Relating Hybrid Poplar Fine Root Production,Soil Nutrients,and Hydrocarbon Contamination

Quantifying the effects of hydrocarbon contamination on hybrid poplar fine root dynamics provides information about how well these trees tolerate the adverse conditions imposed by the presence of petroleum in the soil. The objective of this research was to investigate the relationship between the varying concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and nutrients across a hydrocarbon-contaminated site, and quantify the effects of these properties on the spatial and temporal patterns of fine root production of hybrid poplar (P. deltoides × P. petrowskyana C. V. Griffin) Twelve minirhizotron tubes were distributed across a TPH-contaminated site at Hendon, SK, Canada, and facilitated quantification of fine root production in areas of varying contamination levels. Residual hydrocarbon contamination was positively correlated with soil total C and N, which may suggest that the hydrocarbons remaining in the soil are associated with organic forms of these nutrients. Fine root production was stimulated by small amounts of hydrocarbon contamination at the field site. Nonlinear regression described fine root production as increasing linearly up to approximately 500 mg kg^{? 1} TPH, then remaining constant as contamination increased. Stimulation of hybrid poplar fine root production in hydrocarbon-contaminated soil could to lead to enhanced contaminant degradation as a result of stimulated microbial activity via a greater rhizosphere effect.     

PHYTOREMEDIATION OF BTEX HYDROCARBONS: POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF DIURNAL GROUNDWATER FLUCTUATION ON MICROBIAL DEGRADATION

Volatile hydrocarbons have multiple potential fates in phytoremediation. This research investigated the relationship between biodegradation and plant uptake of BTEX compounds in laboratory and field settings. At a phytoremediation site, preliminary studies revealed minimal uptake into trees and enhanced degradation potential in the rhizosphere and in the bulk soil. Increased oxygen transport to the vadose zone caused by diurnal rise and fall of the water table was hypothesized to enhance degradation in the bulk soil. A detailed greenhouse study was then conducted to investigate potential bioremediation impacts using field-site soil and DN34 hybrid poplar trees.

In rhizosphere soils, the contaminated-planted reactor had significantly higher BTEX degrader populations versus the uncontaminated-planted reactor, as was anticipated. The bulk soil in the planted-contaminated reactor had increased degrader populations than the unplanted-contaminated soil or planted-uncontaminated soil, and planting increased degradation throughout the soil profile, not just in the limited volume of rhizosphere soils. Oxygen diffusive and advective transport into reactors was modeled and calculated. Oxygen input in planted reactors was at least 3 to 5 times higher than in unplanted reactors, and increasing oxygen input lead to increased degrader populations in a linear manner. These results combined with the knowledge that high-transpiration trees draw the contaminated groundwater to the capillary fringe and the rhizosphere indicate that phytoremediation can aid microbial degradation via multiple mechanisms: increasing degrader populations, increasing oxygen input via groundwater diurnal fluctuations, and transporting contaminants to the biologically-enriched soil profile.     

Field note: successful establishment of a phytoremediation system at a petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated shallow aquifer: trends, trials, and tribulations

We report the establishment of a mixed hybrid poplar (Populus spp.) and willow (Salix spp.) phytoremediation system at a fuel-contaminated site. Several approaches were used to balance competing goals of cost-effectiveness yet successful tree establishment without artificial irrigation or trenching. Bare root and unrooted cuttings were installed using either: (1) 1.2 m deep holes excavated with an 8 cm diameter auger using a direct-push rig and backfilled with the excavated, in situ soil; (2) 1.2 m deep holes created with a 23 cm diameter auger attached to a Bobcat rig and backfilled with clean topsoil from offsite; and (3) shallow holes between 15-30 cm deep that were created with a 1.3 cm diameter rod and no backfill. Tree mortality from initial plantings indicated contaminated zones not quantified in prior site investigations and remedial actions. Aquifer heterogeneity, underground utilities, and prior remediation infrastructure hampered the ability of the site to support a traditional experimental design. Total stem length and mortality were measured for all planted trees and were incorporated into a geographic information system. Planting early in the growing season, augering a larger diameter hole, and backfilling with clean, uncontaminated topsoil was cost effective and allowed for greater tree cutting growth and survival.     

