The Developmental Anatomy of the Seminal Root of Wheat

Wheat embryo usually gives rise to five seminal roots in matured caryopsls, although, the sixth root might develop in some cases. The first one is known as the primary root. Primary root emerged early, and its primodium was distinctly originated from the proembryo and could be gradually identified as three layers of initials. Lateral seminal roots emerged later from the embryonic axis in pairs, and originated from the surrouding cells of the procambium. Differentiation of lateral roots was much more vigorous than that of the first seminal root (primary root), and, its mother cells of metaxylem vessel appeared soon, Lateral seminal roots usually had more metaxylem vessels. In short, only the first root is the primary root, the lateral seminal roots are adventitious in nature, since their structures are similar to those of other adventitious roots.     

小麦种子根的发育解剖

小麦胚胎发育过程中通常形成5条幼根(少数可形成6条),这些根统称为种子根,中间最先发生的为初生根.初生根的原基在胚胎发育的早期就在胚轴的一侧发生,原基细胞由不规则到规则排列。侧生种子根的原基在胚胎发育后期才出现,通常成对发生,并且是由胚轴上的节(盾片节和胚芽鞘节)维管束外方的细胞形成。侧生种子根的发育明显较初生根的快,分化能力也较强,后生木质部导管母细胞出现早,数目较多.因此,小麦胚胎发育过程中从胚轴上形成的这些侧生的种子根,形态上,仍应看作是一些不定根,其结构特征与后来形成须根系的不定根的比较近似。     

Applications of functional classification methods for tree fine root biomass estimation: Advancements and synthesis

The morphology of fine root branching of woody plants is highly variable in their forms and functions. In the past two decades, researchers have increasingly recognized that the root-diameter-based method, using an arbitrary size of root diameter, failed to precisely characterize the physiological and ecological processes involved in finest roots. The number of publications using root-order-based approaches has increased regardless the fact that root trait-measurements based on root order are time-consuming and labor-intensive. A new approach—root functional classification method—was proposed and had been applied in the literature. The functional classification of fine roots separates roots of < 2 mm to absorptive and transport pools, making it more feasible for studies on root biomass and turnover. This new concept redefines fine root guild and has great potentials for future studies. Our literature review of the topic indicates that less is known about the inter-specific differences in estimates of biomass of absorptive and/or transport roots, with a large variation of absorptive roots on global scale. In addition, our review emphasizes the importance in: a) precision estimating of the absorptive biomass of fine roots, and b) proper definition of the range of the transport roots within and among forest ecosystems. Finally, after compare the strengths and weaknesses of the functional classification method, we propose several specific suggestions to improve the applications of this approach.     

梯田埂坎立地植物根系分布特征及其对土壤水分的影响

在标准株选择的基础上,采用整株挖掘法研究活性根的特征,采用旱季0～200cm土层土壤水分定点观测的方法观测土壤含水量,并籍此计算土壤水分相对亏缺值来描述梯田埂坎附近土壤水分的变化。研究显示,4个植物种在根系深度、生物量和根长分布、对土壤水分的影响方面具有不同的特征。柽柳根系深达757cm,根系生物量和根长在0～100cm土层范围内均匀减少。但粗根在整个根系中占支配地位,细根的生物量和根长主要集中在0～40cm土层中。杞柳根系分布在0～40cm土层中,占全部根系生物量的86．0％。但粗根占绝对优势。40cm以下土层中(杞柳根系分布的最大深度为305cm)根系生物量和根长逐渐下降,但细根长度超过粗根。杞柳的部分根系分布高于着生平面,而且这部分根系中细根占绝对优势。柠条的根系分布特征与杞柳相似,但粗根的比例大于杞柳。新疆杨根系分布较浅,最大深度仅为136cm。在0～40cm土层中,新疆杨根系生物量占总根系生物量的77．2％。60cm土层以下根系生物量急剧下降,根长在80cm以下同样急剧减少。在新疆杨的整个根系分布层中,虽然粗根在生物量上占优势,但细根长度远大于粗根。研究结果还显示,栽植不同植物种的埂坎附近水平范围内存在明显的土壤水分亏缺。柽柳埂坎、杞柳埂坎、拧条埂坎、新疆杨埂坎的水分亏缺范围分别为230cm,437cm,274cm和399cm。垂直范围内,在4个测点均有一个土壤水分从表层往下增加的土层,该层在30～70cm范围内变化,只是随距埂坎的距离和植物种不同而不同。增加层以下,土壤水分开始持续下降至70cm到200cm土层,具体的下降深度也因植物种和距埂坎的距离不同而不同。建议,(1)根系深、对土壤水分影响较小的柽柳是黄土高原地区较为理想的农林复合树种;(2)杞柳应栽植在梯田软硬埂的结合部,约在梯田埂坎高度的1／3到2／3处,并且采取及时平茬和秋粮作物配置的方法调控系统的竞争关系;(3)柠条可采取与杞柳相似的栽植和调控办法;(4)根系分布浅、对水分影响较大的新疆杨,除栽植在埂坎顶部外成活比较困难,不是合适的埂坎栽植树种。     

