Stand age and fine root biomass, distribution and morphology in a Norway spruce chronosequence in southeast Norway

We assessed the influence of stand age on fine root biomass and morphology of trees and understory vegetation in 10-, 30-, 60- and 120-year-old Norway spruce stands growing in sandy soil in southeast Norway. Fine root (< 1, 1-2 and 2-5 mm in diameter) biomass of trees and understory vegetation (< 2 mm in diameter) was sampled by soil coring to a depth of 60 cm. Fine root morphological characteristics, such as specific root length (SRL), root length density (RLD), root surface area (RSA), root tip number and branching frequency (per unit root length or mass), were determined based on digitized root data. Fine root biomass and morphological characteristics related to biomass (RLD and RSA) followed the same tendency with chronosequence and were significantly higher in the 30-year-old stand and lower in the 10-year-old stand than in the other stands. Among stands, mean fine root (< 2 mm) biomass ranged from 49 to 398 g m(-2), SLR from 13.4 to 19.8 m g(-1), RLD from 980 to 11,650 m m(-3) and RSA from 2.4 to 35.4 m(2) m(-3). Most fine root biomass of trees was concentrated in the upper 20 cm of the mineral soil and in the humus layer (0-5 cm) in all stands. Understory fine roots accounted for 67 and 25% of total fine root biomass in the 10- and 120-year-old stands, respectively. Stand age had no affect on root tip number or branching frequency, but both parameters changed with soil depth, with increasing number of root tips and decreasing branching frequency with increasing soil depth for root fractions < 2 mm in diameter. Specific (mass based) root tip number and branching density were highest for the finest roots (< 1 mm) in the humus layer. Season (spring or fall) had no effect on tree fine root biomass, but there was a small and significant increase in understory fine root biomass in fall relative to spring. All morphological characteristics showed strong seasonal variation, especially the finest root fraction, with consistently and significantly higher values in spring than in fall. We conclude that fine root biomass, especially in the finest fraction (< 1 mm in diameter), is strongly dependent on stand age. Among stands, carbon concentration in fine root biomass was highest in the 30-year-old stand, and appeared to be associated with the high tree and canopy density during the early stage of stand development. Values of RLD and RSA, morphological features indicative of stand nutrient-uptake efficiency, were higher in the 30-year-old stand than in the other stands.     

林分年龄对落叶松人工林细根生物量的影响

【目的】随着森林的发育过程,林木个体的生长和生物量分配,以及林分水平的结构和功能均发生了明显的变化。然而,细根生物量与林分年龄的联系,目前仍然了解有限。本研究以黑龙江省帽儿山地区兴安落叶松人工林为研究对象,比较了同一林分在19年和32年生时林分水平(单位面积)和单株水平细根生物量的垂直分布和季节动态,分析了影响细根生物量变化的林分与土壤因子,旨在明确林分年龄对细根生物量的影响和潜在的机制。【方法】在生长季内的5月、7月和9月,采用土钻法获取土壤0~30 cm深度细根并测定生物量,同时测定林分特征和土壤养分和水分含量。【结果】随林龄增加,落叶松人工林单位面积细根生物量显著下降,而单株细根生物量变化不显著;与19年生林分相比,32年生林分土壤表层(0~10 cm)细根生物量占总细根生物量的比例明显下降,土壤亚表层(10~20 cm)和底层(20~30 cm)细根生物量所占比例增加,呈现出细根向深层土壤增生的趋势。土壤表层(0~10cm)单位面积细根生物量随林分年龄的变化趋势与林分密度和胸高断面积、土壤铵态氮浓度变化有关,但是单株细根生物量受林分和土壤因子的影响均不显著。【结论】林分发育过程中,落叶松细根生物量降低,细根的资源吸收策略发生了明显的改变。     

江南油杉细根生物量空间分布及其对土壤水分的响应

[目的]探明广西不同栽培区江南油杉细根生物量的空间分布共性及其对土壤水分的响应机制.[方法]以广西3个栽培区江南油杉人工幼林为研究对象,采用根系全株分层挖掘和根系形态结构分析法,定量分析江南油杉幼树不同径级细根生物量密度、根长密度和表面积密度的空间分布特征.[结果]1)江南油杉幼林期细根生物量在垂直方向上主要分布在0～...     

