Density of organic carbon in soil at coniferous forest sites in southern Finland

More detailed knowledge of the density of organic carbon in soils of boreal forests is needed for accurate estimates of the size of this C stock. We investigated the effect of vegetation type and associated site fertility on the C density at 30 mature coniferous forest sites in southern Finland and evaluated the importance of deep layers to the total C store in the soil by extending the sampling at eight of the sites to the depth of ground water level (2.4–4.6 m). The C density in the organic horizon plus 1 m thick mineral soil layer ranged from 4.0 kg/m² to 11.9 kg/m², and, on the average, increased towards the more productive vegetation types. Between the depth of 1 m and the ground water level the C density averaged 1.3–2.4 kg/m² at the studied vegetation types and these layers represented 18–28% of the total stock of C in the soil. The results emphasize the importance of also considering these deep layers to correctly estimate the total amount of C in these soils. At the least fertile sites the soil contained about 30% more C than phytomass, whereas at the more fertile sites the amount of C in soil was about 10% less than the amount bound in vegetation.     

秦岭松栎混交林群落的稳定性

松栎混交林是秦岭最为典型的森林类型之一,其稳定性程度对于秦岭生物多样性维持、水碳平衡及气候调节等至关重要。以秦岭火地塘林区松栎混交林28个样地为研究对象,对28个群落指标进行调查,通过主成分分析,得出稳定性综合指数值(F)并进行Ward聚类,采用Mantel-最优聚类簇数分析确定最优聚类簇数,对通过F值聚类的样地进行分组划分,确定稳定性等级。结果表明:松栎混交林的稳定性分为3个等级,稳定性高的样地:F值在0.66—1.13之间,平均林龄58a,占样地总数的39.3%;稳定性中等的样地:F值在-0.28—0.34之间,平均林龄46a,占样地总数的42.8%,稳定性低的样地:F值在-2.34—-1.26之间,平均林龄42a,占样地总数的17.9%。前3个主成分中灌木层、草本层多样性指数、海拔、土壤水分物理指标,林分密度和优势树种胸径荷载较大,是影响群落稳定性的主要因子。F值与乔木层Shannon-Wiener指数、灌木层Simpson指数、草本层物种丰富度线性拟合均达到极显著水平(P0.01),与海拔和坡度多元曲线拟合达到极为显著的水平(R2=0.786,p0.0001)。在海拔1212—1708 m,坡度31—49°的生境,松栎混交林的稳定性较大,在海拔1900 m以上的生境,松栎混交林稳定性较低。     

Fibrous carrot root responses to irrigation and compaction of sandy and organic soils

Field experiments were performed in Southern Finland on fine sand and organic soil in 1990 and 1991 to study carrot roots. Fall ploughed land was loosened by rotary harrowing to a depth of 20 cm or compacted under moist conditions to a depth of 25–30 cm by three passes of adjacent wheel tracks with a tractor weighing 3 Mg, in April were contiguously applied across the plot before seed bed preparation. Sprinkler irrigation (30 mm) was applied to fine sand when moisture in the 0–15 cm range of soil depth was 50% of plant-available water capacity. For root sampling, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cylinders (30 × 60 cm) were installed in the rows of experimental plots after sowing, and removed at harvest. Six carrot plants were grown in each of in these soil colums in situ in the field.Fine root length and width were quantified by image analysis. Root length density (RLD) per plant was 0.2–1.0 cm cm^-3 in the 0–30 cm range. The fibrous root system of one carrot had total root lengths of 130–150 m in loose fine sand and 180–200 m in compacted fine sand. More roots were observed in irrigated than non-irrigated soils. In the 0–50 cm range of organic soil, 230–250 m of root length were removed from loosened organic soils and 240–300 m from compacted soils. Specific root surface area (surface area divided by dry root weight) of a carrot fibrous root system averaged 1500–2000 cm² g^-1. Root length to weight ratios of 250–350 m g^-1 effectively compare with the ratios of other species.Fibrous root growth was stimulated by soil compaction or irrigation to a depth of 30 cm, in both the fine sand and organic soils, suggesting better soil water supply in compacted than in loosened soils. Soil compaction increased root diameters more in fine sand than it did in organic soil. Most of the root length in loosened soils (fine sand 90%, organic soil 80%) and compacted soils (fine sand 80%, organic soil 75%) was composed of roots with diameters of approximately 0.15 mm. With respect to dry weight, length, surface area and volume of the fibrous root system, all the measurements gave significant resposes to irrigation and soil compaction. Total root volumes in the 0–50 cm of soil were 4.3 cm³ and 9.8 cm³ in loosened fine sand and organic soils, respectively, and 6.7 cm³ and 13.4 cm³ in compacted sand and organic soils, respectively. In fine sand, irrigation increased the volume from 4.8 to 6.3 cm³.     