USE OF NATIVE PLANTS FOR REMEDIATION OF TRICHLOROETHYLENE: II. CONIFEROUS TREES

The phytoremediation of trichloroethylene (TCE) from contaminated groundwater has been extensively studied using the hybrid poplar tree (Populus spp.). Several metabolites of TCE have been identified in the tissue of poplar including trichloroethanol (TCEOH) and dichloroacetic acid (DCAA) and trichloroacetic acid (TCAA). In addition to the use of hybrid poplar for the phytoremediation of TCE, it is important to screen native tree species that could be successful candidates for field use. This study involves a greenhouse-based comparison of four different native southeastern conifers to a hybrid poplar species for their potential to phytoremediate TCE through the analysis of various plant tissues for TCE and major TCE metabolites, as well as several growth parameters that are desirable for phytoremediation. Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris), Leyland cypress (X Cupressocyparis leylandii), two varieties of Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), and hybrid poplar species H11-11 (Populus trichocarpa x deltoides) were examined for the concentration of TCE and its metabolites in their tissue following treatment with either a low (50 mg L^?1) or high dose of TCE (150 mg L^?1) for 2 mo. The amount of water taken up, change in height of the tree, TCE transpiration, and total fresh weight of various tissue types were also measured. All trees contained detectable levels of TCE in their root and stem tissue. TCEOH was found only in the tissue of longleaf pine, suggesting that TCE metabolism was occurring in this tree. TCAA was only detected in the leaves of hybrid poplar and piedmont loblolly pine. Conifers took up less water over the 2-mo treatment period than hybrid poplar and grew at a slower rate. However, phytoremediation field sites may benefit from the evergreen's ability to transpire water throughout the winter months.     

Screening Plant Species for Growth on Weathered,Petroleum Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Sediments

Rapid and cost-effective techniques are needed to select plant species and genotypes for use in phytoremediation, vegetative capping, or revegetation at hazardous waste sites. A greenhouse screening procedure to aid the selection of plant materials would help increase success and decrease the cost. Twenty-nine vascular plant species were compared for growth in weathered sediments contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons. An uncontaminated reference soil was used to estimate relative seedling growth in stressed and unstressed conditions. Plants were grown in a greenhouse and harvested at 60 and 180 days after planting to estimate variation in seedling growth and full-season growth. Plant growth characteristics measured included height, aboveground biomass, root biomass, root diameter, root-length density, and root surface area density. Concentration of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) was estimated at the final harvest. Considerable variation existed among species for all characteristics except TPH concentration. Under the conditions and length of this trial, no variations in rates of TPH degradation were detected. In general, plant growth was stunted in the contaminated soil compared with the uncontaminated soil; however, differences among plant species for relative seedling growth indicated that they varied in their tolerance to the petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil. For example, tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea, seemed tolerant to the contaminated soil, whereas barley, Hordeum vulgare, seemed sensitive. Comparison of results from the 60- and 180-day harvests suggested that a short-season greenhouse screening could aid selection of species for planting in contaminated soil, if plant growth results are interpreted along with information on the life history characteristics of the species under consideration.     

Phytotoxicity Assay to Assess Plant Species for Phytoremediation of Petroleum-Contaminated Soil

A phytotoxicity bioassay was used to select plant species for phytoremediation that were able to germinate and grow in petroleum-contaminated soil from an industrial site in Canada. Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne var. “Affinity”) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) were more successful at germination and root growth than were little bluestem (Schizachyrum scoparium) and crown vetch (Coronilla varia). The phytotoxicity assay provides a rapid, efficient mechanism of prescreening potential plant species and eliminating those not able to germinate and establish in soil conditions present at the contaminated site. This bioassay can potentially reduce the number of pot or greenhouse degradation studies that need to be conducted before plant species can be chosen for petroleum phytoremediation.     

