Welcome to Chinese Journal of Ecology! Today is Share:

cje

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Spatial distribution patterns of root length density of Avena sativa and Vicia villosa in their mixed-sowing grassland in alpine region.

SHENG Ya-ping, ZHAO Cheng-zhang**, ZHANG Jing, REN Heng, LI Li-li   

  1. (Research Center of Wetland Resources Protection and Industrial Development Engineering of Gansu Province, College of Geography and Environment Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China)
  • Online:2013-02-10 Published:2013-02-10

Abstract: Plant can adjust its root length density and distribution pattern to optimize its resources utilization pattern. In this study, the mixedsowing grassland of gramineous grass Avena sativa and leguminous grass Vicia villosa with the density ratio of 0∶10 (CK1), 8∶2 (Ⅰ), 6∶4 (Ⅱ), 5∶5 (Ⅲ), 4∶6 (Ⅳ), 2∶8 (Ⅴ), and 10∶0 (CK2) was established in the upper reaches of Shiyang River in Sunan County of Gansu Province, Northwest China in 2010, aimed to study the spatial distribution patterns of root length density of the two mixedsowing grasses. The root length density (RLD) of the two grasses was greater in mixed culture than in monoculture. With the decrease of A. sativa density in mixedsowing grassland, the RLD of the grass had a gradual increase, showing a phenomenon of high A. sativa density and low A. sativa RLD. Spatially, the RLD of A. sativa and V. villosa had obvious difference. A. sativa roots were mainly distributed in 0-25 cm soil layer, while V. villosa roots were concentrated in 0-15 cm soil layer. The hierarchical distribution of the roots changed their competition pattern, and the difference in the vertical distribution gradually changed the root structure and morphology. In the treatments except CK1 and CK2, the taproot growth was restrained, while the lateral root growth was promoted. The spatial hierarchical distribution of the lateral roots in the mixed-sowing grassland changed the resource utilization pattern, and gradually optimized the root length density configuration pattern, which achieved the goal of maximizing the resources utilization from soil.