Seasonal variation in the biomass and non-structural carbohydrate content of fine roots of teak (Tectona grandis L. f.) plantations in a dry tropical region

Seasonal variation in the biomass and total non-structural carbohydrate content (TNC) of fine roots of teak (Tectona grandis L. f.) were studied in 19- and 29-year-old plantations in a dry tropical region. Fine root TNC content was highest during the dry summer (May), and lowest in the early part of the rainy season (July). Generally, seasonal trends in TNC content were the opposite of those in fine root biomass. The TNC concentration of roots increased with diameter and decreased with soil depth. In the 19-year-old plantation, fine root TNC content was approximately 12% higher than in the 29-year-old plantation.     

Fine root dynamics in organic and mineral soil layers of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis> D. Don plantation

Fine root dynamics and root architecture were studied in the organic and mineral soil layers of a Cryptomeria japonica plantation. Fine root biomass (<1 mm) showed seasonal changes whereas fine root biomass (1–2 mm) was unchanged over the study period. Root tips were grouped into size classes based on root tip diameter, including <0.5, 0.5–1, and 1–2 mm. Root tip density (<1 mm) was significantly correlated with fine root biomass (<1 mm). Root tip density and fine root biomass (<1 mm) increased in summer and decreased in winter, and both showed a similar seasonal pattern. Root tip dynamics influenced fine root dynamics. Root architecture as expressed by branching intensity changed with root tip production and mortality. Branching intensity also showed a similar seasonal pattern of root tip density dynamics. Root tips of both <0.5 and 0.5–1 mm were mainly produced in the organic soil layer, while root tips of 0.5–1 mm were mainly produced in the mineral soil layer. Because of the high RT1 root tip production in the organic soil layer, branching intensity was higher in the organic soil than in the mineral soil layer during summer. Root tip dynamics influenced fine root dynamics and the architecture of root systems in both organic and mineral soil layers.     

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.     

Fine root dynamics in a developing Populus deltoides plantation

A closely spaced (1 x 1 m) cottonwood (Populus deltoides Bartr.) plantation was established to evaluate the effects of nutrient availability on fine root dynamics. Slow-release fertilizer (17:6:12 N,P,K plus micronutrients) was applied to 225-m(2) plots at 0, 50, 100 and 200 kg N ha(-1), and plots were monitored for two growing seasons. Fine root production, mortality, live root standing crop and life span were analyzed based on monthly minirhizotron observations. Fine root biomass was measured in soil cores. Fine root dynamics were controlled more by temporal, depth and root diameter factors than by fertilization. Cumulative fine root production and mortality showed strong seasonal patterns; production was greatest in the middle of the growing season and mortality was greatest after the growing season. Small diameter roots at shallow soil depths cycled more rapidly than larger or deeper roots. The strongest treatment effects were found in the most rapidly cycling roots. The standing crop of live roots increased with fertilizer treatment according to both minirhizotron and soil coring methods. However, production and mortality had unique treatment response patterns. Although cumulative mortality decreased in response to increased fertilization, cumulative production was intermediate at 0 kg N ha(-1), lowest with 50 kg N ha (-1), and highest with 200 kg N ha(-1). Aboveground growth responded positively to fertilization up to an application rate of 50 kg N ha(-1), but no further increases in growth were observed despite a threefold increase in application rate. Median fine root life span varied from 307 to over 700 days and increased with depth, diameter and nutrient availability.     

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]     

长白山阔叶红松林群落的细根现存量及养分内循环

细根(直径≤2mm)是植物吸收水分和养分的重要器官,细根通过呼吸作用和周转过程向土壤输送有机质(Jackson et al.,1997;王政权等,2008)。细根生物量虽然仅占植物体总生物量的5%左右,但由于细根生长和周转迅速,其生长量可占森林初级生产力的50%～75%(Nadelhoffer et al.,1992),每     

Nutrient Dynamics of Fine Roots in the Mixed Plantation of Poplar and Black Locust