Relationship between genotype and soil environment during colonization of poplar roots by mycorrhizal and endophytic fungi

Poplars are among the few tree genera that can develop both ectomycorrhizal (ECM) and arbuscular (AM) associations; however, variable ratios of ECM/AM in dual mycorrhizal colonizations were observed in the roots of a variety of poplar species and hybrids. The objective of our study was to analyze the effect of internal and external factors on growth and dual AM and ECM colonization of poplar roots in three 12–15-year-old common gardens in Poland. We also analyzed the abundance of nonmycorrhizal fungal endophytes in the poplar roots. The Populus clones comprised black poplars (Populus deltoides and P. deltoides × Populus nigra), balsam poplars (Populus maximowiczii × Populus trichocarpa), and a hybrid of black and balsam poplars (P. deltoides × P. trichocarpa). Of the three sites that we studied, one was located in the vicinity of a copper smelter, where soil was contaminated with copper and lead. Poplar root tip abundance, mycorrhizal colonization, and soil fungi biomass were lower at this heavily polluted site. The total mycorrhizal colonization and the ratio of ECM and AM colonization differed among the study sites and according to soil depth. The influence of Populus genotype was significantly pronounced only within the individual study sites. The contribution of nonmycorrhizal fungal endophytes differed among the poplar clones and was higher at the polluted site than at the sites free of pollution. Our results indicate that poplar fine root abundance and AM and ECM symbiosis are influenced by environmental conditions. Further studies of different site conditions are required to characterize the utility of poplars for purposes such as the phytoremediation of polluted sites.     

Rhizosphere competitiveness of trichloroethylene-degrading, poplar-colonizing recombinant bacteria

Indigenous bacteria from poplar tree (Populus canadensis var. eugenei 'Imperial Carolina') and southern California shrub rhizospheres, as well as two tree-colonizing Rhizobium strains (ATCC 10320 and ATCC 35645), were engineered to express constitutively and stably toluene o-monooxygenase (TOM) from Burkholderia cepacia G4 by integrating the tom locus into the chromosome. The poplar and Rhizobium recombinant bacteria degraded trichloroethylene at a rate of 0.8 to 2.1 nmol/min/mg of protein and were competitive against the unengineered hosts in wheat and barley rhizospheres for 1 month (colonization occurred at a level of 1.0 x 10(5) to 23 x 10(5) CFU/cm of root). In addition, six of these recombinants colonized poplar roots stably and competitively with populations as large as 79% +/- 12% of all rhizosphere bacteria after 28 days (0.2 x 10(5) to 31 x 10(5) CFU/cm of root). Furthermore, five of the most competitive poplar recombinants (e.g., Pb3-1 and Pb5-1, which were identified as Pseudomonas sp. strain PsK recombinants) retained the ability to express TOM for 29 days as 100% +/- 0% of the recombinants detected in the poplar rhizosphere expressed TOM constitutively.     

Use of integrated phytoremediation for cleaning-up of oil-sludge-contaminated soil

The possibility of using multicomponent systems, including plants, mineral fertilizers, and plant growth promoting microorganisms, has been studied in vegetative experiments in order to stimulate phytoremediation of oil-sludge-contaminated soil. Winter rye (Secale cereale L.) was used as the principal phytoremediating plant species, whereas alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), nitrogen fertilizer (ammonium nitrate), and a PGPR strain (Azospirillum brasilense SR80) were applied as additional components, individually or in various combinations. The obtained data revealed the critical importance of alfalfa for phytoremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soil. Application of different multicomponent treatments resulted in approximately 70% reduction of pollutant concentration in soil. The developed technological approaches were successfully tested in the remediation of an ex-oil-sludge pit on the ground of a petroleum refinery.     

Effects of nitrogen on the activity of antioxidant enzymes and gene expression in leaves of Populus plants subjected to cadmium stress

The research aimed to verify the important physiological effect of nitrogen (N) on plants exposed to cadmium (Cd). The poplar plants were grown in a Hoagland nutrient solution and treated with extra N, Cd, and N + Cd. After treatment, plant growth and chlorophyll content were recorded. The oxidative stress, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and the expression of related genes were also examined. The results indicated the plants treated with sole Cd presented obvious toxicity symptoms, i.e. growth inhibition, reactive oxygen species accumulation, and chlorophyll content decrement. However, when N was added to the plants under Cd stress, plant growth was enhanced, chlorophyll synthesis was promoted, and the oxidative stress was alleviated. Further, the expression of antioxidant enzymes genes was upregulated by N. The results indicated that N partially reversed the toxic effect of Cd on poplar plants, which can provide new methodology to enhance the phytoremediation technology for heavy metal pollution soil.     

