Root architecture in relation to tree-soil-crop interactions and shoot pruning in agroforestry

Desirable root architecture for trees differs between sequential and simultaneous agroforestry systems. In sequential systems extensive tree root development may enhance nutrient capture and transfer to subsequent crops via organic pools. In simultaneous systems tree root development in the crop root zone leads to competition for resources.Fractal branching models provide relationships between proximal root diameter, close to the tree stem, and total root length or surface area. The main assumption is that a root branching proportionality factor is independent of root diameter. This was tested in a survey of 18 multipurpose trees growing on an acid soil in Lampung (Indonesia). The assumption appeared valid for all trees tested, for stems as well as roots. The proportionality factor showed a larger variability in roots than in stems and the effects of this variabilily should be further investigated. A simple index of tree root shallowness is proposed as indicator of tree root competitiveness, based on superficial roots and stem diameter.Pruning trees is a major way to benefit from tree products and at the same time reduce above-ground competition between trees and crops. It may have negative effects, however, on root distribution and enhance below-ground competition. In an experiment with five tree species, a lower height of stem pruning led to a larger number of superficial roots of smaller diameter, but had no effect on shoot:root ratios or the relative importance of the tap root.     

林木细根动态及其在矿质养分循环中的作用研究进展

林木细根在森林生态系统能量流动和物质循环中起着重要作用。近年来,随着人们对细根功能的深入认识和研究方法的发展,细根研究成为当今森林生态学的研究热点之一。本文简要介绍了细根研究普遍采用的研究方法及其优缺点、适用性;并综合前人的研究成果,对林分细根生物量、分布、分解和周转以及细根在养分循环中的作用等研究结果进行综述。     

Growth and water potential of j-rooted loblolly and eastern white pine seedlings over three growing seasons

The effects of j-rooting on water stress and growth of loblolly (Pious taeda L.) and eastern white pine (Pious strobus L.) were examined over three growing seasons in the field. Seedlings were planted in an area with severe herbaceous competition with either their roots planted straight or bent into a j shape. All seedlings were planted with their root collars placed at the soil surface. During the first year j-rooted seedlings consistently had lower water potentials but never statistically significant. Since both treatments were planted with the root collar at the soil surface, this trend was likely due to an initial shallower root system in j-rooted seedlings. In year three no differences in water potential were significant and no trends were evident. Growth did not differ significantly by treatment at any time but, by year three, j-rooted plants were consistently larger for both species.     

窥镜技术在植物根系监测中的应用

窥镜探测技术是传统内窥镜技术与现代计算机技术、微电子技术、图象处理技术等新技术的不断发展和融合的产物,窥镜探测系统由窥镜摄影系统、图象处理和图象分析三部分组成,它采用彩色面阵CCD摄像元件,接收信息后送计算机处理。本文给出了窥镜技术在植物根系系统中的设计要点和实际应用。     

山鸡椒上一种新的干基腐朽病

本文报道了我国贵州北部山鸡椒上一种新的干基腐朽病害，其病原菌是粗皮灵芝（Ganoderma tsunodae(Yasuda ex Lloyd)Trott.)。基于本研究采集的标本及日本模式产地的标本，对此病原菌进行了详细描述。该菌主要危害贵州北部的山鸡椒，造成干基白色腐朽，最后导致树林死亡。对病害的症状，造成的危害及病原菌的分布进行了讨论。     

异担子菌及其病害防治的研究现状

北半球针叶林最严重的森林病害是由广义的多年异担子菌(Heterobasidion annosum sensu lato)引起的干基白色腐朽病,但近年的研究表明多年异担子菌并不是单一的物种,目前在欧洲已分出3个独立的种,即原始多年异担子菌(Heterobasidion annosum sensu stricto)、小孔异担子菌(Heterobasidion parviporum)和冷杉异担子菌(Heterobasidi-on abietinum),它们生物学习性、形态结构,生态学,寄主范围和发生区域均有差异。应用大伏革菌Phlebiopsisgigantea对该类病害进行生物防治是较好的方法。将中国东北和西南(云南)的异担子菌单孢菌株与欧洲的三种异担子菌进行交配,结果表明中国东北和西南地区的异担子菌与原始多年异担子菌无性亲和反应,而与小孔异担子菌有性融合反应,因此中国东北和西南地区的异担子菌是小孔异担子菌,目前中国并不存在原始多年异担子菌。由于原始多年异担子菌和冷杉异担子菌均为严重的森林病原菌,应将其作为对外检疫对象。     

Estimating “autotrophic” belowground respiration in spruce and beech forests: decreases following girdling

