil hydraulic conductivity increased substantially with time from 0.035 to 55.6 mm d^–1 in the topsoil (0–20 cm) in five years and was significantly correlated with porosity, water retention, structural stability and organic matter content of soil. The soil structural stability index improved significantly from 32 to 151 with kallar grass and showed greater increases in the surface soil than at depth. The cropping of kallar grass resulted in a linear increase of soil organic matter content (r=0.92^**) which improved porosity and other soil physical properties (r0.82^*). This study confirmed that kallar grass is effective for rehabilitation and restoration of soil fertility in saline-sodic areas on a sustainable basis.