The Optimal Root Length for Vetiveria zizanioides When Transplanted to Cd Polluted Soil

In order to facilitate transportation and accelerate growth, roots of Vetiveria zizanioides must be pruned before transplanting. The present research is aimed to investigate the best root length for vetiver grown in cadmium (Cd) polluted soil. The results indicated that 6 cm root-length plant (RLP) was the best candidate in phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated soil for its stronger tolerance and better growth promoting activities.     

生活污水慢渗生态处理对土壤及杨树生长的影响

为了观测生活污水杨树林地处理对土壤和林木生长的影响,2008—2009年在郑州市龙湖镇,采用不同水力负荷(0、3、6、9、12、15cm/周),进行了污水慢渗生态处理试验。测定了污水处理期间杨树地上部分生长量,对表层(0—40cm)和下层(40—100cm)土壤理化性质进行了分析。选用土壤容重、有机质、全氮、全磷、全钾、速效氮、速效磷、速效钾作为土壤质量因子,运用土壤质量综合指标评价不同处理表层土壤质量,对下层土壤的理化性状的变化进行了研究。结果表明:在3—9cm/周水力负荷时,表层土壤质量综合指标值(QI值)和杨树地上部分生长量均随着水力负荷的增加而增加,在9cm/周水力负荷时达到最大;水力负荷大于9cm/周,QI值和杨树地上部分生长量随着水力负荷增加而降低。在水力负荷较低时,污水处理对下层土壤性状影响较小,水力负荷大于9cm/周,污水处理对下层土壤性状产生了不良影响。生活污水杨树林地处理比较适宜的水力负荷是6—9cm/周。     

Enhanced tolerance of transgenic poplar plants overexpressing gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase towards chloroacetanilide herbicides.

A wild-type poplar hybrid and two transgenic clones overexpressing a bacterial gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase in the cytosol or in the chloroplasts were exposed to the chloroacetanilide herbicides acetochlor and metolachlor dispersed in the soil. The transformed poplars contained higher gamma-glutamylcysteine and glutathione (GSH) levels than wild-type plants and therefore it was supposed that they would have an elevated tolerance towards these herbicides, which are detoxified in GSH-dependent reactions. Phenotypically, the transgenic and wild-type plants did not differ. The growth and the biomass of all poplar lines were markedly reduced by the two chloroacetanilide herbicides. However, the decrease of shoot and root fresh weights caused by the herbicides was significantly smaller in the transgenic than in wild-type plants. In addition, the growth rate of poplars transformed in the cytosol was reduced to a significantly lesser extent than that of wild-type plants following herbicide treatments. The effects of the two herbicides were similar. Herbicide exposures markedly increased the levels of gamma-glutamylcysteine and GSH in leaves of each poplar line. The increase in the foliar amounts of these thiols was stronger in the transgenic lines than in the wild type, particularly in the upper leaves. Considerable GST activities were detected in leaves of all poplar plants. Exposure of poplars to chloroacetanilide herbicides resulted in a marked induction of GST activity in upper leaf positions but not in middle and lower leaves. The extent of enzyme induction did not differ significantly between transgenic and wild-type poplars. Although the results show that the transgenic poplar lines are good candidates for phytoremediation purposes, the further improvement of their detoxification capacity, preferably by transformation using genes encoding herbicide-specific GST isoenzymes, seems to be the most promising way to obtain plants suitable for practical application.     

Evaluation of Transgenic Poplars Over-Expressing Enzymes of Glutathione Synthesis for Phytoremediation of Cadmium

Abstract: Recently, phytoremediation of soils polluted with heavy metals has received a lot of attention. Since glutathione (GSH) and its derivatives (e.g., phytochelatins) play a major role in plant defence against environmental pollutants, we tested the effects of over-expression of bacterial genes for GSH synthesis in poplar on cadmium accumulation. A pilot experiment with CdCl₂ in hydroponics revealed that poplars over-expressing γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-ECS) accumulated significantly more Cd in root tissue than wild type or glutathione synthetase over-expressing poplars. To test the partitioning of Cd in different organs, poplar lines over-expressing γ-ECS in the cytosol and in chloroplasts were treated with 0.2 mM CdCl₂ in hydroponics. Significant amounts of Cd were translocated to leaves, but significant differences in Cd accumulation were not observed between transgenic and wild type plants. To evaluate these lines for large-scale phytoremediation of cadmium, plants were treated with 2 mM Cd in soil. Over a four-week period, the poplar plants were able to accumulate up to 5.3 mg Cd. Most remarkably, in young leaves of both transgenic lines, Cd was accumulated to concentrations 2.5 - 3 times higher than in the wild type. The increased allocation of cadmium to the young leaves represents a potentional advantage for the phytoremediation process using the same plants over several vegetation periods. The use of transgenic poplar lines with enhanced glutathione production capacity seems to be of particular advantage in highly polluted soils.     