Growth response of coffee tree shoots and roots to subsurface liming

In the greenhouse growth of two coffee-tree varieties, Catuaí (sensitive) and Icatu (tolerant) to aluminum, was evaluated in surface-fertilized and limed soil following subsurface treatment with seven lime levels (0.0; 0.49; 1.7; 2.9; 4.1; 6.6 and 9.3 t/ha). Plants were grown for 6.5 months in soils in PVC columns, subdivided into two horizons. In the lower 12 – 34 cm depth horizon, soil Al saturation varied between 93 and 0%. For both varieties evaluated, shoot dry weight and leaf area remained unchanged following limestone application. This fact shows that surface layer correction permitted normal shoot growth. High Al saturation resulted in decrease of root dry weight percent, root length percent and root surface percent in the 12–34 cm horizon, which were compensated by higher percentages of these properties in the upper 0–12 cm horizon. The ratio between root surface – root dry matter (cm²/g) of Catuaí variety was increased by limestone application to the lower soil horizons, indicating that roots turn longer and thinner, when Al soil saturation decreased. This also shows a great sensitivity to Al of the Catuaí variety. In contrast, in the Icatu variety, all root characteristics remained stable at all levels of Al tested.     

Size and Structure of Fine Root Systems in Old-growth and Secondary Tropical Montane Forests (Costa Rica)

The fine root systems of three tropical montane forests differing in age and history were investigated in the Cordillera Talamanca, Costa Rica. We analyzed abundance, vertical distribution, and morphology of fine roots in an early successional forest (10–15 years old, ESF), a mid‐successional forest (40 years old, MSP), and a nearby undisturbed old‐growth forest (OGF), and related the root data to soil morphological and chemical parameters. The OGF stand contained a 19 cm deep organic layer on the forest floor (i.e., 530 mol C/m²), which was two and five times thicker than that of the MSF (10 cm) and ESF stands (4 cm), respectively. There was a corresponding decrease in fine root biomass in this horizon from 1128 g dry matter/m² in the old‐growth forest to 337 (MSF) and 31 g/m² (ESF) in the secondary forests, although the stands had similar leaf areas. The organic layer was a preferred substrate for fine root growth in the old‐growth forest as indicated by more than four times higher fine root densities (root mass per soil volume) than in the mineral topsoil (0–10 cm); in the two secondary forests, root densities in the organic layer were equal to or lower than in the mineral soil. Specific fine root surface areas and specific root tip abundance (tips per unit root dry mass) were significantly greater in the roots of the ESF than the MSF and OGF stands. Most roots of the ESF trees (8 abundant species) were infected by VA mycorrhizal fungi; ectomycorrhizal species (Quercus copeyemis and Q. costaricensis) were dominant in the MSF and OGF stands. Replacement of tropical montane oak forest by secondary forest in Costa Rica has resulted in (1) a large reduction of tree fine root biomass; (2) a substantial decrease in depth of the organic layer (and thus in preferred rooting space); and (3) a great loss of soil carbon and nutrients. Whether old–growth Quercus forests maintain a very high fine root biomass because their ectomycorrhizal rootlets are less effective in nutrient absorption than those of VA mycorrhizal secondary forests, or if their nutrient demand is much higher than that of secondary forests (despite a similar leaf area and leaf mass production), remains unclear.     

