Variation of morphological and anatomical traits of fine roots of three plant species in Xiao-xing’an Mountains, China

doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.201912.007

Abstract

Abstract: We measured the morphological and anatomical traits of fine roots with 1-5 order in needleleaf species of Pinus koraiensis, broadleaf species of Acer mono, and shrub of Corylus mandshurica, with the aim to understand trait variations among root orders and species. The results showed that there was no significant difference in root diameter and root length among the three species, but was significant inter-specific differences in other traits. The stele diameter (117.91-2392.05 μm) and stele to diameter ratio (0.31-1.87) of P. koraiensis were significantly greater than that of A. mono and C. mandshurica, whereas tissue density of A. mono was significantly higher than that of P. koraiensis and C. mandshurica. Root diameter, root length, tissue density, stele diameter and stele to diameter ratio all increased with root order, but specific root length decreased for the three species. For all the species, there was a significant correlation between morphological and anatomical traits, such as root diameter and stele diameter, but the regression slope was significantly different between the absorption root (1-3 order) and the transport root (4-5 order). Root diameter was significantly positively correlated with stele diameter and cortical thickness of the three species, with the regression slope being significantly different among species.

GAO Cai-long, JIN Guang-ze, LIU Zhi-li. Variation of morphological and anatomical traits of fine roots of three plant species in Xiao-xing’an Mountains, China[J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2019, 30(12): 4041-4048.

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