The mixed plantation of poplar (Populus spp.) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) is one of the typical mixed stands with nitrogen-fixing and non-nitrogen-fixing species. Interaction between the two species in the mixed stand is harmonious and productivity is high, making this kind of mixed plantation a very successful pattern on poor sandy sites in north China. In this study, the fine root decomposition of the two species was investigated in the mixed plantation of 27-year-old Canadian poplar (P. canadansis) and 22-year-old black locust on sandy sites along the Chaobai River in Beijing. Mechanism of harmonious interaction between the two species was observed in the view of the nutrient cycle of fine roots. Results showed that: (1) the fine root decomposition of Canadian poplar and black locust trees was different. Concentrations of N, Ca and Mg gradually increased and those of P and K gradually decreased in the fine roots of poplar during the period of decomposition. Concentrations of N, P and K gradually decreased in the fine roots of black locust during decomposition. The speed of nutrient decomposition in mixed fine roots of the two species fell between the speed of the two pure samples. (2) During decomposition, the annual return amount of N, K and Mg in fine roots of black locust was highest, followed by the mixed fine roots of the two species, and then the fine roots of poplar. (3) The increased return amount of N in mixed fine roots could improve the N nutrient condition of poplar trees. The return amount of P in poplar fine roots was greater than that of black locust, which could improve the P nutrient of black locust trees. The interaction of mutual supplements of N and P nutrient cycle of fine roots between these two species formed. Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2004, 4(4) (in Chinese)     

Long-term study of above- and below-ground biomass production in relation to nitrogen and carbon accumulation dynamics in a grey alder (Alnus incana (L.) Moench) plantation on former agricultural land

In the Northern and Baltic countries, grey alder is a prospective tree species for short-rotation forestry. Hence, knowledge about the functioning of such forest ecosystems is critical in order to manage them in a sustainable and environmentally sound way. The 17-year-long continuous time series study is conducted in a grey alder plantation growing on abandoned agricultural land. The results of above- and below-ground biomass and production of the 17-year-old stand are compared to the earlier published respective data from the same stand at the ages of 5 and 10 years. The objectives of the current study were to assess (1) above-ground biomass (AGB) and production; (2) below-ground biomass: coarse root biomass (CRB), fine root biomass (FRB) and fine root production (FRP); (3) carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) accumulation dynamics in grey alder stand growing on former arable land. The main results of the 17-year-old stand were as follows: AGB 120.8 t ha^?1; current annual increment of the stem mass 5.7 t ha year^?1; calculated CRB 22.3 t ha^?1; FRB 81 ± 10 g m^?2; nodule biomass 31 ± 19 g m^?2; fine root necromass 11 ± 2 g m^?2; FRP 53 g DM m^?2 year^?1; fine root turnover rate 0.54 year^?1; and fine root longevity 1.9 years. FRB was strongly correlated with the stand basal area and stem mass. Fine root efficiency was the highest at the age of 10 years; at the age of 17 years, it had slightly reduced. Grey alder stand significantly increased N and C_org content in topsoil. The role of fine roots for the sequestration of C is quite modest compared to leaf litter C flux.     

Discrepancy in fine root turnover estimates between diameter-based and branch-order-based approaches: a case study in two temperate tree species

Fine root turnover plays a key role in carbon(C) budgets and nutrients cycles in forest ecosystems.However,the difference between branch-order-based and diameter-based approaches in estimating fine root turnover is still unclear.We studied root biomass turnover based on multiplying root standing biomass by turnover rate(inverse of median root longevity) in two Chinese temperate tree species,Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr.and Larix gmelinii Rupr.The minirhizotron(MR) technique was used to estimate longevities for first and second order roots,and total roots(R total) apparent on the MR tube surface.The corresponding biomass for each root group was estimated by soil monolith.The difference in biomass turnover between R total and the sum of the first and second order roots was used to represent the discrepancy between diameter-and order-based approaches.First order roots had shorter life spans and higher biomass turnover rates than the second order roots in both species.Biomass turnover estimated by the order-based method for F.mandshurica and L.gmelinii were 155.4 g m-2 a-1 and 158.9 g m-2 a-1,respectively,in comparison with 99.5 g m-2 a-1 and 117.7 g m-2 a-1 estimated by the diameter-based method,indicating that the diameter-based approach underestimated biomass turnover.The most probable reason was that the order-based method enhanced separation of the heterogeneous root population into relatively homogenous root groups with varying turnover rates.We conclude that separating fine root pool into different branch orders can improve the accuracy of estimates for fine root turnover,as well as the understanding of the belowground C allocation and nutrient cycling at ecosystem level.     

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.     