Characterization of solid and dissolved carbon in a spruce-fir Spodosol

Organic substances are an integral part of the biogeochemistry of many elements in forest ecosystems. However, our understanding of the composition, chemistry, and reactions of these materials are incomplete and sometimes inconsistent. Therefore, we examined in detail dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in forest floor leachates over a two-year period (1992–1993), soil C, and DOC adsorption by a mineral soil to determine the relationship between soil solid and solution C characteristics in a spruce-fir ecosystem. The structural composition of DOC, DOC fractions (hydrophobic and hydrophilic acids, hydrophilic neutrals), and soil samples from the organic and mineral horizons were also analyzed using¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.Total DOC in forest floor leachates ranged from 7.8 to 13.8 mmol L^–1 with an average of 8.6 mmol L^–1. Concentrations were highest in September of both 1992 and 1993. Fractionation of the forest floor DOC indicated these solutions contained high organic acid contents that averaged 92% of the total DOC. Hydrophobic acids were also preferentially adsorbed by the B horizon. The¹³C NMR data suggested alkyl, carbohydrate, aromatic, and carboxylic C were the primary constituents for organic and mineral soils, DOC, and DOC fractions. Compositional changes of C were observed as aromatic and carbohydrate decreased, whereas alkyl, methoxy, and carbonyl moieties increased with depth. However, C composition changed little among the three organic layers based on the similarity of alkyl/carbohydrates ratios as determined from NMR area integration, suggesting that in this acid soil, decomposition proceeds rather slowly. Hydrophobic acids contained high contents of aromatic C, whereas hydrophilic acids were comprised primarily of carboxylic C. Hydrophilic neutrals were rich in carbohydrate C. Results indicated that these DOC fractions were unaltered during the isolation process. Carboxylic C groups appeared to dissolve easily and were probably the primary contributor to organic acidity in our organic dominate leachates. Results also suggested that DOC materials adsorbed on the B horizon underwent further biodegradation. Several seasonal patterns of C composition were observed in the forest floor leachates and DOC fractions collected between 1992 and 1993.Overall, the evidence from this study suggested that (i) DOC levels were mainly controlled by biological activity, (ii) forest floor DOC was comprised primarily of organic acids, (iii) contact of soil leachates with B horizon material affected DOC quantitatively and qualitatively, (iv) phenolic, carboxylic, and carbonyl C appeared to dissolve readily in the forest Oa horizon, (v) DOC materials adsorbed on the B horizon selectively underwent further decomposition, and (vi) C composition is a function of the extent of decomposition and DOC fractions.     

Does liquid fertilization affect fine root dynamics and lifespan of mycorrhizal short roots?

We studied effects of nitrogen, other nutrients and water (liquid fertilization; LF) on fine root dynamics (production, mortality) and life span of mycorrhizal short roots in a Norway spruce stand, using minirhizotrons. Data were collected and analyzed during a two-year period at depths of 0–20 cm, 21–40 cm and 41–85 cm, six years after the start of treatment. Relative to control (C), root production was lower in LF plots at depth 0–20 cm. Root production increased significantly at depth 41–85 cm. Fine root mortality in LF plots was higher at all depths. Life span of mycorrhizal short roots in LF plots was significantly lower than C plots and at the end of the study no mycorrhizal short roots were alive. It is suggested that the water and nitrogen input lower longevity of mycorrhizal short roots and promote fine root production at deeper soil layers.     

Seasonal variations in the spatial distribution of root tips in teak (Tectonia grandis Linn. f.) plantations in the Varanasi Forest Division,India

Summary Seasonal variations in the spatial distribution of root tips were studied in 19 and 29 year old teak plantations, located on red and alluvial soils respectively. The pattern was essentially similar at both sites, but generally the alluvial soil site exhibited a greater number of root tips. Root tips decreased with increasing distance from the tree base. Through-out most of the year the relative distribution of root tips decreased with depth; the difference between 0–10 and 10–20 cm depths was marginal, but 20–40 cm depth contained distinctly fewer root tips. At all distances a similar seasonal trend was noticed, a mid rainy season peak being followed by a steady decline until the dry summer except for an abrupt rise to a smaller peak in February after the winter rains.The root tip density was positively correlated with the 2 mm root biomass and both showed a similar bimodal annual cycle. Of three environmental variables studied, soil moisture and rainfall were significantly positively correlated with root tip densityl the relationship between soil temperature and root tip density was negative and non-significant. The combined effect of soil moisture and temperature on root tip density, evaluated by a multiple regression model, accounted for 80–95% of the variation in root tip density.     