Estimation of the fine root biomass in a Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) plantation using minirhizotrons

We estimated fine root biomass in a Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) plantation using a min-irhizotron technique. Since data obtained from minirhizo-trons are limited to the length and diameter of fine roots observed on minirhizotron tubes, data conversion is necessary to determine the fine root biomass per unit soil volume or unit stand area. We first examined the regression between diameter squared and weight per unit length of fine roots in soil core samples, and calculated the fine root biomass on minirhizotron tubes from their length and diameter. Then we determined conversion factors based on the ratio of the fine root biomass in soil core samples to that on minirhizotron tubes. We examined calculation methods, using a single conversion factor for total fine root biomass in the soil for depths of 0–40cm (Cal1), or using four conversion factors for fine roots in the soil at 10-cm intervals (Cal2). Cal1 overestimated fine root biomass in the lower soil or underestimated that in the upper soil, while fine root biomass calculated using Cal2 better matched that in soil core samples. These results suggest that minirhizotron data should be converted separately for different soil depths to better estimate fine root biomass.     

Impact factors on fine root seasonal dynamics in Fraxinus mandshurica plantations

Fine root turnover plays important roles in carbon allocation and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. Seasonal dynamics of fine roots is critical for understanding the processes of fine root turnover. From May to October 2002, soil core method was used for estimating the seasonal pattern of fine root (diameter < 1 mm) parameters (biomass, specific root length (SRL) and root length density (RLD)) in a Manchurian ash (Fraxinus mandshurica) plantation located at the Maoershan Experiment Station, Heilongjiang Province, northeast of China. The relationships of fine root biomass, SRL and RLD with available nitrogen in soil, average soil temperature per month in 10 cm depth and soil moisture content were analyzed. Seasonal variation of fine root biomass was significant (P < 0.05). The peak values of fine root biomass were observed both in spring and in autumn, but SRL and RLD were the highest in spring and lowest in autumn. Specific root length and root length density were higher in spring and summer, which means that fine root diameter was thinner. In autumn, both parameters decreased significantly due to secondary incrassation of fine root diameter or the increase of tissue density. Seasonal dynamics of fine roots was associated with available nitrogen in soil, soil temperature in 10 cm depth and moisture content. Fine root biomass has a significant relationship with available NH₄ ⁺-N in soil. Available NO₃ ⁻-N in soil, soil temperature in 10-cm depth and moisture content have a positive correlation with fine root biomass, SRL and RLD, although these correlations are not significant (P > 0.05). But the compound effects of soil available N, soil temperature and soil moisture content are significant to every root parameter. The variations of these three root parameters in different seasons show different physiological and ecological functions in different growing periods. Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2006, 42(9): 7–12 [译自: 林业科学]     

水曲柳人工林细根季节动态及其影响因素

2002年5-10月,采用连续钻取土芯法对帽儿山实验林场的水曲柳人工林细根(直径＜1 mm)生物量、比根长(SRL)和根长密度(RLD)的季节动态,以及它们与土壤N的有效性、土壤10 cm深处月均温度和含水量的关系进行研究.结果表明:水曲柳细根生物量在春季和秋季分别具有1个明显的高峰,但比根长和根长密度只有1个高峰.在春季和夏季,比根长和根长密度较高,显示细根直径较小,而秋季,这2个参数显著下降,表明细根直径次生增厚或组织密度增加.细根的季节变化与土壤N的有效性、土壤温度和土壤含水量有重要关系.其中细根生物量与土壤铵态氮含量显著相关;硝态氮含量、10 cm深处土壤的温度和土壤含水量与细根的生物量、比根长和根长密度的季节变化正相关,但均不显著(P＞0.05).4种因子的综合作用对水曲柳细根各参数的影响均达到了显著水平.不同季节细根生物量、比根长和根长密度的变化,显示出细根在生长季不同时期具有不同的生理生态功能.     

黄土丘陵区燕沟流域人工刺槐林的细根空间分布特征

对黄土丘陵区燕沟流域10年生人工刺槐林的细根生物量、比根长、根长密度和根面积指数的空间分布特征,以及这些根系参数与土壤物理因子(土壤含水量、土壤温度和土壤密度)的关系进行研究。结果表明:1)人工刺槐林细根在0～180cm土层中随深度呈层次性衰减(a,b,c,d,e);其中,细根生物量、根长密度和根面积指数等随深度变化均可用负指数函数描述,根系集中分布在0～60cm土层,峰值都在0～20cm土层,该土层3项指标分别占各自0～60cm土层总量的42.72%,44.44%和47.14%;比根长随深度增加衰减趋势较弱,在80～140cm土层中出现反复,其随土层深度的变化可用三次多项式描述。2)细根生物量、根长密度和根面积指数等均随距树干基部的距离增加而减小,比根长在0～40cm随距树干距离增加而增加,在40～80cm达到最大值,120～160cm内最少。3)根系分布受环境因子影响,其影响程度依次为:土壤温度>土壤含水量>土壤密度,建立根系参数与土壤物理因子的多元线性回归模型,模型均达到95%以上显著水平。     

