Fine root biomass and turnover of two fast-growing poplar genotypes in a short-rotation coppice culture

Background and aims

The quantification of root dynamics remains a major challenge in ecological research because root sampling is laborious and prone to error due to unavoidable disturbance of the delicate soil-root interface. The objective of the present study was to quantify the distribution of the biomass and turnover of roots of poplars (Populus) and associated understory vegetation during the second growing season of a high-density short rotation coppice culture.

Methods

Roots were manually picked from soil samples collected with a soil core from narrow (75 cm apart) and wide rows (150 cm apart) of the double-row planting system from two genetically contrasting poplar genotypes. Several methods of estimating root production and turnover were compared.

Results

Poplar fine root biomass was higher in the narrow rows than in the wide rows. In spite of genetic differences in above-ground biomass, annual fine root productivity was similar for both genotypes (ca. 44 g DM m^?2 year^?1). Weed root biomass was equally distributed over the ground surface, and root productivity was more than two times higher compared to poplar fine roots (ca. 109 g DM m^?2 year^?1).

Conclusions

Early in SRC plantation development, weeds result in significant root competition to the crop tree poplars, but may confer certain ecosystem services such as carbon input to soil and retention of available soil N until the trees fully occupy the site.