Root strength,growth, and rates of decay: root reinforcement changes of two tree species and their contribution to slope stability

Information on live root-wood strength, rates of root decay and root growth of both radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) and kanuka (Kunzea ericoides (A. Rich.) Joy Thomps. var. ericoides) are combined to form a generalized conceptual model of changes in nett root reinforcement. The model provides an initial opportunity to rank the plant species having specific below-ground rooting habits that can be used to control erosion, and when linked with extreme flood probability can be used to indicate the risk of a storm likely to cause slope instability in the period between clear-felling and regrowth. Erosion-susceptible slopes planted 1 year after clearfelling in radiata pine at 1250 stems ha^-1 regain root site-occupancy in 4.7 years, an interval during which there is an 80% chance of experiencing an extreme flood. Similarly for radiata planted at 800 and 400 stems ha^-1, root site-occupancy is regained in 5.6 and 7.5 years, and the probability of occurrence of an extreme event within these periods is 85 and 90%, respectively. For erosion-susceptible slopes on which kanuka has become established, the probability of a significant event within the 2.8 years prior to root site-occupancy is 60%. Slopes felled of radiata pine are potentially more vulnerable to the stresses promoting slope instability, at least in the earlier years. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The origin and success of polyploids in the boreal circumpolar Flora: A new analysis

Summary

Data are summarised that support the secondary contact-balanced hybridity of polyploid evolution in plants. This states that polyploids are most likely to arise and achieve initial success in regions where alternate isolation plus differentiation followed by reunion and hybridisation, in the broadest sense of the word, are most likely to occur. The initial polyploids vary greatly in their evolutionary success. With the passage of time, a small proportion of the original neopolyploids evolve into mesopolyploids, that are widespread, aggressive colonisers, and become abundant over a broad geographical and ecological range. Even later, some of these become diploidised. The resulting paleopolyploids are more like diploids than their original polyploid ancestors with respect to gene pools, geographical distribution and different ecological situations occupied in any region. These conclusions are well supported by a preliminary analysis of polyploidy in the flora of Alaskan Beringia, but more extensive and thorough analyses are needed. Additional data support the hypothesis that chromosome doubling by itself does not adapt plants to withstand severe ecological conditions, such as cold and drought. Finally, high chromosome numbers in some species of angiosperms, plus even higher numbers in a few groups of spore bearing vascular plants, indicate that there is no generally valid ceiling to chromosome numbers. Polyploidisation occurs in cycles. If favourable adjustments of gene dosage occur between cycles, later cycles can include multiplication of base numbers that are already polyploid with reference to the original number of the genus or family.     

The production and release of living root cap border cells is a function of root apical meristem type in dicotyledonous angiosperm plants

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The root apical meristems (RAM) of flowering plant roots are organized into recognizable pattern types. At present, there are no known ecological or physiological benefits to having one RAM organization type over another. Although there are phylogenetic distribution patterns in plant groups, the possible evolutionary advantages of different RAM organization patterns are not understood. Root caps of many flowering plant roots are known to release living border cells into the rhizosphere, where the cells are believed to have the capacity to alter conditions in the soil and to interact with soil micro-organisms. Consequently, high rates of border cell production may have the potential to benefit plant growth and development greatly, and to provide a selective advantage in certain soil environments. This study reports the use of several approaches to elucidate the anatomical and developmental relationships between RAM organization and border cell production. METHODS: RAM types from many species were compared with numbers of border cells released in those species. In addition, other species were grown, fixed and sectioned to verify their organization type and capacity to produce border cells. Root tips were examined microscopically to characterize their pattern and some were stained to determine the viability of root cap cells. KEY RESULTS: The first report of a correlation between RAM organization type and the production and release of border cells is provided: species exhibiting open RAM organization produce significantly more border cells than species exhibiting closed apical organization. Roots with closed apical organization release peripheral root cap cells in sheets or large groups of dead cells, whereas root caps with open organization release individual living border cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study, the first to document a relationship between RAM organization, root cap behaviour and a possible ecological benefit to the plant, may yield a framework to examine the evolutionary causes for the diversification of RAM organization types across taxa.     