Changes in fine root production and longevity in relation to water and nutrient availability in a Norway spruce stand in northern Sweden

Effects of irrigation and liquid fertilization on fine root (< 1 mm) production and longevity, and fine root (< 0.5-2 mm) biomass were studied in a Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) stand in northern Sweden. Fine root length production and longevity were measured by the minirhizotron technique at 0-10 cm depth in the following treatments: irrigation (I), liquid fertilization (IL) and control (C). Standing root biomass and root length density (RLD) were studied in the litter-fermented humus (LFH) layer and at depths of 0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm using soil cores in solid fertilized (F) and C plots. Minirhizotrons were installed in October 1994 and measurements recorded monthly from July to September 1995 and during the growing season in 1996. Soil cores were sampled in 1996. Fine root production increased significantly in IL plots compared with C plots, but the I treatment did not increase root production. Root mortality increased significantly in IL plots compared with C plots. Fine root longevity in IL plots was significantly lower compared with C and I plots. No significant difference was found between longevity of fine roots in I and C plots. Compared with C, F treatment increased fine root biomass in the LFH and mineral soil layers, and increased the amount of fine roots in mineral soil layers relative to the LFH layer. Furthermore, F increased RLD and the number of mycorrhizal root tips significantly.     

Spatial distribution of Eucalyptus roots in a deep sandy soil in the Congo: relationships with the ability of the stand to take up water and nutrients

Spatial statistical analyses were performed to describe root distribution and changes in soil strength in a mature clonal plantation of Eucalyptus spp. in the Congo. The objective was to analyze spatial variability in root distribution. Relationships between root distribution, soil strength and the water and nutrient uptake by the stand were also investigated. We studied three, 2.35-m-wide, vertical soil profiles perpendicular to the planting row and at various distances from a representative tree. The soil profiles were divided into 25-cm2 grid cells and the number of roots in each of three diameter classes counted in each grid cell. Two profiles were 2-m deep and the third profile was 5-m deep. There was both vertical and horizontal anisotropy in the distribution of fine roots in the three profiles, with root density decreasing sharply with depth and increasing with distance from the stump. Roots were present in areas with high soil strength values (> 6,000 kPa). There was a close relationship between soil water content and soil strength in this sandy soil. Soil strength increased during the dry season mainly because of water uptake by fine roots. There were large areas with low root density, even in the topsoil. Below a depth of 3 m, fine roots were spatially concentrated and most of the soil volume was not explored by roots. This suggests the presence of drainage channels, resulting from the severe hydrophobicity of the upper soil.     

Fine-root dynamics of coffee in association with two shade trees in Costa Rica

Fine-root dynamics (diameter < 2.0 mm) were studied on-farm in associations of Coffea arabica with Eucalyptus deglupta or Terminalia ivorensis and in a pseudo-chronosequence of C. arabica-E. deglupta associations (two, three, four and five years old). Coffee plants were submitted to two fertilisation types. Cores were taken in the 0–40 cm soil profile two years after out-planting and subsequently in the following year in depth layers 0–10 and 10–20 cm, during and at the end of the rainy season, and during the dry season. Fine root density of coffee and timber shade trees was greater in the coffee fertilisation strip as compared to unfertilised areas close to the plants or in the inter-rows. Coffee fine roots were more evenly distributed in the topsoil (0–20 cm) whereas tree fine roots were mostly found in the first 10 cm. Although the two tree species had approximately the same fine root length density, lower coffee / tree fine root length density ratios in T. ivorensis suggest that this shade tree is potentially a stronger competitor with coffee than E. deglupta. Coffee and tree fine root length density for 0–10 cm measured during the rainy season increased progressively from two to five-year-aged associations and coffee fine root length density increased relatively more than E. deglupta fine root length density in the four and five-year-aged plantations suggesting that contrary to expectations, coffee fine roots were displacing tree fine roots.     