Effect of irrigation frequency on root water uptake in sugar beet

A 2-year trial was performed on autumn-sown sugar beet grown in pots in order to study the influence of irrigation frequency on the water used by plants along the soil profile. The outdoor pots, containing one plant each, were 1.3 m high and had circular openings, through which Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) apparatus wave guides could be inserted. Three irrigation intervals were compared and plants were watered whenever the soil layer explored by roots had lost 30% (SWD₁), 50% (SWD₂) and 70% (SWD₃) of the total available water (TAW). During the irrigation season, the water extracted by the plants from each layer along the soil profile (RWU) was determined by monitoring volumetric soil moisture content (), by TDR. At harvest time, root length density (RLD) along the soil profile was assessed using the Tennant method. The applied irrigation frequencies significantly affected the RWU. With the SWD₃ protocol, irrigation was at longer irrigation intervals (9 days) and watering volumes were as high as 84 mm. In this treatment, the plants lost almost 60% of total water from the lower soil layer (0.6–1.0 m). In treatment SWD₁, the irrigation interval was very short (3 days), and water extraction from 0.0–0.6 m soil depth was 92.0%. In the intermediate treatment, the irrigation interval was 5.5 days and a more uniform water depletion was observed along the root zone, approximately equal between the 0–0.6 and 0.6–1.0 m soil layer. Water extraction of sugar beet plants at the deeper soil layers in response to long irrigation intervals was related to an increase in water uptake efficiency of the deeper younger roots and not to an increase in root length density, which, on the contrary, decreased. This morpho-physiological acclimatization to progressive soil water deficit was coupled with an increase of the root/shoot ratio.     

Relationship between plant cover type and soil properties on Syunkunitai coastal sand dune in eastern Hokkaido

A survey of soils and trees was conducted on Syunkunitai coastal sand dune in eastern Hokkaido to clarify the relationships between the soil properties and the plant cover type. A belt transect of 360m in length was established across the dune. Three community types, that is, a Picea glehnii forest, an Abies sachalinensis forest, and a salt marsh were recognized. Soil types at the study area were determined to be sandy immature soil and peat soil. Their horizon sequences were described as A₀–V–C or T–V–C layers (A₀, T, V, and C indicate layers of leaf litter, peat, volcanic deposit, and parent material, respectively). The Abies sachalinensis forest was characterized by a relatively high calcium concentration in the surface soil layer and a tendency for podzolization in the volcanic deposit layer. The Picea glehnii forest was characterized by peat accumulation because of the high ground water table, volcanic deposits in the soil profile, and the strong influence of sea salt on the soil chemistry. The roots in the Picea glehnii forest were distributed more shallowly than those in the Abies sachalinensis forest, thus avoiding the high water table level as well as the influence of seawater in the soil. The salt marsh showed an extremely high sodium concentration and base saturation, indicating that this area was directly affected by seawater. Recently, the periphery of the Picea glehnii forest on Syunkunitai sand dune has been declining because of seawater inundation caused by ground subsidence.     

Soil CO2 efflux in a mixed pine-oak forest in Valsaín (central Spain)

Soil-surface CO2 efflux and its spatial and temporal variation were investigated in a southern Mediterranean, mixed pine-oak forest ecosystem on the northern slopes of the Sierra de Guadarrama in Spain from February 2006 to July 2006. Measurements of soil CO2 efflux, soil temperatures, and moisture were conducted in nine 1963-m2 sampling plots distributed in a gradient around the ecotone between Pinus sylvestris L. and Quercus pyrenaica Lam. forest stands. Total soil organic matter, Walkey-Black C, particulate organic matter, organic matter fraction below 53 microm, total soil nitrogen content, total soil organic carbon content, and pH were also measured under three representative mature oak, pine, and mixed pine-oak forest stands. Soil respiration showed a typical seasonal pattern with minimums in winter and summer, and maximums in spring, more pronounced in oak and oak-pine stands. Soil respiration values were highest in pine stands during winter and in oak stands during spring and summer. Soil respiration was highly correlated with soil temperatures in oak and pine-oak stands when soil moisture was above a drought threshold of 15%. Below this threshold value, soil moisture was a good predictor of soil respiration in pine stands. Greater soil organic matter, particulate organic matter, Walkey-Black C, total organic C, and total N content in pine compared to oak sites potentially contributed to the greater total soil CO2 efflux in these stands during the winter. Furthermore, opposing trends in the organic matter fraction below 53 microm and soil respiration between plots suggest that in oak stands, the C forms are less affected by possible changes in use. The effects of soil properties on soil respiration were masked by differences in soil temperature and moisture during the rest of the year. Understanding the spatial and temporal variation even within small geographic areas is essential to assess C budgets at ecosystem level accurately. Thus, this study bears important implications for the study of large-scale ecosystem dynamics, particularly in response to climatic change.     

