Sieve size effects on root length and biomass measurements of maize (Zea mays) and Grevillea robusta |
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Authors: | Livesley SJ Stacey CL Gregory PJ Buresh RJ |
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Institution: | (1) Soil Science Department, The University of Reading, Whiteknights, P.O. Box 233, Reading, RG6 6DW, UK;(2) ICRAF, United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, P.O. Box 30667, Nairobi, Kenya |
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Abstract: | The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different mesh sizes on the recovery of root length and biomass
and to determine whether the degree of recovery was influenced by plant species and sample location. Sieves of 2.0, 1.0, 0.5
and 0.25 mm (4.0, 1.0, 0.25 and 0.06 mm2) mesh sizes were used to recover and measure the root length and biomass of Zea mays
L. (maize) at 0–15 cm and 30–45 cm depths and of Grevillea robusta A. Cunn. ex R. Br. (grevillea) at the same depths 1.0 m
and 4.5 m from a line of grevillea trees. At 0–15 cm, the coarser sieves (sum collected with 2.0 and 1.0 mm sieves) recovered
approximately 80% of the total root biomass measured, but only 60% of the root length. The proportion of total maize root
length and biomass recovered by the coarser sieves decreased with soil depth. The proportion of total grevillea root length
recovered by the coarser sieves was similar at the two soil depths, but increased slightly with distance from the tree line.
The ≥ 0.5 mm sieves recovered between 93 and 96% of grevillea and maize root biomass and between 73 and 98% of their root
length, depending on the sample location. Roots passing through the 0.5 mm sieve, but recovered by the 0.25 mm sieve were
about 20% of total maize root length and grevillea root length at 1.0 m from the tree line but < 5% of the total grevillea
root length at 4.5 m from the tree. Roots passing through the 0.5 mm sieve but recovered by the 0.25 mm sieve contributed
only slightly to root biomass. Although the ≥ 0.5 mm sieves provided adequate measurements of root biomass, the ≥ 0.25 mm
sieves were required for accurate measurement of fine root length. There was no universal correction for root length and biomass
underestimation when large sieve sizes were used because the proportions of length and biomass recovered depended on the plant
species and on soil depth and distance from the plant.
This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
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Keywords: | Grevillea robusta maize root length root biomass root sampling sieves |
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