Fungal community associated with genetically modified poplar during metal phytoremediation

Due to the increasing demand for phytoremediation, many transgenic poplars have been developed to enhance the bioremediation of heavy metals. However, structural changes to indigenous fungal communities by genetically modified organisms (GMO) presents a major ecological issue, due to the important role of fungi for plant growth in natural environments. To evaluate the effect of GM plant use on environmental fungal soil communities, extensive sequencing-based community analysis was conducted, while controlling the influence of plant clonality, plant age, soil condition, and harvesting season. The rhizosphere soils of GM and wild type (WT) poplars at a range of growth stages were sampled together with unplanted, contaminated soil, and the fungal community structures were investigated by pyrosequencing the D1/D2 region of the 28S rRNA gene. The results show that the overall structure of the rhizosphere fungal community was not significantly influenced by GM poplars. However, the presence of GM specific taxa, and faster rate of community change during poplar growth, appeared to be characteristic of the GM plant-induced effects on soil-born fungal communities. The results of this study provide additional information about the potential effects of GM poplar trees aged 1.5–3 years, on the soil fungal community.     

Similarity of plant functional traits and aggregation pattern in a subtropical forest

The distribution of species and communities in relation to environmental heterogeneity is a central focus in ecology. Co‐occurrence of species with similar functional traits is an indication that communities are determined in part by environmental filters. However, few studies have been designed to test how functional traits are selectively filtered by environmental conditions at local scales. Exploring the relationship between soil characteristics and plant traits is a step toward understanding the filtering hypothesis in determining plant distribution at local scale. Toward this end, we mapped all individual trees (diameter >1 cm) in a one‐ha subtropical forest of China in 2007 and 2015. We measured topographic and detailed soil properties within the field site, as well as plant leaf functional traits and demographic rates of the seven most common tree species. A second one‐ha study plot was established in 2015, to test and validate the general patterns that were drawn from first plot. We found that variation in species distribution at local scale can be explained by soil heterogeneity and plant functional traits. (From first plot). (1) Species dominant in habitats with high soil ammonium nitrogen and total phosphorus tended to have high specific leaf area (SLA) and relative growth rate (RGR). (2) Species dominant in low‐fertility habitats tended to have high leaf dry matter content (LDMC), ratio of chlorophyll a and b (ratioab), and leaf thickness (LT). The hypothesis that functional traits are selected in part by environmental filters and determine plant distribution at local scale was confirmed by the data of the first plot and a second regional site showed similar species distribution patterns.     

USE OF NATIVE PLANTS FOR REMEDIATION OF TRICHLOROETHYLENE: I. DECIDUOUS TREES

Phytoremediation of trichloroethylene (TCE) can be accomplished using fast-growing, deep-rooting trees. The most commonly used tree for phytoremediation of TCE has been the hybrid poplar. This study looks at native southeastern trees of the United States as alternatives to the use of hybrid poplar. The use of native trees for phytoremediation allows for simultaneous restoration of contaminated sites. A 2-mo, greenhouse-based study was conducted to determine if sycamore (Plantanus L.), eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.), and willow (Salix sachalinensis) trees possess the ability to degrade TCE by assessing TCE metabolite formation in the plant tissue. In addition to the metabolic capabilities of each tree species, growth parameters were measured including change in height, water usage, total fresh weight of each tissue type, and calculated total leaf surface area. Willow trees had the greatest increase in height among all trees tested; however, at higher concentrations TCE inhibits growth. Sycamore trees had the highest overall leaf surface area and total biomass, which correlated with sycamore trees also having the highest average water usage over the course of the experiment. Carbon tubes used to sample transpiration gases from sycamore, sweetgum, and cottonwood trees did not contain detectable levels of TCE. Tenex sample collection tubes used to sample willow trees during TCE exposure showed average TCE concentrations of up to 0.354 ng TCE cm^?2 leaf tissue. All exposed trees contained TCE in the root, stem, and leaf tissues. The concentration of TCE remaining in tissues at the conclusion of the experiment varied, with the highest levels found in the roots and the lowest levels found in the leaves. Metabolites were also observed in different tissue types of all trees tested. The highest concentrations of trichloroacetic acid were observed in the leaves of the sycamore trees and cottonwood trees. Based on the growth parameters tested and the ability to metabolize TCE, sycamore and native cottonwood species are the best candidates for phytoremediation from this study.     