三峡库区森林土壤大孔隙特征及对饱和导水率的影响

土壤大孔隙是土体内孔径较大能优先传导水分的根孔、洞穴或裂隙,大孔隙内优先流的产生是土壤水分运动研究由均衡走向非均衡的标志。利用原状土柱的水分穿透试验,对三峡库区山地不同林型覆盖下土壤的大孔隙结构进行了研究,分析了温性阔叶林棕壤、针阔混交林黄棕壤、暖性针叶林黄壤及弃耕草地剖面内大孔隙的剖面分布特征及其对土壤饱和导水率的影响。结果表明:研究区内森林土壤的大孔隙当量孔径在0.3—3 mm之间,占土壤总体积的0.15%—4.72%。大孔隙中孔径0.3—0.6 mm的大孔隙密度最大,占大孔隙总数量的72.2%—90.4%;而孔径1 mm的孔隙仅占大孔隙总数量的1.26%—8.55%。土壤大孔隙密度和大孔隙面积比的顺序为:温性阔叶林棕壤针阔混交林黄棕壤针叶林黄壤弃耕坡地。各孔径段的大孔隙密度在不同样点均呈现A层-B层-C层逐渐减小的趋势,大孔隙密度与有机质含量呈显著正相关关系。土壤饱和导水率与不同孔径大孔隙的密度、面积比均成显著正相关关系,孔径1mm的大孔隙仅占大孔隙总数量的1.26%—8.55%,但决定了饱和导水率84.7%的变异。此外,森林土壤饱和导水率与各土壤层的有机质含量成显著正相关关系,有机质的增多有利于改善土壤的入渗性能。     

帽儿山温带森林演替初期土壤碳、氮、磷计量特征的变化

2004年在帽儿山森林生态站设置土壤置换试验,将0～30 cm农田土置换成邻近天然次生林淋溶层土(A处理)、淀积层土(B处理)和母质层土(风化砂,C处理),分别模拟森林皆伐次生演替、无种子库次生演替和原生演替,2014年研究温带落叶阔叶林不同演替类型在自然演替初期土壤碳、氮、磷计量特征的变化.结果表明: 演替10年,A处理土壤碳、氮、磷含量无显著变化,B处理土壤碳和氮含量分别降低34.7%和38.6%,而C处理土壤碳和氮含量分别增加63.4%和198.4%.植被演替后,氮-碳异速生长关系斜率显著降低,磷-氮异速生长速率显著升高.10年演替后,仅C处理土壤C∶N减小44.5%,N∶P增加283.6%,其他处理变化不显著.土壤碳、氮、磷含量与活细根现存量、死细根现存量均存在显著相关关系,植被演替可能主要通过改变有机质输入驱动土壤碳、氮、磷含量及其计量关系.     

The effect of the presence of a forage legume on nitrogen and carbon levels in soils under Brachiaria pastures in the Atlantic forest region of the South of Bahia,Brazil

The impact of forest clearance, and its replacement by Brachiaria pastures, on soil carbon reserves has been studied at many sites in the Brazilian Amazonia, but to date there appear to be no reports of similar studies undertaken in the Atlantic forest region of Brazil. In this study performed in the extreme south of Bahia, the changes in C and N content of the soil were evaluated from the time of establishment of grass-only B. humidicola and mixed B. humidicola/Desmodium ovalifolium pastures through 9 years of grazing in comparison with the C and N contents of the adjacent secondary forest. The decline in the content of soil C derived from the forest (C3) vegetation and the accumulation of that derived from the Brachiaria (C4) were followed by determining the ¹³C natural abundance of the soil organic matter (SOM). The pastures were established in 1987, 10 years after deforestation, and it was estimated that until 1994 there was a loss in forest-derived C in the top 30 cm of soil of approximately 20% (9.1 Mg C ha^–1). After the establishment of the pastures, C derived from Brachiaria accumulated steadily such that at the final sampling (1997) it was estimated 13.9 Mg ha^–1 was derived from this source under the grass-only pasture (0–30 cm). Samples taken from all pastures and the forest in 1997 to a depth of 100 cm showed that below 40 cm depth there was no significant contribution of the Brachiaria-derived C and that total C reserves under the grass/legume and the grass-only pastures were slightly higher than under the forest (not significant at P=0.05). The more detailed sampling under the pastures showed that to a depth of 30 cm there was significantly (P<0.05) more C under the mixed pasture than the grass-only pasture. It was estimated that from the time of establishment the apparent rate of C accumulation (0–100 cm depth) under the grass/legume pastures (1.17 Mg ha^–1 yr^–1) was almost double that under the grass-only pastures (0.66 Mg ha^–1 yr^–1). The data indicated that newly incorporated SOM derived from the Brachiaria had a considerably higher C:N ratio than that present under the forest.     