滴灌栽培杨树人工林细根空间分布特征

[目的]为探究滴灌条件下杨树人工林细根的空间分布特征,对大兴区林场滴灌栽培的5年生欧美107杨的细根分布进行研究。[方法]采用根钻法分别在株间、对角和行间方向距树干0.2、0.5、1.0、1.5 m处取样,取样深度为60 cm,每10 cm为1个土层。[结果]滴灌条件下,在不同方向的不同树干距离和土层深度,杨树人工林的细根生物量和根长表现出相似的分布特征,其分布受树干距离、土层及其交互作用的影响显著(P0.05)。滴灌条件下,株间方向的细根总长为12.7 cm,分别是对角和行间方向细根长的1.82倍和2.32倍,上述3个方向取样位点细根总长为25.2 cm,其中的86.4%在滴灌形成的湿润带范围内;0 40 cm土层的细根长占0 60 cm土层细根总长的84.5%。各方向的细根水平分布特征不同,株间方向细根长在距树干0.5 m处最大,为4.2 cm,占该方向细根总长的33.1%,且与其他树干距离处差异显著(P0.05);对角和行间方向细根长在距树干0.2 m处最大,分别为2.7、2.3 cm,占各自方向细根总长的38.1%和41.8%。各方向的细根垂直分布特征不同,株间方向细根长在0 10 cm土层最大,为3.7 cm,占该方向细根总长的29.1%,且与其他土层差异显著(P0.05);对角和行间方向细根长均在10 20 cm土层最大,分别为2.0、1.7 cm,占各自方向细根总长的27.9%和31.0%,与其他土层细根长差异显著(P0.05)。[结论]滴灌条件下,杨树人工林细根的空间分布特征可以采用细根生物量或细根长任一指标来表述。滴灌后形成的连续湿润带导致土壤水分条件的差异使细根在不同方向的水平分布和垂直分布特征不同,细根分布表现为株间对角行间,细根主要分布在湿润带范围内且在0 40 cm土层相对集中分布。依据滴灌栽培杨树人工林细根的水平和垂直分布规律,每次滴灌后应保证水分侧渗到距离树干至少50 cm的范围,下渗的深度至少达到40 cm深,以满足杨树人工林正常生长对水分的需求。本研究结果和结论为确定精准的单次有效灌溉量提供理论依据,从而实现既节水又确保林木正常生长的双重目标。     

Root turnover and root necromass accumulation of Norway spruce (Picea abies) are affected by soil acidity

Fine root distribution and turnover were investigated in ca. 40-year-old pure Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) stands in Germany, growing on four sites that differed in soil acidity (Eberg?tzen < Barbis < Fichtelgebirge = Harz). The density of fine root biomass and necromass in different soil horizons differed among the sites. At one of the most acidic sites (Harz), fine root density in the humus layer was more than twice that at the least acidic site (Eberg?tzen). At the two most acidic sites, Fichtelgebirge and Harz, the ratio of biomass to necromass was significantly lower than at Eberg?tzen and Barbis, particularly in the subsoil layer. In each stand, clear vertical gradients in fine root length density and root tip density were observed. Most of the roots and the root tips were in the humus layer and in the first mineral soil horizon (0-10 cm). There was a significantly different decrease in specific root length (cm gDM (-1)) and specific root tip density (root tips gDM (-1)) in the more acidified stands Fichtelgebirge and Harz compared with Eberg?tzen and Barbis. Fine root production estimated by ingrowth cores and a net method was approximately twice as high in the more acidic stands Fichtelgebirge and Harz compared with Eberg?tzen and Barbis. Rates of living fine root biomass turnover were higher at the Fichtelgebirge and Harz sites than at the Eberg?tzen site. Rates of necromass turnover were similar at all sites. The results suggest that the accumulation of necromass was not due to a slower disappearance at the more acid sites, but to earlier root death. Roots contributed 46% to root + needle litter and 32% to root + total aboveground litter at the Harz site in 1997.     

