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Architectural analysis of crown geometry of Populus euphratica in original and artificial habitats.

YU Xiu-li1,2, LV Xin-hua2, LIU Hong-ling3, LI Gui-fang2, ZHUANG Li2*   

  1. (1Agricultural College, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, Xinjiang, China; 2College of Life Science, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, Xinjiang, China; 3 Normal College, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, Xinjiang, China)
  • Online:2016-01-10 Published:2016-01-10

Abstract:

Studies on the branching architecture characteristics of Populus euphratica in original and artificial habitats at the south edge of Junnger Basin can better understand ecological adaptation and evolutionary mechanisms of desert plants and provide theoretical basis for windbreaks configuration. The plant architecture characteristics (branching length, branching angle, ratio of branch diameter, bifurcation ratio) of natural and planted P. euphratica were studied. At different levels of plant configuration, the branching length and branching angle of natural P. euphratica increased gradually from top to low canopy, while the branching length of planted P. euphratica firstly increased and then decreased, and the branching angle increased gradually. The branching length of planted P. euphratica at various levels was significantly lower than that of natural P. euphratica (P<0.05), and the branching length from currentyear branch to third class of natural P. euphratica was greater than that of planted P. euphratica. The branch stretching ability of natural and planted P. euphratica was weakened from third class to currentyear branch. The branching angle of natural P. euphratica was lower than that of planted P. euphratica, and the branching angle from currentyear branch to third class increased gradually. The ratio of branch diameter at various levels of planted P. euphratica was greater than that of natural P. euphratica, and the carrying capacity of the branches of planted P. euphratica was higher than that of natural P. euphratica (P<0.05). The bifurcation ratio in original habitat was greater than in artificial habitat (P<0.05). As a whole, the architecture of planted P. euphratica exhibited a “half spheroidellipse” type, while natural P. euphratica was in “pyramid” type.
 

Key words: mulching, soil physicochemical property, fine root, root activity, root distribution