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.     

关于氮有效性影响细根生产量和周转率的四个假说

在全球变化如氮沉降及温度升高等可能导致土壤氮有效性增加的背景下,细根动态如何变化一直是陆地生态学研究中的一个重要内容.本文综述了前人提出的细根动态响应土壤N有效性提高的4个代表性假说:1)细根生产量和周转率都提高;2)细根生产量和周转率都下降;3)细根生产量下降,周转率提高;4)细根生产量提高,周转率下降.根据2000年以来以微根管方法为主测得的根系动态数据,笔者认为假说1)和假说2)得到的支持最为充分.此外,还探讨了树种、细根异质性、菌根真菌、细根采样方法和施肥方法等对上述各假说检验的影响.     

中亚热带森林植物多样性增加导致细根生物量“超产”

细根在森林生态系统C分配和养分循环过程中发挥着重要作用, 但对地下细根与植物多样性之间关系的研究相对较少。该研究选择中亚热带从单一树种的杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata)人工林到多树种的常绿阔叶林(青冈(Cyclobalanopsis glauca)-石栎(Lithocarpus glaber)林)的不同植物多样性梯度, 用根钻法采集细根并测定其生物量, 用Win-RHIZO 2005C根系分析系统测定细根形态参数, 以验证以下3个假设: 1)植物种类丰富度高的林分其细根生产存在“地下超产”现象; 2)根系空间生态位的分离水平是否随着植物多样性增多而增大? 3)细根是否通过形态可塑性对林木竞争做出响应?结果显示: 从单一树种的杉木人工林到植物种类较复杂的青冈-石栎常绿阔叶林, 0-30 cm土层的林分细根总生物量和活细根生物量均呈增加的趋势, 即细根总生物量为杉木林(305.20 g·m^-2) <马尾松(Pinus massoniana)林(374.25 g·m^-2) <南酸枣(Choerospondias axillaris)林(537.42 g·m^-2) <青冈林(579.33 g·m^-2), 活细根生物量为杉木林(268.74 g·m^-2) <马尾松林(299.15 g·m^-2) <南酸枣林(457.32 g·m^-2) <青冈林(508.47 g·m^-2), 各森林类型之间的细根总生物量差异显著(p < 0.05), 但活细根生物量差异不显著。土壤垂直剖面上, 除杉木林细根生物量随土层变化不显著外, 其他森林类型的活细根生物量和总细根生物量均随土层变化显著, 表层细根生物量随树种多样性的升高呈减小趋势, 据此推测树种间的生态位分离水平逐渐增大。植物多样性的不同对林分的细根形态及空间分布格局影响不显著, 细根形态可塑性对生物量变化响应不明显。     

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.     

Soil micro-habitat effects on fine roots of Chamaecyparis obtusa Endl.: A field experiment using root ingrowth cores

Ingrowth cores in the field were used to compare fine root characteristics of hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) among rooting substrate in the form of needle leaf litter, decomposing organic material, and mineral soil. Fine root growth, morphology, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) associations, and tissue C and N concentration were determined. The inorganic N leaching from each soil substrate was taken as a measure of N availability. Although there was no significant difference in total N leaching among substrates, more NH ₊ ⁴ -N leached from the decomposing organic material than other substrates. Rapid fine root production was observed in the organic material, whereas root production in the litter substrate was suppressed. Annual net fine root productions in litter, organic material, and mineral soil were 51, 193, and 132 g m⁻², respectively. In the leaf litter substrate, AM colonization was suppressed and specific root length was higher than in the other substrates, indicating severe nutrient limitation in the litter. These responses of hinoki cypress roots seemed to be a soil exploitation pattern whereby absorptive fine roots were arranged to maximize nutrient acquisition.     

氮有效性增加对细根解剖、形态特征和菌根侵染的影响

氮(N)有效性增加对森林生态系统结构和功能有重要影响.细根作为树木地下最为活跃的组分,其对N有效性增加的响应已成为森林生态学研究的热点.本文对N有效性增加条件下细根解剖构造、形态和菌根侵染的响应趋势及潜在机制进行了综述.N有效性增加导致细根皮层厚度、皮层层数和皮层细胞直径下降,外皮层上通道细胞数量减少,而中柱和木质部横截面积,以及导管(或管胞)直径、数量和壁厚度均增加,根解剖构造的响应与植物激素浓度变化有关;N有效性增加后菌根侵染率下降,比根长(单位根干质量的长度)在外生菌根树种中普遍下降,而在内生菌根树种中增加;根直径和组织密度的变化趋势则表现出较大的种间差异.这些个体根和树种水平上的结果对于理解森林生态系统水平上的碳和养分循环具有重要意义.最后,根据目前研究中存在的不足提出了今后的研究方向与问题.     