Moderate drought alters biomass and depth distribution of fine roots in Norway spruce

A rain shelter experiment was conducted in a 90‐year‐old Norway spruce stand, in the Kysucké Beskydy Mts (Slovakia). Three rain shelters were constructed in the stand to prevent the rainfall from reaching the soil and to reduce water availability in the rhizosphere. Fine root biomass and necromass were repeatedly measured throughout a growing season by soil coring. We established the quantities of fine root biomass (live) and necromass (dead) at soil depths of 0–5, 5–15, 15–25 and 25–35 cm. Significant differences in soil moisture contents between control and drought plots were found in the top 15 cm of soil after 20 weeks of rainfall manipulation (lasting from early June to late October). Our observations show that even relatively light drought decreased total fine root biomass from 272.0 to 242.8 g m^?2 and increased the amount of necromass from 79.2 to 101.2 g m^?2 in the top 35 cm of soil. Very fine roots (VFR), that is, those with diameter up to 1 mm, were more affected than total fine roots defined as 0–2 mm. The effect of reduced water availability was depth‐specific; as a result, we observed a modification of vertical distribution of fine roots. More roots in drought treatment were produced in the wetter soil horizons at 25–35 cm depth than at the surface. We conclude that fine and VFR systems of Norway spruce have the capacity to re‐allocate resources to roots at different depths in response to environmental signals, resulting in changes in necromass to biomass ratio.     

Spatial and temporal patterns of fine root abundance in a mixed oak-beech forest

Spatial distribution and seasonal fluctuation of fine root density (mass per unit soil volume) and abundance (mass or surface area per unit ground surface area) were investigated by the sequential coring technique in a 100–220 year old mixed Fagus sylvatica-Quercus petraea stand on acidic sandy soil in northwest Germany. The fine root systems of the two co-existing species overlapped completely with beech roots being twice as abundant as oak roots. Since Fagus and Quercus occupied equivalent parts of the canopy volume, oak appeared to be under-represented in the below-ground space. There was evidence for some degree of below-ground niche partitioning between the species in both the vertical and the horizontal direction. Oak fine roots were found to be more superficially distributed than beech roots in the organic layers, indicating a vertical stratification of the root systems of the two species. In the forest floor, fine roots were more abundant in the vicinity of aok stems where thicker organic layers occurred. However, this distribution pattern was not a consequence of a greater abundance of oak roots close to their parent stem, but was due to a higher frequency of beech roots here.     

Root development across a chronosequence in a Japanese cedar (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis> D. Don) plantation

We investigated the biomass, vertical distribution, and specific root length (SRL) of fine and small roots in a chronosequence of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) plantations in Nara Prefecture, central Japan. Roots were collected from soil blocks up to 50 cm in depth in five plantations of differing age: 4, 15, 30, 41, and 88 years old. Fine-root biomass reached a maximum (639 g m₋₂) in the 15-year-old stand before canopy closure, decreased in the 30-year-old stand (422 g m₋₂), and thereafter was stable. Except in the 30-year-old stand, fine-root biomass increased in deeper soil layers as stand age increased, and the depth at which the cumulative biomass of fine roots reached 90% exhibited a good allometric relationship with mean stem diameter. Both root-length density (root length per unit soil volume) and SRL decreased with soil depth in all stands, indicating that plants mainly acquire water and nutrients from shallow soils. The highest SRL was observed in the 4-year-old stand, but the relationship between SRL and stand age was unclear in older stands. The SRL in surface soils seemed to decrease with increases in root-length density, suggesting that branching of the fine-root system during development is related to density-dependent processes rather than age.     

Biomass of fine and small roots in two Japanese black pine stands of different ages

The biomass and the spatial distribution of fine and small roots were studied in two Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii Parl.) stands growing on a sandy soil. More biomass of fine and small roots was found in the 17-year-old than in the 40-year-old stand. There were 62 g m⁻² of fine roots and 56 g m⁻² of small roots in the older stand, which represented mean values of 608 g for fine and 552 g for small roots per tree, respectively. In the younger stand, a total of 85 g m⁻² of fine roots and 66 g m⁻² of small roots were determined, representing a mean of 238 g for fine and 186 g for small roots per tree, respectively. Fine and small root biomasses decreased linearly with a soil depth of 0–50 cm in the older stand. In the younger stand, the fine and small roots developed only up to a depth of 30 cm. Horizontal distributions (with regard to distance from a tree) of both root groups were homogeneous. A positive correlation in the amount of biomass of fine and small roots per m² relative to tree size was found. Fine and small root biomasses increased consistently from April to July in both stands. The results also indicated earlier growth activity of the fine roots than small roots at the beginning of the growing season. The seasonal increases in fine and small root biomasses were slightly higher in the younger stand than the older stand.     