Soil Organic Carbon Content Decreases in Both Surface and Subsoil Mineral Horizons by Simulated Future Increases in Labile Carbon Inputs in a Temperate Coniferous Forest

Soils represent important pools of soil organic carbon (SOC) that can be greatly influenced by labile C inputs, which are expected to increase in future due to CO₂ enrichment of atmosphere and a concomitant rise in plant primary productivity. Studying effects of variable labile C inputs on SOC pool helps to understand how soils respond to global change. However, this knowledge is missing for coniferous forest soils despite being widespread throughout the northern temperate zone. We conducted a 7-month field manipulation experiment to study the effects of variable labile C inputs (simulated by additions of C₄ sucrose) on the C content in soil fractions and on microbial abundance in the organic (O), surface mineral (A), and subsoil mineral (B) horizons of a temperate coniferous forest soil. SOC in less-protected soil fractions and total organic C were substantially decreased by labile C additions that simulated future increases in C inputs. The SOC losses were comparable between the A and B horizon (40% vs. 30%). However, because sucrose availability estimated from its incorporation into soil fractions and microbial biomass sharply decreased with soil depth, the loss of C was higher in the B than in the A horizon when related to the amount of sucrose added. Utilization of sucrose was highest by fungi in the O horizon and by bacteria in the mineral soil horizons. The results indicate that future increases in labile C inputs to coniferous forest soils will cause rapid and substantial losses of SOC in both the surface and subsoil mineral horizons.

     

Root biomass distribution of planted <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haloxylon ammodendron</Emphasis> in a duplex soil in an oasis: desert boundary area

Duplex soils, consisting of a sandy surface soil (A-horizon) and silty-clay subsoil (B-horizon), occur in a boundary area between oasis and desert in northwestern China and create a challenging habitat for restoration of plant growth. We conducted an experiment in a 10-year-old H. ammodendron plantation forest to determine the influence of physical properties of duplex soil on water infiltration and plant root growth. We used a trenching method to assess root biomass, and classified roots into two diameter classes: fine (<2 mm) and coarse (>2 mm). Following a 26.7 mm rain event, water infiltrated to the B- horizon; further deep percolation was hindered by low hydraulic conductivity, so that B horizon remained at high available soil moisture for an extended period of time. Root biomass increased rapidly in, or very close to the B horizon, especially for coarse roots. The subsoil formed a barrier to root penetration, but may also reflect the accumulation of water resources at the boundary between the A- and B-horizon. Shoot growth and root distribution, shrub height and canopy area, and total root biomass were negatively correlation with depth to the B horizon, and that was reflected by quadratic functions. We conclude that the texture and structure of duplex soils influenced the soil environment for water infiltration and storage, indicating that the B-horizon underlying sand in duplex soils is advantageous for the growth, and development of planted sand-stabilizing vegetation. These results have important implications for sustainable development of sand-fixing plantations in desert ecosystems.     

Root distribution of grapefruit trees under dry granular broadcast vs. fertigation method

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of nitrogen (N) fertilization methods on root distribution and mineral element concentrations of White Marsh grapefruit (Citrus paradisi MacFadyen) trees on sour orange (C. aurantium Lush) rootstock on a poorly drained soil. At 0–15 cm depth of soil, root density was significantly greater for trees receiving 112 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1 as dry granular broadcast than those receiving the same amount of N as fertigation. Of the total roots in the top 60 cm soil, >75% was at 0–15 cm and <10% was at 30–60 cm. Root density was greatest near the emitter. Nitrogen concentration of roots was greater for the trees which received fertigation as compared to the trees which received dry fertilizer broadcast or no N.     

