Fine root traits in Chamaecyparis obtusa forest soils with different acid buffering capacities

Abstract

Key message The biomass, morphology, and respiration of the fine roots of Chamaecyparis obtusa did not change between different soil acid buffering capacities. Soil nitrate has noticeable effects on morphology and respiration. Abstract Low soil acid buffering capacity (ABC) accelerates soil acidification because of the lower concentrations of base cations (BC) and higher concentrations of aluminum (Al) present under such conditions. More information on fine root traits across soil ABC gradients is required to evaluate the effects of accelerated soil acidification in mature forests, especially in East Asia. We investigated the biomass, morphology (specific root length; SRL), and respiration rates of fine roots and analyzed the soil nitrogen status in seven Chamaecyparis obtusa stands with two highly contrasting ABC soils. There were no significant differences in the biomass, SRL, and respiration rates of fine roots between high-and low-ABC stands. However, fine roots in the low-ABC stands were concentrated in the uppermost soil layers and the biomass proportion of roots \0.5 mm in diameter was higher in low-ABC stands than in high-ABC stands. The fine root biomass increased with increasing soil Al, NH 4 ? -N, and C and with decreasing soil BC and bulk density. The SRL and respiration rates of fine roots were positively correlated with soil NO 3 --N. We conclude that the fine root traits were affected not only by soil ABC but also by other soil properties in the forest.

Functional Trait Plasticity but Not Coordination Differs in Absorptive and Transport Fine Roots in Response to Soil Depth

“…Endl. [23] were lower at deep soil layers in comparison to shallow layers, but not for the fine roots (diameter of 0.5-1 mm and 1-2 mm). Similarly, at the community level, fine roots (diameter < 2 mm) rather than coarse roots (diameter 2-5 mm) had lower lignin concentrations at deep soil layers than at shallow layers [8].…”

Growth Performance Assessment of &lt;i&gt;Chamaecyparis obtusa&lt;/i&gt; Stand in Gyeongnam Province, S. Korea

“…On the other hand, soil pH was among the main important soil properties influencing growth of the species. Other studies also revealed that the growth of C. obtusa was regulated by soil pH, indicating that soil pH has a noticeable effect on the growth performance of the species [27][28][29][30].…”

Effects of Liming on the Morphologies and Nutrients of Different Functional Fine Roots of Cunninghamia lanceolata Seedlings

“…Liming can increase soil pH value and alleviate soil acidity, thus increasing theoretically the SRL of plants [13]. However, no effect of liming or pH on SRL has also been reported [18,19]. This uncertainty of the effect of liming on SRL may be ascribed to the unsuitable definition of fine roots, which include whole roots with sizes that are less than an arbitrary diameter (e.g., 2 mm).…”