紫穗槐根系形态与固土护坡效应研究

本文采用紫穗槐根系的现场调查和根系扫描图像数据的方法,通过对根长量、根长密度、根体积和单位体积土中含根量4根系指标数据的测定和分析,研究根系对边坡土体水土保持的效果。结果显示,紫穗槐属于深根性直根树种,主干根的优势极为显著,分布最深可达50 cm土层以下,须根在各个土壤层次中均有不同径级根系的分布,根长和根量指标也随着土层的加深而均匀递减。根系能够对土体起到锚固和加筋作用,对边坡表层土体的水土侵蚀起到有效保护作用。     

Response of root distribution of Haloxylon ammodendron seedlings to irrigation amounts in the hinterlands of the Taklimakan Desert, China

We excavated soil to study root distribution in Haloxylon ammodendron seedlings grown with different amounts of irrigation (35, 24.5 and 14 kg water for each plant each time) in the hinterland of the Taklimakan Desert. The results indicated that: 1) With decreasing irrigation amounts, the root biomass tended to be distributed in deeper soil layers. Underground biomass had a significantly negative logarithmic relationship with soil depth under different irrigation amounts. 2) Maximum horizontal spread of roots was twice that of vertical root spread, and horizontal distribution of root biomass was similar under all irrigation amounts. 3) Vertical distribution of fine roots was nearly consistent with vertical changes in soil moisture, and all had a unimodal curve; but peak values of fine root biomass in different soil layers varied with different irrigation amounts. The smaller the amount of irrigation, the deeper were the fine roots concentrated in soil layers. 4) Root length, root surface area and root volume all exhibited a unimodal curve under different irrigation amounts; the less the irrigation amount, the deeper the peak values appeared in soil layers. 5) Rootshoot ratio and ratio of vertical root depth to plant height both increased as irrigation amounts decreased. __________ Translated from Journal of Plant Ecology (Chinese Version), 2007, 31 (5): 769–776 [译自: 植物生态学报]     

Plant roots and anti-scourability of soils in the Shangshe Catchment, Dabie Mountains, Anhui Province, Eastern China

The distribution of root biomass was studied in different soil layers (0–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40 cm) by means of a “study plot” method for various plant species in the Shangshe Catchment area in the Dabie Mountains, Anhui Province. The number and lengths of root samples were recorded. In each study plot, anti-scourability of soils in corresponding soil layers was measured with a C.C. Suoboliefu anti-scourability instrument. The results showed the following: 1) The root system was largely distributed in the 0–40 cm soil layer and the number of roots was the largest in the surface soil layer. Fine roots<1 mm in diameter predominated in root length. 2) In the same section, the anti-scourability indices of the surface soil layer were larger than those of other soil layers in the various plant species. The tree root system, especially the fine roots<1 mm in diameter, are highly instrumental in controlling soil losses. Correlation coefficients of length, number and density of fine roots and the anti-scourability index were 0.8173, 0.7159 and 0.6434, respectively. The length of fine root is a key factor in the anti-scourability soil index. This index is closely correlated with the non-capillarity of each soil type, indicating that forests have a strong soil stabilizing function, because their root systems improve physical soil properties and ultimately are responsible for the establishment of a biosoil system with an anti-scourability index. __________ Translated from Science of Water and Soil Conservation, 2007, 5(6): 15–20 [译自: 中国水土保持科学]     

Vertical root separation and light interception in a temperate tree-based intercropping system of Eastern Canada

We analysed the spatial distribution of fine roots and light availability in a tree-based intercrop system (TBI) composed of Quercus rubra L. (QUR), hybrid poplar (Populus deltoides × Populus nigra—HYP) and hay (CROP) in southern Québec (Canada) to evaluate interactions between trees and crop. Trees in the 8-year-old TBI system had superficial fine root profiles, which is common in tree species grown in conventional plantations and natural forests. More than 95 % of fine roots were found within the first 25 and 45 cm for QUR and HYP, respectively, and 35 cm for CROP. However, vertical separation between the fine root systems of QUR and CROP was evident, as QUR allocated less fine roots to the top 10 cm of soil, and more to depths between 10 and 30 cm, as opposed to CROP which had a greater proportion of fine roots in the top 10 cm. HYP fine roots showed no adaption when intercropped with hay. High tree fine root length density (FRLD) in the top soil layer was observed near the tree stems while hay FRLD was reduced by 45 %, suggesting strong competition for resources. Hay yield analysis revealed significant reduction near trees, particularly HYP. However, light did seem to be the main driver of intercrop yield, as it not only accounted for the effect of competition by roots (being correlated), but also had a singular effect.