ROOTMAP—a model in three-dimensional coordinates of the growth and structure of fibrous root systems

A model is described which simulates the growth of fibrous root systems. The root growth is specified in terms of growing time, numbers of axes, initiation times of axes, growth rates and branching characteristics of the roots, and characteristics governing the direction of root growth. The model generates a representation of the root system in which the locations of all branches and root tips are recorded in three-dimensional coordinates, and updates this representation in discrete time steps until the specified growing time is reached. Data are presented from a simulation of wheat root growth by the model. The simulated root system is represented pictorially and also graphically in the form of root length and root tip number profiles which are stratified by branching order class. The pictorial representations produced by the model are much more realistic than any which have been produced by past root growth models, and the graphical representations show trends in root length and root tip numbers which are the same as those commonly observed in real roots.     

植物生根的分子机理研究进展

随着无性系育种在农林业上的广泛应用,其生根难的问题显得尤为突出。通过查阅相关文献,本文探讨了影响植物根发育的分子机理。从植物激素,主要从生长素调控植物根发育的分子机理;细胞周期相关基因影响植物根发育和与细胞壁形成相关的基因影响植物根发育等方面叙述了目前关于植物根发育的研究进展。并提出了解决研究生根分子机理材料难选择问题的方法。     

A plant root system architectural taxonomy: A framework for root nomenclature

Abstract

Research into root system morphology over the last two centuries has developed a diverse set of terminologies that are difficult to apply consistently across species and research specialties. In response to a need for better communication, a workshop held by the International Society for Root Research established some nomenclature standards for root research. These standards and their justification are presented in this study. A framework for a root system architectural taxonomy is created by defining four main classes of root: the tap root, that is, the first root to emerge from the seed; lateral roots, which are branches of other roots; shoot‐borne roots, which arise from shoot tissues; and basal roots, which develop from the hypocotyl, that is, the organ which is between the base of the shoot and the base of the tap root. It is concluded that adherence to the presented taxonomy will reduce confusion and eliminate some of the current confounding of results.     

Effects of Soil Structure on Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Root Development According to Sowing Date and Cultivar

Spring peas are known to be very sensitive to compaction, particularly when sowing takes place soon after winter. Winter peas, which are sown in autumn, should present an opportunity to sow the crop in better soil structural conditions than for spring peas, because of more favourable moisture conditions at that time. As environmental conditions have a big influence on root systems, it is important to determine the effects of soil structure on pea root systems for different cultivars and sowing dates. A spring pea cultivar and a winter pea cultivar were both sown at two dates (one in autumn and one in spring) on soils with different plough-layer structures (compacted and uncompacted) at two sites in 2002 and one site in 2003. Soil structure was characterised by bulk density and the percentage of highly compacted zones in the ploughed layer. Root distribution maps were produced every month, from February to maturity. Root development was described in terms of general root dynamics, root elongation rate (RER) in the subsoil, final maximum root depth (Dmax) and root distribution at maturity. Root depth dynamics depended on compaction and its interaction with climatic conditions. The effects of compaction on RER in the subsoil depended on the experimental conditions. Dmax was reduced by 0.10 m by compaction. Compaction also reduced root distribution between 10 and 40% in the ploughed layer only. Pea cultivars differed in sensitivity to soil compaction, with a direct effect on the final depth explored by roots. These results are discussed in terms of their relevance to water and nutrient uptake.     