Estimating the production and mortality of fine roots in a Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) plantation using a minirhizotron technique

Fine roots are a key component of forested ecosystems, but available information is still limited. This study examined the production and mortality of fine roots less than 1 mm in diameter in a Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) plantation located on the Kanto Plain in central Japan. We used a minirhizotron technique in combination with soil coring, and collected data for 1 year (May 2002–May 2003). Fine root production and mortality were determined from changes in the lengths of individual fine roots on minirhizotron tubes. Both fine root production and mortality rates were greater in the upper soil than in lower soil levels. Both rates were seasonal, with higher values in summer than in winter; this trend was more pronounced in upper soil levels. These results suggest that environmental conditions, such as temperature or soil properties, affect the production and mortality rates of fine roots. Fine root production and mortality occurred simultaneously, and their rates were similar, which may have led to unclear seasonal changes in fine root standing crop estimates. Soil coring indicated that the fine root biomass of this stand was about 120 g m⁻², of which 40% was from Japanese cedar. The estimated rates of dry matter production and mortality of total fine roots, including understory plants, were both approximately 300 g m⁻² year⁻¹.     

Fine roots branch orders of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Abies faxoniana</Emphasis> respond differentially to warming in a subalpine coniferous forest ecosystem

Root is an important plant organ and has high heterogeneity. Global warming could change root and affect belowground ecological processes. There is little information on how fine roots branch orders responds to global change. This study examined the growth, morphological and physiological responses of fine roots of a subalpine coniferous species to warming. We investigated biomass, average diameter, specific root length (SRL), triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) reducing capacity, carbon (C), total non-structural carbon (TNC) and fractions of the primal five branch order roots of Abies faxoniana in April, August, October and December. The decrease in total fine roots biomass after a growing season was significantly greater under warming treatment compared to control, suggesting that warming could accelerate the carbon input from root to soil, but the increment depended on tree species. Warming did not affect average diameter and SRL. Responses of biomass, TTC reducing capacity, C, TNC and fractions to warming significantly differed with root order and month. Significant warming effects were only observed in C and starch concentration of the first order and also TNC and soluble sugar concentration of the first three orders. The results indicated that the lower order roots (the first three orders) were more sensitive to warming, probably because they had more frequent, intense interactions with soil and low defense capability. Thus, global warming may dramatically alter root functions such as nutrients and water uptake as well as the cycle of C and nutrients at the whole subalpine coniferous forest ecosystem.     

Variations of fine root diameter with root order in Manchurian ash and Dahurian larch plantations

Fine root lifespan and turnover play an important role in carbon allocation and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. Fine roots are typically defined as less than 1 or 2 mm in diameter. However, when categorizing roots by this diameter size, the position of an individual root on the complex lateral branching pattern has often been ignored, and our knowledge about relationships between branching order and root function thus remains limited. More recently, studies on root survivals found that longevity was remarkably different in the same branching level due to diameter variations. The objectives of this study were: (1) To examine variations of fine root diameter from the first-to fifth-orders in Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr and Larix gmelinii Rupr roots; and (2) To reveal how the season, soil nutrient, and water availability affect root diameter in different branch order in two species. This study was conducted at Maoershan Forest Research Station (45°21′–45°25′N, 127°30′–127°34′E) owned by Northeast Forestry University in Harbin, northeast China. Both F. mandshurica and L. gmelinii were planted in 1986. In each plantation, fine roots of two species by sampling up to five fine root branch orders three times during the 2003 growing season from two soil depths (i.e., 0–10 and 10–20 cm) were obtained. The results showed that average diameters of fine roots were significantly different among the five branch orders. The first-order had the thinner roots and the fifth order had the thickest roots, the diameter increasing regularly with the ascending branch orders in both species. If the diameter of fine roots was defined as being smaller than 0.5 mm, the first three orders of F. mandshurica roots and the first two orders of L. gmelinii roots would be included in the fine root population. The diameter ranges of the fine roots from first-order to fifth-order were 0.15–0.58, 0.18–0.70, 0.26–1.05, 0.36–1.43, and 0.71–2.96 mm for F. mandshurica, and 0.17–0.76, 0.23–1.02, 0.26–1.10, 0.38–1.77, and 0.84–2.80 mm for L. gmelinii. The average coefficient of variation in first-order roots was less than 10%, second-and third-order was 10–20%, and fourth-and fifth-order was 20–30%. Thus, variation in root diameter also increased with the ascending root order. These results suggest that “fine roots”, which are traditionally defined as an arbitrary diameter class (i.e., <2 mm in diameter) may be too large a size class when compared with the finest roots. The finest roots have much shorter lifespan than larger diameter roots; however, the larger roots are still considered a component of the fine root system. Differences in the lifespan between root diameter and root order affect estimates of root turnover. Therefore, based on this study, it has been concluded that both diameter and branch order should be considered in the estimation of root lifespan and turnover. __________ Translated from Acta Phytoecologica Sinica, 2005, 29(6): 871–877 [译自: 植物生态学报]     