常绿阔叶林外生和丛枝菌根树种细根形态和构型性状对氮添加的可塑性响应

以中亚热带常绿阔叶林外生菌根树种罗浮栲和丛枝菌根树种木荷为研究对象,采用根袋法进行野外原位氮添加试验,研究了细根形态性状(比根长、比表面积、组织密度、平均根直径)和构型性状(分枝数、分枝比、根长增长速率、根尖密度、分枝密度),分析不同菌根树种细根形态和构型性状对氮沉降的响应。结果表明: 随序级增加,外生和丛枝菌根树种细根比根长、比表面积和分枝数对氮添加的塑性响应逐渐降低,组织密度则相反;这反映了不同分枝等级细根的养分获取与资源维持在序级间存在权衡关系。不同菌根树种对土壤氮有效性的变化采取不同的适应对策: 氮添加后,罗浮栲细根采取机会主义策略,依靠细根本身来提高养分吸收效率、增强空间扩展和就地养分吸收能力,以快速的养分吸收策略为主;而木荷通过养分吸收效率和根系构建成本之间的权衡,并未改变细根形态性状,更多地依赖于菌根菌和细根构型之间的互补性进行养分获取。外生和丛枝菌根树种维持和构建细根碳(C)成本的差异,导致细根采取最适合自身的养分捕获方式,以达到生存的最优策略。     

Mean annual temperature influences local fine root proliferation and arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization in a tropical wet forest

Mean annual temperature (MAT) is an influential climate factor affecting the bioavailability of growth‐limiting nutrients nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). In tropical montane wet forests, warmer MAT drives higher N bioavailability, while patterns of P availability are inconsistent across MAT. Two important nutrient acquisition strategies, fine root proliferation into bulk soil and root association with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, are dependent on C availability to the plant via primary production. The case study presented here tests whether variation in bulk soil N bioavailability across a tropical montane wet forest elevation gradient (5.2°C MAT range) influences (a) morphology fine root proliferation into soil patches with elevated N, P, and N+P relative to background soil and (b) arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) colonization of fine roots in patches. We created a fully factorial fertilized root ingrowth core design (N, P, N+P, unfertilized control) representing soil patches with elevated N and P bioavailability relative to background bulk soil. Our results show that percent AMF colonization of roots increased with MAT (r² = .19, p = .004), but did not respond to fertilization treatments. Fine root length (FRL), a proxy for root foraging, increased with MAT in N+P‐fertilized patches only (p = .02), while other fine root morphological parameters did not respond to the gradient or fertilized patches. We conclude that in N‐rich, fine root elongation into areas with elevated N and P declines while AMF abundance increases with MAT. These results indicate a tradeoff between P acquisition strategies occurring with changing N bioavailability, which may be influenced by higher C availability with warmer MAT.     

长白山原始阔叶红松（Pinus koraiensis）林及其次生林细根生物量与垂直分布特征

以我国东北长白山自然保护区内同一海拔梯度的原始阔叶红松林及其次生林——白桦山杨成熟林和白桦山杨幼林为对象,采用土钻取样法对不同演替阶段细根生物量的变化、细根垂直分布规律及其影响因子进行系统地研究。研究结果表明,在原始阔叶红松林的正向演替过程中,林地细根的总生物量逐渐增加,其中主要乔木细根的生物量逐渐增加,而灌木和草本细根的生物量则逐渐降低。在演替过程中,细根的垂直分布逐渐加深。在长白山地区,3块林地中细根生物量的组成分布受林分植被组成的影响;细根的垂直分布与土壤容重、水分含量以及不同土层中C、N含量存在一定的相关性,但与土壤温度则不存在相关关系。     

Fire effects on mycorrhizal symbiosis and root system architecture in southern African savanna grasses