Stand fine root biomass and fine root morphology in old-growth beech forests as a function of precipitation and soil fertility

Only very limited information exists on the plasticity in size and structure of fine root systems, and fine root morphology of mature trees as a function of environmental variation. Six northwest German old-growth beech forests (Fagus sylvatica L.) differing in precipitation (520 – 1030 mm year^–1) and soil acidity/fertility (acidic infertile to basic fertile) were studied by soil coring for stand totals of fine root biomass (0–40 cm plus organic horizons), vertical and horizontal root distribution patterns, the fine root necromass/biomass ratio, and fine root morphology (root specific surface area, root tip frequency, and degree of mycorrhizal infection). Stand total of fine root biomass, and vertical and horizontal fine root distribution patterns were similar in beech stands on acidic infertile and basic fertile soils. In five of six stands, stand fine root biomass ranged between 320 and 470 g m^–2; fine root density showed an exponential decrease with soil depth in all profiles irrespective of soil type. An exceptionally small stand fine root biomass (<150 g m^–2) was found in the driest stand with 520 mm year^–1 of rainfall. In all stands, fine root morphological parameters changed markedly from the topsoil to the lower profile; differences in fine root morphology among the six stands, however, were remarkably small. Two parameters, the necromass/biomass ratio and fine root tip density (tips per soil volume), however, were both much higher in acidic than basic soils. We conclude that variation in soil acidity and fertility only weakly influences fine root system size and morphology of F. sylvatica, but affects root system structure and, probably, fine root mortality. It is hypothesized that high root tip densities in acidic infertile soils compensate for low nutrient supply rates, and large necromasses are a consequence of adverse soil chemical conditions. Data from a literature survey support the view that rainfall is another major environmental factor that influences the stand fine root biomass of F. sylvatica.     

Structure,ecology and physiology of root clusters – a review

Hairy rootlets, aggregated in longitudinal rows to form distinct clusters, are a major part of the root system in some species. These root clusters are almost universal (1600 species) in the family Proteaceae (proteoid roots), with fewer species in another seven families. There may be 10–1000 rootlets per cm length of parent root in 2–7 rows. Proteoid roots may increase the surface area by over 140× and soil volume explored by 300× that per length of an equivalent non-proteoid root. This greatly enhances exudation of carboxylates, phenolics and water, solubilisation of mineral and organic nutrients and uptake of inorganic nutrients, amino acids and water per unit root mass. Root cluster production peaks at soil nutrient levels (P, N, Fe) suboptimal for growth of the rest of the root system, and may cease when shoot mass peaks. As with other root types, root cluster production is controlled by the interplay between external and internal nutrient levels, and mediated by auxin and other hormones to which the process is particularly sensitive. Proteoid roots are concentrated in the humus-rich surface soil horizons, by 800× in Banksia scrub-heath. Compared with an equal mass of the B horizon, the A₁ horizon has much higher levels of N, P, K and Ca in soils where species with proteoid root clusters are prominent, and the concentration of root clusters in that region ensures that uptake is optimal where supply is maximal. Both proteoid and non-proteoid root growth are promoted wherever the humus-rich layer is located in the soil profile, with 4× more proteoid roots per root length in Hakea laurina. Proteoid root production near the soil surface is favoured among hakeas, even in uniform soil, but to a lesser extent, while addition of dilute N or P solutions in split-root system studies promotes non-proteoid, but inhibits proteoid, root production. Local or seasonal applications of water to hakeas initiate non-proteoid, then proteoid, root production, while waterlogging inhibits non-proteoid, but promotes proteoid, root production near the soil surface. A chemical stimulus, probably of bacterial origin, may be associated with root cluster initiation, but most experiments have alternative interpretations. It is possible that the bacterial component of soil pockets rich in organic matter, rather than their nutrient component, could be responsible for the proliferation of proteoid roots there, but much more research on root cluster microbiology is needed.     

米槠次生林和天然林细根养分及化学计量特征

探讨人为干扰对森林养分利用和生物地球化学循环特征的影响,对亚热带米槠(Castanopsis carlesii)次生林和天然林细根化学计量特征及其随土壤深度(0～80cm)的变化趋势进行了研究。结果表明,混合线性模型表明林分和土层深度对细根化学计量特征影响的主效应显著,但是交互作用不显著;米槠次生林细根N和P含量均显著低于天然林,而细根C浓度、C:N、C:P显著高于天然林,天然林1～2mm细根C浓度显著低于次生林;天然林和次生林细根N、P含量均随土层深度增加而呈显著下降趋势,C:N、C:P、N:P均随土层深度增加而呈显著上升趋势,且两林分下降趋势无显著差异;天然林和次生林细根N、P含量及N:P分别与土壤全N、全P含量和N:P存在线性关系,而细根N、P含量和N:P随土层深度变化均与直径显著相关,与细根比根长(SRL)无关。天然林经过人为干扰后,细根化学计量特征随土层深度变化规律虽未发生改变,但细根N和P浓度显著降低。