Seasonal fluxes of CO₂ from soil and the contribution of autotrophic (root + mycorrhizal) to total soil respiration (SR) were estimated for a mixed stand of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Norway spruce (Picea abies) in Central Europe. Mature trees of each species were girdled in August 2002 to eliminate carbohydrate allocation to roots. SR was measured at distances of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5/2.0 m from the bole of each tree at 1–2 weeks intervals throughout the fall of 2002 and monthly during the spring and summer of 2003. The contribution of roots and mycorrhizae to total SR was estimated by the decrease in SR compared to ungirdled control trees to account for seasonal patterns evident in controls. SR decreased with soil temperature in the fall 2002 and increased again in 2003 as soil warmed. During most of the study period, SR was strongly related to soil temperature. During the dry summer of 2003, however, SR appeared to be uncoupled from temperature and was strongly related to soil water content (SWC). Mean rates of SR in beech and spruce control plots as well as root densities did not show a clear pattern with distance from the bole. SR decreased to levels below controls in beech within a few days after girdling, whereas spruce did not show a significant decrease until October 2002, 6 weeks after girdling. In both beech and spruce, decreased SR in response to girdling was greatest closest to the bole, possibly reflecting increased mycorrhizal activity close to the bole. Autotrophic respiration was estimated in beech to be as much as 50% of the total SR in the stand. The contribution of autotrophic respiration was less certain for spruce, although close to the bole, the autotrophic fraction may contribute to total SR as much as in beech. The large fraction of autotrophic respiration in total SR requires better understanding of tree level stresses that affect carbon allocation below ground.     

Planted conifer seedling growth under two soil thermal regimes in high-elevation forest openings in interior British Columbia

A field trial was conducted investigating the single season growth response of 1+0 313 PSB Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.) seedlings planted into two different soil thermal regimes at three high-elevation locations spanning 200 km in the Engelmann Spruce-Subalpine Fir (ESSF) biogeoclimatic zone in the Cariboo Mountains of central British Columbia. Temperature treatments represented the extremes of soil temperature commonly found in high-elevation clear-cuts. A warm soil treatment (clear day, mid-afternoon soil temperature in mid-summer of 18 to 25 °C at –10 cm) consisting of a bare mineral soil hummock (average dimensions of 100 cm × 100 cm × 40 cm) was contrasted with a cool soil treatment (clear day, mid-afternoon soil temperature in mid-summer of 10 to 13 °C at –10 cm) comprised of organic forest floor overlying mineral soil. By the end of the growing season, seedlings of both species planted into the warm treatment generally exhibited greater root, stem, foliage, and total seedling biomass than cool treatment seedlings. Measurements of root growth at 30, 60, and 90 days after planting showed that total root number and total root length were consistently greater for warm treatment seedlings than for cool treatment seedlings. Root growth was greater from the bottom rather than from the side of the root plug for all seedlings. These results suggest that the effect of low soil temperatures on outplanted styroblock conifer seedlings is pronounced and may be limiting growth performance in high-elevation plantations in British Columbia. We recommend silvicultural treatments that secure natural regeneration, ensure that warmer microsites are always planted, and utilize seedling stocktypes able to make rapid lateral root growth into warmer surface organic horizons.     

Fine roots refilling process in an artificial gap in a Picea mongolica forest

Picea mongolica is an endemic but endangered species in China. The spruce forest is only found in sandy forest-steppe ecotones. In this study, we examined the initial response of the quantity and refilling process of fine roots in an artificial canopy gap with a diameter of 36 m in a P. mongolica forest. Under the canopy, the fine root length densities of trees, shrubs and herbs were 2,622, 864 and 3,086 m·m–2, respectively. The fine root biomass of trees, shrubs and herbs were 148, 62 and 65 g·m–2, respect...     

Morphological plasticity of cotton roots in response to interspecific competition with pecan in an alleycropping system in the southern United States

A study was conducted in northwest Florida, USA, to investigate root development and morphology of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) under pecan (Carya illinoensis K. Koch) trees in an alleycropping experiment. Root:shoot ratio, root biomass, total root length and root length density were examined under three treatments: (1) barrier (separating belowground interspecific competition by trenching to a depth of 120 cm and installing polyethylene barrier), (2) non-barrier (root systems were free to interact), and (3) monoculture of cotton (without above and belowground interspecific competition with trees). Results indicated that plants in the barrier and non-barrier treatments had lower root:shoot ratios compared to the monoculture treatment. Belowground competition for resources between pecan and cotton in the non-barrier treatment resulted in 25 and 33% reduction of total root length (359 cm) when compared to that of the barrier (477 cm) and monoculture (539 cm) treatments, respectively. The non-barrier plants also exhibited the lowest root length density. Specific root length was highest for the monoculture (179 cm g⁻¹) and lowest for the non-barrier treatment (146 cm g⁻¹) with the barrier treatment being intermediate (165 cm g⁻¹). Interspecific competition with pecan significantly altered root development and morphology of cotton plants. Research in agroforestry should take into account the developmental differences in root systems of the associated crop species so that better models incorporating nutrient and water uptake can be developed.