Mycorrhizal symbiosis is a key factor influencing aspects of grassland and savanna structure and functioning including plant growth, competition, population and community dynamics, and responses to fire and herbivory. This study assessed the effects of fire on mycorrhizal symbiosis and root system architecture (RSA) in South African savanna grasses. Eighteen grass species were sampled across contrasting fire frequency treatments in the Kruger National Park experimental burn plots. All eighteen species studied were highly colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Both mycorrhizal symbiosis and RSA were strongly affected by fire, with an increase in AMF colonization and a decrease in root branching and fine root development with decreasing fire frequency. Greater water limitation in frequently burned savanna may result in greater fine root development, thus reducing plant dependency on AMF for acquisition of soil resources. Reduced mycorrhizal colonization in frequently burned savanna may also be driven by higher phosphorus : nitrogen ratios, or indirect effects related to higher grazing intensities in frequently burned sites.     

樟子松人工林细根寿命估计及影响因子研究

细根寿命的估计是了解细根生产和死亡的关键, 对了解陆地生态系统碳分配格局和养分循环具有重要意义。该研究采用微根管(minirhizotron)技术, 以23年生樟子松(Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica)人工林为研究对象, 对细根生长和死亡过程进行了连续两年的观测。细根寿命的估计采用Kaplan-Meier方法, 计算细根的平均寿命(mean longevity)、中值寿命(median longevity)和累积存活率(cumulative survival rate), 用对数秩检验(log-rank test)比较单一因素, 包括细根直径、根序、出生季节和土层以及菌根侵染对细根寿命的影响。采用Cox比例风险回归分析方法, 同时分析上述因素对细根存活的影响程度。结果表明, 樟子松细根的生产和死亡具有明显的季节性, 春末和夏季(6月和7月)为生产高峰; 而死亡高峰出现在夏末至秋末, 以及冬季。樟子松细根的平均和中值寿命分别为(322 ± 10)天和(310 ± 15)天, 对数秩检验表明, 仅考虑单一因子时, 细根直径、根序、出生季节和土层以及菌根侵染均对细根寿命有显著影响。Cox回归分析表明, 菌根侵染、细根直径和土层是影响樟子松细根寿命的重要因子。细根直径每增加1 mm, 细根死亡危险率就降低99%, 即相当于寿命延长99%; 细根出生土层每增加1 cm, 其寿命延长5%; 而菌根侵染后, 会导致细根死亡危险率增加175%; 但根序和出生季节的影响不显著。这些发现证实: 林木细根寿命受到内在与外在因素的共同控制, 而多变量回归分析的方法有助于我们全面揭示细根寿命变异的潜在机制。     

树木根系碳分配格局及其影响因子

根系作为树木提供养分和水分的“源”和消耗C的“汇”,在陆地生态系统C平衡研究中具有重要的理论意义。尽管20多年来的研究已经认识到根系消耗净初级生产力占总净初级生产力较大的比例,但是,根系（尤其是细根）消耗C的机理以及C分配的去向一直没有研究清楚。主要原因是细根消耗光合产物的生理生态过程相当复杂,准确估计各个组分消耗的C具有很大的不确定性,常常受树种和环境空间和时间异质性、以及研究方法的限制。综述了分配到地下的C主要去向,即细根生产和周转、呼吸及养分吸收与同化、分泌有机物、土壤植食动物,及有关林木地下碳分配机理的几种假说,分析了地下碳分配估计中存在的不确定性。目的是在全球变化C循环研究中对生态系统地下部分根系消耗的C以及分配格局引起重视。     

林木细根寿命及其影响因子研究进展

 细根周转要消耗大量的C,它影响森林生态系统C分配格局与过程和养分循环,对生态系统生产力具有重要意义。细根的周转取决于细根的寿命,细根寿命越短,周转越快,根系对C的消耗也越多。大量研究表明,细根的寿命与地上部分C向根系供应的多少有密切关系,同时也与细根直径大小、土壤中N和水分的有效性、土壤温度以及根际周围的土壤动物和微生物的活动有关。本文综述了国外近年来在该领域里的研究进展,特别是对控制细根寿命的机理和主要影响因子进行了评述,目的是引起国内研究者的关注,促进我国根系生态学的研究与发展。     

