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Seasonal dynamics of quantitative and morphological traits of poplar fine roots and their differences between successive rotation plantations.

WANG Yan-ping1,2, XU Tan3, ZHU Wan-rui1, WANG Qi-tong1, LIU Meng-ling1, WANG Hua-tian1,2*, LI Chuan-rong2, DONG Yu-feng4   

  1. (1School of Forestry, Shandong Agricultural University,Tai’an 271018, Shandong, China; 2Taishan Forest Ecosystem Research Station,  State Forestry Administration, Tai’an 271018, Shandong, China; 3College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; 4Shandong Academy of Forestry, Jinan 250014, China).
  • Online:2016-02-18 Published:2016-02-18

Abstract: Based on the fine root samples of the first and second generations of poplar (Populus ×euramericana ‘Neva’), this study examined the response of quantitative and morphological traits of fine roots of different orders and the difference between generations. The results showed that, the quantitative traits of fine roots, such as root length, root surface area and root biomass, presented obvious seasonal variation, and the fine root traits had obvious difference among root orders. The quantitative traits of lowerorder fine roots showed significant seasonal difference, and the fine root biomass increased in the growing season and then decreased significantly. The specific root length (SRL) of higherorder roots also showed significant change with season, while the root length density (RLD) and root tissue density (RTD) changed a little. The successive rotation resulted in the significant increase of root length, root biomass, SRL and RLD of 1-2 orders in the growing season. The quantitative traits of first order root significantly positively correlated with soil temperature and moisture, and significantly negatively correlated with the soil organic matter and soil available nitrogen content. However, the quantitative traits of second order root only showed significant correlation with soil nutrient content. The seasonal dynamics of poplar fine roots and the difference between successive rotation plantations implied carbon investment change of poplar to roots. Soil nutrient deficiency induced more carbon investment into roots, and this carbon allocation pattern might affect the aboveground productivity of poplar plantation.