Fine root adaptation strategies of Pinus koraiensis and P. sylvestris var. mongolica under rocky steep slope conditions.

doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202605.004

Abstract

Abstract: To improve the effectiveness of ecological restoration of rocky steep slopes and the scientific selection of tree species, we analyzed the adaptation strategies of fine roots of 14-year-old young plantations of Pinus koraiensis and P. sylvestris var. mongolica under the rocky steep slope restoration. The results showed that under non-rocky gentle normal conditions, there was no difference in the topological indices (TI) between P. koraiensis (0.69) and P. sylvestris var. mongolica (0.73). On rocky steep slopes, the topological indice of P. koraiensis fine root significantly decreased (TI=0.63), showing dichotomous branching, whereas that of P. sylvestris var. mongolica significantly increased (TI=0.79), with branching structure approaching a herringbone pattern. Under normal conditions, there were significant morphological differences between the two species. The average fine root diameter of P. koraiensis was 1.6 times that of P. sylvestris var. mongolica, while its specific root length and specific root surface area were only one-third and one-half that of P. sylvestris var. mongolica, respectively. Under rocky steep slope conditions, the average diameter and specific root length of 1st-3rd order roots significantly increased while tissue density significantly decreased in P. koraiensis, whereas P. sylvestris var. mongolica showed opposite trends. Compared with those under normal conditions, P. sylvestris var. mongolica on rocky steep slopes exhibited significantly increased carbon content and C:N but significantly decreased nitrogen content in its 1st-3rd order fine roots, while P. koraiensis showed an opposite trend. The mycorrhizal colonization rate significantly increased by 25.0% in P. koraiensis but decreased by 32.3% in P. sylvestris var. mongolica on rocky steep slopes. P. koraiensis enhanced resource acquisition through increasing fine root dichotomous branching and mycorrhizal symbiosis, whereas P. sylvestris var. mongolica adapted via simplifying branching structure of fine roots and enhancing tissue defense. Both species were suitable for ecological restoration on rocky steep slopes.

Key words: rocky steep slope, fine root, topological structure, stoichiometric ratio, mycorrhizal colonization rate, environmental adaptation

HUANG Bo, YANG Lixue, LI Fan, DONG Hui, HAO Jingxiang. Fine root adaptation strategies of Pinus koraiensis and P. sylvestris var. mongolica under rocky steep slope conditions.[J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2026, 37(5): 1422-1430.

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