大兴安岭典型森林沼泽植物叶片和细根碳氮磷化学计量特征

探究大兴安岭典型森林沼泽不同植物叶片和细根生态化学计量特征,能够为进一步认识高纬度气候敏感生态系统养分利用策略和物质循环过程提供依据。对大兴安岭地区兴安落叶松-苔草、兴安落叶松-笃斯越桔-藓类和兴安落叶松-杜香-泥炭藓3种典型森林沼泽19种优势和亚优势维管植物叶片和细根碳氮磷计量特征(C∶N∶P)进行比较,分析不同森林沼泽类型、植物生长型和菌根类型叶片和细根C∶N∶P差异,通过标准化主轴回归分析叶片与细根C∶N∶P的关系。结果表明: 叶片C∶N∶P在种间水平具有最大的变异(42.5%～84.6%),且叶片和细根种间变异大小均为N∶P>C∶N>C∶P。土壤养分和水分含量较高的兴安落叶松-苔草沼泽叶片与细根C∶N和C∶P值较低,且3种森林沼泽植物叶片和细根N∶P均小于10,受N限制。草本植物叶片C∶P和细根C∶N、C∶P显著低于木本植物。外生菌根和杜鹃花类菌根植物叶片和细根C∶N和C∶P高于丛枝菌根和无菌根植物,且杜鹃花类菌根植物叶片和细根C∶P显著高于外生菌根植物。不同森林沼泽、生长型、菌根类型植物叶片和细根C∶N和C∶P差异明显,而N∶P相对稳定。森林沼泽植物叶片与细根C∶N、C∶P和N∶P呈线性正相关,植物地上与地下部分在生态化学计量特征上存在协同。     

落叶松和水曲柳人工林细根生长、死亡和周转

 细根周转是陆地生态系统碳分配格局与过程的核心环节,而细根周转估计的关键是了解细根的生长和死亡动态。该研究以18年生落叶松(Larix gmelinii)和水曲柳(Fraxi nus mandshurica)人工林为对象,采用微根管（Minirhizotron）技术对两树种0～40 cm深度的细根生长和死亡动态进行了为期1年的观测,研究了两树种细根在不同土层深度的生长与死亡动态、细根周转以及与土壤有效氮含量、土壤温度、大气温度和降水的关系。结果表明：1） 落叶松平均细根生长（Root length density production, RLDP）0.0045 mm•cm^－2•d^－1）明显低于水曲柳RLDP（0.0077 mm•cm^－2•d^－1）。两个树种细根平均RLDP在表层（0～10 cm）最大,而底层（30～40 cm）最小 ,两树种平均细根死亡（Root length density mortality, RLDM）也表现同样规律 。水曲柳春季生长的细根占41.7%,夏季占39.7%,而落叶松细根生长分别是24.0%和51.2%,水曲柳细根死亡主要发生在春季（34.3%） 和夏季（34.0%）,而落叶松细根死亡主要发生在夏季和秋季（分别占28.5%和32.3%）,两 树种细根生长与死亡在冬季均较小;2）落叶松细根年生长量（0.94 mm•cm^－2•a^－1）和年死亡量（0.72 mm•cm^－2•a^－1）明显低于水曲柳（1.52和1.21 mm•cm^－2•a^－1）,两树种细根表层年生长量和年死亡量均最高,底层最低。落叶松细根年周转为3.1次•a^－1（按年生长量计算）和2.4次•a^－1（按年死亡量计算）,相比较,水曲柳细根年周转分别为2.7次•a^－1和2.2次•a^－1;3）土壤有效氮含量、土壤温度、大气温度和降水综合作用影响细根生长和死亡动态,可以解释细根生长80%的变异和细根死亡95%以上的变异。     

A global analysis of fine root production as affected by soil nitrogen and phosphorus

