Contrasting rooting patterns of some arid-zone fruit tree species from Botswana – I. Fine root distribution

Oppelt, Armin L.; Kurth, Winfried; Jentschke, Georg; Godbold, Douglas L.

doi:10.1007/s10457-005-2402-8

Cited by 19 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 19 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…(2) assessing the number of root channels, cluster number, cluster surface and cluster depth for the 100 cm 9 120 cm grids; and (3) calculating exploitation and exploration indices (after Oppelt et al 2005) for the 100 cm 9 120 cm grids. Root channels were distinguishable as vertical passages in softer albic sediments stretching into the cemented subsoil layers and featured concentrations of roots detectable either as a series of intersects along such a gallery or as root bundles where a channel was cut on the vertical plane.…”

Section: Sample and Data Handlingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Likewise, the exploration E (1) index was defined as the number of cells having at least one root intersect in it. We calculated the latter indices by using number of fine root intersects per 100 cm 2 instead of fine root length density (Hughes et al 1995) or root surface area density (Oppelt et al 2005). These parameters are expected to yield better results than root intersects when comparisons between different species are to be made, as species-specific root lengths or areas can lead to different interpretations between surface areas and root numbers with regard to overall strategies for exploration and exploitation of resources.…”

Section: Sample and Data Handlingmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Root distribution of Fagus sylvatica in a chronosequence in western France

Bakker

Turpault²,

Huet³

et al. 2008

Journal of Forest Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The distribution of fine (\2 mm diameter) and small roots (2-20 mm diameter) was investigated in a chronosequence consisting of 9-year-old, 26-year-old, 82-year-old and 146-year-old European beech (Fagus sylvatica) stands. A combination of trench wall observations and destructive root sampling was used to establish whether root distribution and total biomass of fine and small roots varied with stand age. Root density decreased with soil depth in all stands, and variability appeared to be highest in subsoil horizons, especially where compacted soil layers occurred. Roots clustered in patches in the top 0-50 cm of the soil or were present as root channels at greater depths. Cluster number, cluster size and number of root channels were comparable in all stands, and high values of soil exploitation occurred throughout the entire chronosequence. Overall fine root biomass at depths of 0-120 cm ranged from 7.4 Mg ha -1 to 9.8 Mg ha -1 , being highest in the two youngest stands. Small root biomass ranged from 3.6 Mg ha -1 to 13.3 Mg ha -1 . Use of trench wall observations combined with destructive root samples reduced the variability of these estimates. These records showed that variability in fine root distribution depended more on soil depth and edaphic conditions than on stand age, and suggest that trench wall studies provide a useful tool to improve estimates of fine root biomass.

show abstract

Section: Sample and Data Handlingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Sample and Data Handlingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Root distribution of Fagus sylvatica in a chronosequence in western France

Bakker

Turpault²,

Huet³

et al. 2008

Journal of Forest Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The individual soil volume (ISV) is the root system's overall envelope, given by its maximum radius (horizontal extension) and its maximum depth (vertical extension) [29], [30], [31], and thus quantifies root spread of an individual on a slope.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Framework for Identifying Plant Species to Be Used as ‘Ecological Engineers’ for Fixing Soil on Unstable Slopes

Ghestem

Cao

et al. 2014

PLoS ONE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Major reforestation programs have been initiated on hillsides prone to erosion and landslides in China, but no framework exists to guide managers in the choice of plant species. We developed such a framework based on the suitability of given plant traits for fixing soil on steep slopes in western Yunnan, China. We examined the utility of 55 native and exotic species with regard to the services they provided. We then chose nine species differing in life form. Plant root system architecture, root mechanical and physiological traits were then measured at two adjacent field sites. One site was highly unstable, with severe soil slippage and erosion. The second site had been replanted 8 years previously and appeared to be physically stable. How root traits differed between sites, season, depth in soil and distance from the plant stem were determined. Root system morphology was analysed by considering architectural traits (root angle, depth, diameter and volume) both up- and downslope. Significant differences between all factors were found, depending on species. We estimated the most useful architectural and mechanical traits for physically fixing soil in place. We then combined these results with those concerning root physiological traits, which were used as a proxy for root metabolic activity. Scores were assigned to each species based on traits. No one species possessed a suite of highly desirable traits, therefore mixtures of species should be used on vulnerable slopes. We also propose a conceptual model describing how to position plants on an unstable site, based on root system traits.

show abstract

“…whether more dense layers occur in the deeper horizons or not-was shown to modify rooting pattern in that roots were most concentrated above the strong soil layers or in relic root channels through them (Laclau et al 2001;Nambiar and Sands 1992;van Noordwijk et al 1991;Sudmeyer et al 2004). Root system models may be valuable tools of addressing this issue of nutrient acquisition by describing root system size, morphology and associated soil exploration or exploitation strategies (Berntson 1994;Oppelt et al 2005). More elaborated nutrient uptake models using external supply / internal demand regulations (Dunbabin et al 2002) already have been validated for Maize in the same region and on the same soil (Mollier et al 2001) and would be powerful tools to link total tree demand via the uptake system with soil available mineral nutrients.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fine root distribution of trees and understory in mature stands of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) on dry and humid sites

2006

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) is the main tree cropping species in the Landes of Gascogne forest range in south western France. Soils are nutrient poor, sandy podzosols and site fertility is determined essentially by organic matter content and depth of water table, which is known to limit root growth. We hypothesised, with an ultimate goal of constructing a nutrient uptake model applicable to this region, that the organic top horizons together with the depth of the water table should be the most important parameters related to fine root distribution and presence of associated mycorrhiza. To test this hypothesis, we compared two adult Pinus pinaster stands, contrasting in depth of water table and soil fertility and evaluated fine roots (diameter £2 mm) of understory species and fine roots and ectomycorrhizal morphotypes of Pinus pinaster down to 1.2 m, using a soil corer approach. Total fine root biomass of Pinus pinaster was not significantly different between both sites (3.6 and 4.5 t ha -1 for the humid, respectively, dry site), but root distribution was significantly shallower and root diameter increased more with depth at the humid site, presumably due to more adverse soil conditions as related to the presence of a hardpan, higher amount of aluminium oxides and / or anoxia. Fine roots of Pinus pinaster represented only about 30% of total fine root biomass and 15% of total fine root length, suggesting that the understory species cannot be ignored with regards to competition for mineral nutrients and water. A comparison of the ectomycorrhizal morphotypes showed that the humid site could be characterised by a very large proportion of contact exploration types, thought to be more relevant in accessing organic nutrient sources, whereas the dry site had a significantly higher proportion of both long-distance and short-distance exploration types, the latter of which was thought to be more resistant to short-term drought periods. These results partly confirm our hypothesis on root distribution as related to the presence of soil mineral nutrients (i.e. in organic matter), point out the potential role of understory plant species and ectomycorrhizal symbiosis and are a valuable step in building a site-specific nutrient uptake model.

show abstract

Contrasting rooting patterns of some arid-zone fruit tree species from Botswana – I. Fine root distribution

Cited by 19 publications

References 19 publications

Root distribution of Fagus sylvatica in a chronosequence in western France

Root distribution of Fagus sylvatica in a chronosequence in western France

A Framework for Identifying Plant Species to Be Used as ‘Ecological Engineers’ for Fixing Soil on Unstable Slopes

Fine root distribution of trees and understory in mature stands of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) on dry and humid sites

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About