Contrasting the Community Structure of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi from Hydrocarbon-Contaminated and Uncontaminated Soils following Willow (Salix spp. L.) Planting

Phytoremediation is a potentially inexpensive alternative to chemical treatment of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils, but its success depends heavily on identifying factors that govern the success of root-associated microorganisms involved in hydrocarbon degradation and plant growth stimulation. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form symbioses with many terrestrial plants, and are known to stimulate plant growth, although both species identity and the environment influence this relationship. Although AMF are suspected to play a role in plant adaptation to hydrocarbon contamination, their distribution in hydrocarbon-contaminated soils is not well known. In this study, we examined how AMF communities were structured within the rhizosphere of 11 introduced willow cultivars as well as unplanted controls across uncontaminated and hydrocarbon-contaminated soils at the site of a former petrochemical plant. We obtained 69 282 AMF-specific 18S rDNA sequences using 454-pyrosequencing, representing 27 OTUs. Contaminant concentration was the major influence on AMF community structure, with different AMF families dominating at each contaminant level. The most abundant operational taxonomic unit in each sample represented a large proportion of the total community, and this proportion was positively associated with increasing contamination, and seemingly, by planting as well. The most contaminated soils were dominated by three phylotypes closely related to Rhizophagus irregularis, while these OTUs represented only a small proportion of sequences in uncontaminated and moderately contaminated soils. These results suggest that in situ inoculation of AMF strains could be an important component of phytoremediation treatments, but that strains should be selected from the narrow group that is both adapted to contaminant toxicity and able to compete with indigenous AMF species.     

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.     

酚酸和氮素交互作用下欧美杨107细根形态特征

树木细根生长与根际过程的关系十分密切。该研究仿生欧美杨107 (Populus × euramericana ‘Neva’)人工林根际土壤酚酸沉降与氮素有效性变化, 通过设置3种酚酸梯度(0X、0.5X、1.0X, X为田间土壤酚酸含量)与3种氮素水平(缺氮0 mmol·L^-1、正常氮10 mmol·L^-1、高氮20 mmol·L^-1), 探究酚酸和氮素对欧美杨107细根形态的影响, 以期为阐明树木根系生长对根-土界面过程的响应奠定基础。结果表明: (1)在无酚酸(0X)环境中, 缺氮和高氮均可抑制欧美杨107细根生长, 尤其对1-3级细根的影响更为显著。比根长随氮素水平升高逐渐减小, 但其他细根特征并未呈现与氮素水平的线性关系。(2) 0.5X和1.0X酚酸梯度相比, 欧美杨107的1-2级细根直径和体积随酚酸浓度增加而显著增大(p < 0.05)。酚酸和氮素对杨树细根的影响存在交互作用, 1-2级细根直径、体积受酚酸的影响显著, 而4-5级细根长度、表面积受氮素影响显著。双因素方差分析结果表明, 酚酸和氮素对细根形态建成具有协同或拮抗效应。(3)主成分分析(PCA)和冗余分析(RDA)结果表明, 在酚酸和氮素交互效应下, 杨树1-3级、 4级、 5级细根之间具有显著的形态差异。第一主成分主要体现细根觅食性状特征, 可解释细根形态变异的60.9%的信息; 第二主成分主要体现细根形态构建特征, 可解释25.3%的信息。杨树细根形态变化与根序高度相关, N素影响杨树细根形态的主效应较酚酸更强。因此, 根际环境中酚酸累积和氮素有效性变化会影响杨树细根的形态构建和细根对水分、养分的吸收, 而氮素有效性是影响杨树细根生长的重要因素, 开展杨树人工林土壤养分管理是林分生产力长期维持的关键。