Fine root production is the largest component of belowground production and plays substantial roles in the biogeochemical cycles of terrestrial ecosystems. The increasing availability of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) due to human activities is expected to increase aboveground net primary production (ANNP), but the response of fine root production to N and P remains unclear. If roots respond to nutrients as ANNP, fine root production is anticipated to increase with increasing soil N and P. Here, by synthesizing data along the nutrient gradient from 410 natural habitats and from 469 N and/or P addition experiments, we showed that fine root production increased in terrestrial ecosystems with an average increase along the natural N gradient of up to 0.5 per cent with increasing soil N. Fine root production also increased with soil P in natural conditions, particularly at P < 300 mg kg(-1). With N, P and combined N + P addition, fine root production increased by a global average of 27, 21 and 40 per cent, respectively. However, its responses differed among ecosystems and soil types. The global average increases in fine root production are lower than those of ANNP, indicating that above- and belowground counterparts are coupled, but production allocation shifts more to aboveground with higher soil nutrients. Our results suggest that the increasing fertilizer use and combined N deposition at present and in the future will stimulate fine root production, together with ANPP, probably providing a significant influence on atmospheric CO(2) emissions.     

青海省森林细根生物量及其影响因子

细根是植物吸收水分和养分的主要器官。全球变暖背景下,研究森林细根生物量及其环境因子的变化对生态系统碳平衡、碳收支及其贡献率具有重要意义。采用土钻法和室内分析法对青海省森林6个海拔梯度上5种林分类型的细根生物量和土壤理化性质进行测定,并分析了与环境因子之间的相互关系。结果表明:(1)青海省森林0—40 cm土层总细根生物量平均为8.50 t/hm~2,随着海拔梯度的增加先降低后升高,不同海拔梯度细根生物量差异显著(P0.05),最大值出现在2100—2400 m处。(2)5种林分0—40 cm土层总细根生物量为:白桦白杨云杉圆柏山杨,不同林分间细根生物量差异不显著。(3)细根垂直分布随土层深度增加而减少,且70%的细根集中在表层(0—20 cm)。(4)土壤容重深层(20—40 cm)显著大于表层(P0.05),并随海拔梯度逐步增加,且林分间差异较大。(5)全碳(Total carbon, TC)、全氮(Total nitrogen, TN)、全磷(Total phosphorus, TP)含量表层显著高于深层。TC、TN随海拔升高先增后降低,TP则随海拔逐步降低。不同林分间土壤养分差异较明显。(6)结构方程模型分析得到海拔、土层、容重直接影响细根生物量,细根生物量直接影响土壤养分。林分类型通过土壤容重间接影响细根生物量。因此,林分和海拔通过影响土壤微环境而影响到细根生物量及其空间分布格局。     

Fine root chemistry and decomposition in model communities of north-temperate tree species show little response to elevated atmospheric CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and varying soil resource availability

Rising atmospheric [CO₂] has the potential to alter soil carbon (C) cycling by increasing the content of recalcitrant constituents in plant litter, thereby decreasing rates of decomposition. Because fine root turnover constitutes a large fraction of annual NPP, changes in fine root decomposition are especially important. These responses will likely be affected by soil resource availability and the life history characteristics of the dominant tree species. We evaluated the effects of elevated atmospheric [CO₂] and soil resource availability on the production and chemistry, mycorrhizal colonization, and decomposition of fine roots in an early- and late-successional tree species that are economically and ecologically important in north temperate forests. Open-top chambers were used to expose young trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum) trees to ambient (36 Pa) and elevated (56 Pa) atmospheric CO₂. Soil resource availability was composed of two treatments that bracketed the range found in the Upper Lake States, USA. After 2.5 years of growth, sugar maple had greater fine root standing crop due to relatively greater allocation to fine roots (30% of total root biomass) relative to aspen (7% total root biomass). Relative to the low soil resources treatment, aspen fine root biomass increased 76% with increased soil resource availability, but only under elevated [CO₂]. Sugar maple fine root biomass increased 26% with increased soil resource availability (relative to the low soil resources treatment), and showed little response to elevated [CO₂]. Concentrations of N and soluble phenolics, and C/N ratio in roots were similar for the two species, but aspen had slightly higher lignin and lower condensed tannins contents compared to sugar maple. As predicted by source-sink models of carbon allocation, pooled constituents (C/N ratio, soluble phenolics) increased in response to increased relative carbon availability (elevated [CO₂]/low soil resource availability), however, biosynthetically distinct compounds (lignin, starch, condensed tannins) did not always respond as predicted. We found that mycorrhizal colonization of fine roots was not strongly affected by atmospheric [CO₂] or soil resource availability, as indicated by root ergosterol contents. Overall, absolute changes in root chemical composition in response to increases in C and soil resource availability were small and had no effect on soil fungal biomass or specific rates of fine root decomposition. We conclude that root contributions to soil carbon cycling will mainly be influenced by fine root production and turnover responses to rising atmospheric [CO₂], rather than changes in substrate chemistry.     