Sample preparation and scanning protocol for computerised analysis of root length and diameter

Root length and diameter distribution are important characteristics to be considered when describing and comparing root systems. Root length and root-diameter distribution may be obtained in two ways: by microscopical measurements, which are laborious, or by computerised analysis, which is fast but sensitive to the scanning protocol. Although scanning protocols vary widely between laboratories, papers rarely report the details. Using two commercially available root analysis software packages (Delta-T Scan and WinRHIZO), we performed a sensitivity analysis of scanning protocols for estimating root length and diameter distribution. The results are shown graphically, rather than numerically, because the interactions between different parameters in the overall scanning protocol are most clearly illustrated by the shape of the curves. The present analysis clearly demonstrated the sensitivity of the two scanning methods with regard to staining period, maximum root density, scanning resolution and transformation threshold. For example, estimating the root-diameter distribution versus measuring root length, puts opposite constraints on the transformation threshold settings. We suggest the following settings for the most sensitive parameters: a staining period of 24 h, a root density of less than 0.5 mm root per mm² surface, a resolution of 400 dpi and the automatic threshold for WinRHIZO and a brightness of 200 for Delta-T Scan. According to this protocol, comparison of computerised analyses with microscopic measurements showed good total root length and diameter distribution agreement for three contrasting root systems. We suggest to always start with the present protocol when studying other species. If validation indicates that the proposed scanning protocol needs to be modified for other species, the present sensitivity analysis may be used as a guideline for changing the most critical parameters. Similarly, the use of another stain than neutral red may also require modifications of the scanning protocol. In general, a long staining period (e.g., 24 h) is recommended for all stains, as small differences in staining period have the least effect when the root tissue is saturated. To enhance comparability of results in the literature, the staining period, stain, (maximum) root density, scanner resolution and threshold should always be listed when root data obtained by scanning are presented. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

玉米初生根和不同层次次生根的直径和大量元素含量的比较分析

对大田条件下玉米品种'掖单13'(Zea mays 'Yedan 13')和'丹玉13'(Z. mays 'Danyu 13')初生根(包括初生胚根和次生胚根)和不同层次次生根的直径及其中的N、P、K、Ca和Mg含量进行了比较分析.分析结果表明,'掖单13'和'丹玉13'初生根直径总体上小于次生根;从第1层至第7层次生根,基本上为发生时间越晚,根直径越大;而2个品种第7层至第9层次生根基部直径的变化趋势有一定的差异.'掖单13'和'丹玉13'初生根和不同层次次生根中N、P、K、Ca和Mg含量差异显著(P<0.05);'掖单13'初生根中的N、P、K、Ca和Mg含量分别为27.36、 3.75、 14.34、 10.19和5.94 g·kg~(-1), 不同层次次生根中的N、 P、 K、 Ca和Mg含量分别为4.31～8.99、 0.91～1.29、4.07～15.27、2.35～5.42和1.52～4.06 g·kg~(-1);'丹玉13' 初生根中的N、P、K、Ca和Mg含量分别为28.65、4.65、14.54、10.33和6.04 g·kg~(-1),不同层次次生根中的N、P、K、Ca和Mg含量分别为7.41～12.70、0.84～1.27、1.81～24.69、2.46～3.73和1.12～2.73 g·kg~(-1);2个品种初生根中N、P、Ca和Mg含量均最高,K含量也显著高于第1层至第7层次生根;总体上看,不同层次次生根中的N、Ca和Mg含量随发生时间的先后呈逐渐降低的趋势,P和K含量随发生时间的先后呈逐渐增加的趋势,但2个品种间有一定的差异.研究结果显示,次生根根直径的增大与其对地上部分的固持能力有关.     

Development and validation of a model to describe root length density of maize from root counts on soil profiles

Root length density (RLD) is an important determinant of crop water and nutrient acquisition, but is difficult to measure in the field. On a soil profile, in-situ counts of root impacts per unit surface on soil profiles (NI) can be used to calculate RLD if crop-specific parameters for preferential root orientation (anisotropy) are known. An improved method for field determinations of RLD was developed and validated for maize at sites in Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso. Root anisotropy was measured with cubes of undisturbed soil with 0.1 m sidelength, based on NI observed on three planes oriented perpendicularly to each other. RLD was also measured for the enclosed volume. Repetition of such measurements enabled estimation of the robustness across sites of empirical and geometric models for the relationship between RLD and NI:RLD = NI CO, with CO being the coefficient of root orientation, theoretically equals 2 for an isotropic distribution. Root systems were found to be nearly isotropic, except near the root front (0.3 to 0.5 m), where roots had a preferentially orthotropic orientation. Measured RLD was generally about 50% larger than RLD calculated from observed NI and CO, indicating that at least one of the measurement techniques had a systematic error. The ratio between measured and calculated RLD (CE), which ranged from 0.8 to 2, increased with the age of the plants and decreased with soil depth. CE was therefore introduced as an additional coefficient, resulting in RLD = NI CO CE. The empirical value for CO CE was between 2 and 5. The empirical coefficients CO and CE were the same for the sites in Cote d'Ivoire (oxisol with an iron pan at 0.6 to 0.9 m) and Burkina Faso (alfisol with an iron pan at 0.4 to 0.8 m). The model was validated with independent data sets at both sites, and gave satisfactory predictions of RLD on the basis of NI obtained from single soil planes, which can be easily measured in the field.     

