Root diameter variations explained by anatomy and phylogeny of 50 tropical and temperate tree species

Gu, Jiacun; Xu, Yang; Dong, Xueyun; Wang, Hongfeng; Wang, Zhengquan

doi:10.1093/treephys/tpu019

Cited by 103 publications

(116 citation statements)

References 62 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…However, information on radial variation in root xylem anatomical and hydraulic properties is yet very limited. Several studies separating root branching orders showed that conduit diameter tends to increase toward higher root orders, in agreement with our findings (Valenzuela-Estrada et al, 2008; Huang et al, 2010; Long et al, 2013; Gu et al, 2014), while others, however, failed to detect a radial conduit widening from the pith to the bark in roots (Dunham et al, 2007; Peterson et al, 2007; Lintunen and Kalliokoski, 2010). This may suggest that the radial pattern of xylem anatomy in woody roots is often overlain by adaptive responses to locally varying mechanical requirements (Christensen-Dalsgaard et al, 2008).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Influence of Root Diameter and Soil Depth on the Xylem Anatomy of Fine- to Medium-Sized Roots of Mature Beech Trees in the Top- and Subsoil

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Despite their importance for water uptake and transport, the xylem anatomical and hydraulic properties of tree roots have only rarely been studied in the field. We measured mean vessel diameter (D), vessel density (VD), relative vessel lumen area (lumen area per xylem area) and derived potential hydraulic conductivity (Kp) in the xylem of 197 fine- to medium-diameter roots (1–10 mm) in the topsoil and subsoil (0–200 cm) of a mature European beech forest on sandy soil for examining the influence of root diameter and soil depth on xylem anatomical and derived hydraulic traits. All anatomical and functional traits showed strong dependence on root diameter and thus root age but no significant relation to soil depth. Averaged over topsoil and deep soil and variable flow path lengths in the roots, D increased linearly with root diameter from ∼50 μm in the smallest diameter class (1–2 mm) to ∼70 μm in 6–7 mm roots (corresponding to a mean root age of ∼12 years), but remained invariant in roots >7 mm. D never exceeded ∼82 μm in the 1–10 mm roots, probably in order to control the risk of frost- or drought-induced cavitation. This pattern was overlain by a high variability in xylem anatomy among similar-sized roots with Kp showing a higher variance component within than between root diameter classes. With 8% of the roots exceeding average Kp in their diameter class by 50–700%, we obtained evidence of the existence of ‘high-conductivity roots’ indicating functional differentiation among similar-sized roots. We conclude that the hydraulic properties of small to medium diameter roots of beech are mainly determined by root age, rendering root diameter a suitable predictor of hydraulic functioning, while soil depth – without referring to path length – had a negligible effect.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Influence of Root Diameter and Soil Depth on the Xylem Anatomy of Fine- to Medium-Sized Roots of Mature Beech Trees in the Top- and Subsoil

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This is of special importance, because our present study indicated that the higher storage temperatures (except for −3°C) had rather a negative impact on cortical tissue proportion, a parameter which is most sensitive to environmental changes (Gu et al 2014). Moreover, N concentration was positively correlated with the percentage of roots with primary development and cortical tissue.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 55%

Effect of seed storage temperature on fine root development and mycorrhizal colonization of young Populus nigra seedlings

Mucha

Szymańska

Zadworny

et al. 2015

Annals of Forest Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Key message Seed storage temperature influences root anatomy of the endangered Populus nigra, and consequently may alter nutrient absorption. A lower temperature during seed storage (−20 and −196 °C) may preserve the potential for a suitable root system development after germination. Context Seed storage conditions can be an important determinant of later seedling growth of Populus nigra L., an endangered tree species. Aims We tested whether long-term seed storage temperature, −10, −20 or −196 °C, affects the pattern of seedling root traits responsible for resource acquisition as compared to seedlings of fresh seeds. Methods We analysed the morphology, anatomy, degree of mycorrhizal colonization, and biochemical composition of roots developed from seed stored for 24 months at five different temperatures (from 3 to −196 °C) commonly used to preserve genetic resources. Results Except for root anatomy, we found no relationship between seed storage temperature and the root traits of seedlings. Among the various storage conditions, the proportion of roots with primary development in the first four orders was similar in seedlings developed from fresh seeds of from seeds stored at −196 or −20 °C. Nitrogen content in the roots was positively correlated with the proportion of (i) roots with primary development and (ii) the cortex width in the root diameter. Conclusions Higher temperatures during seed storage reduced the proportion of roots with absorptive function (with primary development). Therefore, for preservation of P. nigra seeds we recommend lower temperatures such as −20 and −196 °C.

show abstract

“…; Gu et al . ). Our study further demonstrates that contrasting climatic and soil variables relate to changes in distinct fine‐root traits.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Gu et al . () observed for instance among 50 tropical and temperate tree species that tropical trees have on average thicker fine‐roots with lower tissue density and higher SRL than temperate trees. Chen et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate, soil and plant functional types as drivers of global fine‐root trait variation

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

International audience* Ecosystem functioning relies heavily on below-ground processes, which are largely regulated by plant fine-roots and their functional traits. However, our knowledge of fine-root trait distribution relies to date on local- and regional-scale studies with limited numbers of species, growth forms and environmental variation. * We compiled a world-wide fine-root trait dataset, featuring 1115 species from contrasting climatic areas, phylogeny and growth forms to test a series of hypotheses pertaining to the influence of plant functional types, soil and climate variables, and the degree of manipulation of plant growing conditions on species fine-root trait variation. Most particularly, we tested the competing hypotheses that fine-root traits typical of faster return on investment would be most strongly associated with conditions of limiting versus favourable soil resource availability. We accounted for both data source and species phylogenetic relatedness. * We demonstrate that: (i) Climate conditions promoting soil fertility relate negatively to fine-root traits favouring fast soil resource acquisition, with a particularly strong positive effect of temperature on fine-root diameter and negative effect on specific root length (SRL), and a negative effect of rainfall on root nitrogen concentration; (ii) Soil bulk density strongly influences species fine-root morphology, by favouring thicker, denser fine-roots; (iii) Fine-roots from herbaceous species are on average finer and have higher SRL than those of woody species, and N2-fixing capacity positively relates to root nitrogen; and (iv) Plants growing in pots have higher SRL than those grown in the field. * Synthesis. This study reveals both the large variation in fine-root traits encountered globally and the relevance of several key plant functional types and soil and climate variables for explaining a substantial part of this variation. Climate, particularly temperature, and plant functional types were the two strongest predictors of fine-root trait variation. High trait variation occurred at local scales, suggesting that wide-ranging below-ground resource economics strategies are viable within most climatic areas and soil conditions

show abstract

Root diameter variations explained by anatomy and phylogeny of 50 tropical and temperate tree species

Cited by 103 publications

References 62 publications

Influence of Root Diameter and Soil Depth on the Xylem Anatomy of Fine- to Medium-Sized Roots of Mature Beech Trees in the Top- and Subsoil

Influence of Root Diameter and Soil Depth on the Xylem Anatomy of Fine- to Medium-Sized Roots of Mature Beech Trees in the Top- and Subsoil

Effect of seed storage temperature on fine root development and mycorrhizal colonization of young Populus nigra seedlings

Climate, soil and plant functional types as drivers of global fine‐root trait variation

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About