Interactive effects of soil warming and nitrogen addition on fine root production of Chinese fir seedlings

Aims There have been a large number of studies on the independent separate responses of fine roots to warming and nitrogen deposition, but with contradictory reporting. Fine root production plays a critical role in ecosystem carbon, nutrient and water cycling, yet how it responds to the interactive warming and nitrogen addition is not well understood. In the present study, we aimed to examine the interactive effects of soil warming and nitrogen addition on fine root growth of 1-year-old Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) seedlings in subtropical China.
Methods A mesocosm experiment, with a factorial design of soil warming (ambient, +5 °C) and nitrogen addition (ambient, ambient + 40 kg·hm^-2·a^-1, ambient + 80 kg·hm^-2·a^-1), was carried out in the Chenda State-owned Forest Farm in Sanming City, Fujian Province, China. Fine root production (indexed by the number of fine roots emerged per tube of one year) was measured biweekly using minirhizotrons from March of 2014 to February of 2015.
Important findings (1) The two-way ANOVA showed that soil warming had a significant effect on fine root production, while nitrogen addition and soil warming × nitrogen addition had no effect. (2) The three-way ANOVA (soil warming, nitrogen addition and diameter class) showed that soil warming, diameter class and soil warming × diameter class had significant effects on fine root production, especially for the number of fine roots in 0-1 mm diameter class that had been significantly increased by soil warming. Compared with the 1-2 mm roots, the 0-1 mm roots seemed more flexible. (3) Repeated measures of ANOVA (soil warming, nitrogen addition and season) showed that soil warming, season, soil warming × season, and soil warming × nitrogen addition × season had significant effects on fine root production. In spring, the number of fine roots was significantly increased both by soil warming and soil warming × season, while soil warming, nitrogen addition, soil warming × nitrogen addition significantly decreased fine root production in the summer. (4) Soil warming, soil layer, soil warming × soil layer had significant effects on fine root production. The number of in-growth fine roots was significantly increased by soil warming at the 20-30 cm depth only. It seemed that warming forced fine roots to grow deeper in the soil. In conclusion, soil warming significantly increased fine root production, but they had different responses and were dependent of different diameter classes, seasons and soil layers. Nitrogen addition had no effect on fine root production. Only in spring and summer, soil warming and nitrogen addition had significant interactive effects.     

Changes in arbuscular mycorrhizal associations and fine root traits in sites under different plant successional phases in southern Brazil

Fine root morphological traits and distribution, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, soil fertility, and nutrient concentration in fine root tissue were compared in sites under different successional phases: grass plants, secondary forest, and mature forest in Londrina county, Paraná state, southern Brazil. Soil cores were collected randomly at the 0-10- and 10-20-cm depths in three quadrants (50 m2) in each site. Plants from the different successional stages displayed high differences in fine root distribution, fine root traits, and mycorrhizal root colonization. There were increases in the concentration of nutrients both in soil and fine roots and decrease of bulk soil density along the succession. The fine root biomass and diameter increased with the succession progress. The total fine root length, specific root length, root hair length, and root hair incidence decreased with the succession advance. Similarly, the mycorrhizal root colonization and the density of AM fungi spores in the soil decreased along the succession. Mycorrhizal root colonization and spore density were positively correlated with fine root length, specific root length, root hair length, root hair incidence, and bulk density and negatively correlated with fine root diameter and concentration of some nutrients both in soil and root tissues. Nutrient concentration in root tissue and in soil was positively correlated with fine root diameter and negatively correlated with specific root length, root hair length, and root hair incidence. These results suggest different adaptation strategies of plant roots for soil exploration and mineral acquisition among the different successional stages. Early successional stages displayed plants with fine root morphology and AM fungi colonization to improve the root functional efficiencies for uptake of nutrients and faster soil resource exploration. Late successional stages displayed plants with fine root morphology and mycorrhizal symbiosis for both a lower rate of soil proliferation and soil exploration capacity to acquire nutrients.