不同分类系统下油松幼苗根系特征的差异与联系

植物根序和径级不仅反映细根的形态结构, 而且能反映根系的一些生理特征, 如细根寿命和周转等。该文以二年生油松(Pinus tabulaeformis)幼苗根系为研究对象, 系统比较了根序分类方法和径级分类方法在描述根系特征上的优缺点, 探索了两者之间的内在联系。结果表明: 二年生油松幼苗最多可包括6级根序, 直径的变化范围为0.169-3.877 mm。按根序划分, I-VI级根序的总根长和总根表面积主要集中在前3级根序, 这3级根序的根占总根长的78.77%和总根表面积的62.72%。前3级根序的比根长是后3级根序比根长的1.3-3.0倍, 比根面积是后3级比根面积的1.0-1.5倍。按常用的径级(以0.5、1.0、1.5和2.0 mm为阈值)划分方法, 油松幼苗大部分根系直径≤1.5 mm, 此区间细根的根长和根表面积占总根长的93.76%和总根表面积的84.35%。直径≤1.5 mm的细根平均比根长是>1.5 mm细根比根长的3-7倍, 比根面积的1.5-3.0倍。由于油松根序和径级之间有显著的指数关系, 依据径级最大程度反映根序的原则, 提出了新的径级划分方法, 即以0.4、0.8、1.3和2.0 mm为阈值对油松幼苗根系径级重新进行划分。此时, 上述区间可分别包括I级、II级、III级、IV级、V级根序中根尖数的93.22%、86.37%、75.96%、70.47%和76.67%。同时也可分别涵盖各径级根长的89.34%-70.83%、根面积的86.01%-76.12%以及体积的87.73%-76.12%。此时, 根系不同径级与根序之间可以建立起良好的对应关系。这些结果表明, 通过合理划分径级区间可以较好地反映根序 特征。     

Asymmetric cytokinin signaling opposes gravitropism in roots

Plants depend on gravity to provide the constant landmark for downward root growth and upward shoot growth. The phytohormone auxin and its cell‐to‐cell transport machinery are central determinants ensuring gravitropic growth. Statolith sedimentation toward gravity is sensed in specialized cells. This positional cue is translated into the polar distribution of PIN auxin efflux carriers at the plasma membrane, leading to asymmetric auxin distribution and consequently, differential growth and organ bending. While we have started to understand the general principles of how primary organs execute gravitropism, we currently lack basic understanding of how lateral plant organs can defy gravitropic responses. Here we briefly review the establishment of the oblique gravitropic set point angle in lateral roots and particularly discuss the emerging role of asymmetric cytokinin signaling as a central anti‐gravitropic signal. Differential cytokinin signaling is co‐opted in gravitropic lateral and hydrotropic primary roots to counterbalance gravitropic root growth.     

Vegetative anatomy of subtribe Orchidinae (Orchidaceae)

