Root responses of Quercus ilex L. seedlings to drought and fire |
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Authors: | D. Chiatante A. Di Iorio G. S. Scippa |
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Affiliation: | 1. Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche ed Ambientali , Università dell'Insubria , Como, Italy;2. Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche ed Ambientali , Università dell'Insubria , Via Valleggio 11, I-22100, Como, Italy E-mail: donato.chiatante@uninsubria.it;3. Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie per l'Ambiente ed il Territorio , Università degli Studi del Molise , Isernia, Italy |
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Abstract: | Abstract Drought treatments in holm-oak (Quercus ilex) seedlings induce variations in total root length, number of root apices, shoot/root dry weight, and root electrolyte leakage. When drought treatments last for more than 50 days a considerable number of fine lateral roots die, irrespective of branching order or distribution within the root system. Scorching of drought-treated seedlings induces a transient stimulation of root growth. These results indicate that root turnover is deeply affected during treatments, with survival of seedlings being entrusted to the tolerance of a number of roots situated in the deeper region of the root system. Activity of the meristematic tissue present within the apices of these surviving roots supports regeneration of above-ground lost organs during recovery. Knowledge of the mechanisms ensuring the survival of Mediterranean tree seedlings following drought and fire is useful for developing models of vegetation dynamics. |
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Keywords: | Drought fire Quercus ilex root system seedlings |
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