SEASONAL VARIATIONS IN THE PROPORTIONS OF SUBERIZED AND UNSUBERIZED ROOTS OF TREES IN RELATION TO THE ABSORPTION OF WATER |
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Authors: | Paul J Kramer Henry C Bullock |
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Institution: | Department of Botany, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
Forest Service, Ocala, Florida |
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Abstract: | Growing root tips usually constituted less than 1 per cent and mycorrhizal roots less than 6 per cent of the total root surface under a 34-year-old pine stand. Growing root tips usually constituted less than 1 per cent of the total root surface under a yellow poplar stand, although one sample taken in May contained 9 per cent of unsuberized roots. The water permeability of various types of roots was measured under a pressure gradient of 31 cm of mercury. It differed widely among individual roots, ranging from an average of 6.6. mm3/cm2/hr for suberized pine roots 1.33 mm in diameter, to 36.6 mm3 for suberized pine roots 3 mm in diameter, and 178 mm3/ cm2/hr for unsuberized roots grown in water culture. Water intake through a group of unsuberized roots grown in soil averaged 37.4 mm3/cm2/hr. The permeability of yellow poplar roots varied even more, ranging from essentially zero to 30,000 mm3/cm2/hr. It is concluded that the major part of water absorption in pine occurs through suberized roots, some through mycorrhizal roots, and relatively little through growing root tips. Likewise, in yellow-poplar most of the water probably enters through suberized roots. Further study is needed of the role of suberized roots in water and salt absorption. |
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