Leaves in Orchidinae are essentially glabrous; anticlinal walls of foliar epidermal cells arc basically straight-sided to curvilinear, and cells arc fundamentally polygonal on both surfaces; adaxial cells are larger than abaxial cells. Stomata arc anomocytic and usually only abaxial and superficial; substomatal chambers are small to moderate; outer and inner guard cell ledges are mostly small. There is no hypodermis nor are there fibre bundles. Mesophyll is homogeneous, chlorcnchyma cells arc thin-walled, and intercellular spaces numerous. Crystalliferous idioblasts abound. Vascular bundles are collateral, organized in a single series. and lack associated sclerenchyma. Bundle sheath cells are thin-walled and chlorophyllous. Stems are glabrous; stomata arc frequent in one species, lacking in others. Cortical cells are oval to circular, thick-walled, and interspersed with triangular intercellular spaces. Ground-tissue cells are circular, and triangular intercellular spaces are present. Vascular bundles arc collateral and scattered throughout the ground-tissue or are absent from the central ground-tissue. Epidermis in absorbing roots is one-layered and non-velamcntous. Exodcrmal cells are thin-walled and dead cell walls bear tenuous scalariform bars; some species lack an exodermis. Outer cortical cells are polygonal and lack intercellular spaces; middle layer cortical cells are rounded with triangular intercellular spaces; inner layer cells are polygonal and lack intercellular spaces. Endodermis and pericycle are thin-walled and one-layered. Vascular cylinder is mostly 7–9-arch with xylcm and phloem components alternating regularly; vascular tissue is embedded in parenchyma; pith cells are parenchymatous, polygonal, thin-walled and lack intercellular spaces. Root tubers generally bear a velamen of variable thickness; bulbous-based unicellular hairs frequently form a dense mat; exodermal cells are thin-walled; dead cells have scalariform bars, passage cells are sparse. Ground-tissue consists of rounded water-storage and assimilatory cells interspersed with triangular or quadrangular intercellular spaces; peripheral cells arc polygonal lacking intercellular spaces. Vascular tissue consists of monarch to pentarch meristeles distributed thoughout the ground-tissue each surrounded by a uniscriale endodermis of thin-walled cells. Thin roots ofPlalanthera exhibit a typical central cylinder surrounded by a homogeneous cortex uninterrupted by meristeles; thicker roots show a central vascular cylinder and cortex in which meristeles are also present; in globoid root tubers there is no central cylinder, and the ground-tissue is replete with scattered meristeles. Because the central vascular cylinder in Platanthera gives rise to branches (meristeles), these represent components of a single vascular system and are not separate stelar entities as implied by the use of the term ‘polystele’.     

落叶松和水曲柳不同根序细根形态结构、组织氮浓度与根呼吸的关系

根系具有高度的形态和生理功能异质性,在森林生态系统碳和养分循环中起重要作用。根系分枝的顺序构成根序,是根系最基本的构型特征,根序代表根系不同的发育阶段。然而,目前直接测定不同根序细根生理功能的研究很少。以落叶松（Larix gmelinii）和水曲柳（Fraxinus mandshurica）的细根为研究对象,使用气相氧电极测定不同根序细根的呼吸速率,探讨根系呼吸速率与其形态、结构和组织氮浓度的关系。结果表明：落叶松和水曲柳细根的直径、根长和维管束直径均随着根序的增加（1–5级）而增加,而比根长、组织氮浓度和呼吸速率随着根序的增加而降低,各根序之间差异显著（P〈0.05）;1级根比根长最大、皮层组织发达、组织氮浓度最高且呼吸速率也最高,其呼吸速率分别为17.57nmolO2·g^–1·s^–1（落叶松）和18.80 nmolO2·g^–1·s^–1（水曲柳）,比5级根分别高148%（落叶松）和124%（水曲柳）;并且,落叶松根的呼吸速率几乎有96%与根系组织氮浓度相关,而水曲柳根的呼吸速率则有89%与根系组织氮浓度相关。上述结果说明,细根的形态和生理功能异质性是紧密相连的,低级根的形态、结构决定其功能是吸收养分和水,而高级根的形态、结构决定其功能是运输和贮存养分。     

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。     

Plant functional traits and soil microbial biomass in different vegetation zones on the Loess Plateau

Plant functional traits built the relationships between plant diversity, species composition, and physiology along with the environmental changes, thus influencing soil microbial community. As the sensitivity indicators, soil microbial biomass and plant functional traits responses soil micro-organism and plant characteristics in direct way. Ten plant functional traits of 149 species and soil microbial biomass (carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus) were analyzed across the different vegetation types (forest, forest-steppe, and steppe) that are divided by environmental gradient (temperature and precipitation), aimed to find the correlations among them. Our results confirmed the greatest values of plant functional traits (except the leaf density and the fine root density) that were distributed in the steppe zone, mainly due to the different mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation conditions. For different plant growth forms, the plant functional traits were significant differences among the vegetation zones. The advantages of higher rate nutrient cycling, plentiful biomass supplements, and favorite habit conditions lead to the forest-steppe zone with the highest C_mic and N_mic concentrations. The canonical correlation analysis indicated that leaf nitrogen, root nitrogen, and fine root densities were correlated with root exudate and tissue which affected the concentrations of soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (N), consequently impacting soil microbial biomass carbon (C_mic) and soil microbial biomass nitrogen (N_mic). Soil is the medium that connects micro-organism and plant root system that influenced leaf nitrogen, root nitrogen, and fine root density of plant functional traits, the concentrations of SOC and total N that plant feedback are consequently influencing C_mic and N_mic.