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。     

Individual-based fine root biomass and its functional relationship with leaf for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus tabuliformis</Emphasis> in northern China

Root biomass plays an essential role in carbon sequestration at both individual and ecosystem scales, yet few feasible methods for measuring root biomass of individual trees have been developed. We sampled 11 trees in a pure 20-year-old Pinus tabuliformis plantation to estimate total root, fine root and leaf biomass of individual trees using the nested regression method. The relationships between fine root biomass and surface area as well as leaf biomass and area were examined across tree sizes. Fine roots of P. tabuliformis were estimated to consume 40 % of the net primary production for turnover, and absorbed a total of 1364 g m^?2 year^?1 of major nutrients. A significant linear relationship was determined between roots and leaves in terms of both biomass and surface area. The findings added weight to the concept that the functional balance theory is applicable to even-aged mature trees of P. tabuliformis.     

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。     

杨树刺槐混交林细根养分动态研究

对两树种细根在北京市潮白河沿河沙地加拿大杨 (2 7a生 )刺槐 (2 2a生 )混交林中的分解情况进行了研究 ,从细根养分循环角度探索了两树种混交协调生长的机理。结果表明 :(1)加拿大杨和刺槐林木细根的分解特点不同 ,杨树细根在分解前期的N、Ca、Mg元素浓度逐渐升高 ,P、K元素浓度则逐渐降低。刺槐细根分解过程中N、P、K元素浓度逐渐降低 ,杨树刺槐混交林细根混合分解中各元素含量变化介于两树种细根单独分解之间 ;(2 )细根的N、K、Mg年归还量以刺槐纯根最大 ,两树种混根次之 ,杨树纯根最小 ;(3)混交林中N素归还量的增加有利于改善杨树的N素状况 ,杨树细根的P素归还量大于刺槐细根 ,有利于改善刺槐的P素营养 ,混交林杨树与刺槐在细根N、P养分方面形成协调互补的关系     

Response of nitrogen mineralization dynamics and biochemical properties to litter amendments to soils of a poplar plantation

Understanding the impact of plant litters on soil nitrogen(N) dynamics could facilitate development of management strategies that promote plantation ecosystem function.Our objective was to evaluate the effects of different litter types on N mineralization and availability,microbial biomass, and activities of L-asparaginase and odiphenol oxidase(o-DPO) in soils of a poplar(Populus deltoides) plantation through 24 weeks of incubation experiments.The tested litters included foliage(F), branch(B), or root(R) of poplar trees, and understory vegetation(U) or a mixture of F, B, and U(M).Litter amendments led to rapid N immobilization during the first 4 weeks of incubation, while net N mineralization was detected in all tested soils from 6 to 24 weeks of incubation, with zeroorder reaction rate constants(k) ranging from 7.7 to9.6 mg N released kg~(-1) soil wk~(-1).Moreover, litter addition led to increased microbial biomass carbon(C) 49–128% and increased MBC:MBN ratio by 5–92%,strengthened activities of L-asparaginase and o-DPO by14–74%; Up to about 37 kg N ha~(-1) net increase in mineralized N in litter added soils during 24 weeks of incubation suggests that adequate poplar and understory litter management could lead to reduced inputs while facilitate sustainable and economic viable plantation production.     

Root standing crop and chemistry after six years of soil warming in a temperate forest

Examining the responses of root standing crop (biomass and necromass) and chemistry to soil warming is crucial for understanding root dynamics and functioning in the face of global climate change. We assessed the standing crop, total nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) compounds in tree roots and soil net N mineralization over the growing season after 6 years of experimental soil warming in a temperate deciduous forest in 2008. Roots were sorted into four different categories: live and dead fine roots (≤1mm in diameter) and live and dead coarse roots (1-4 mm in diameter). Total root standing crop (live plus dead) in the top 10 cm of soil in the warmed area was 42.5% (378.4 vs. 658.5 g m(-2)) lower than in the control area, while live root standing crop in the warmed area was 62% lower than in the control area. Soil net N mineralization over the growing season increased by 79.4% in the warmed relative to the control area. Soil warming did not significantly change the concentrations of C and C compounds (sugar, starch, hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin) in the four root categories. However, total N concentration in the live fine roots in the warmed area was 10.5% (13.7 vs. 12.4 mg g(-1)) higher and C:N ratio was 8.6% (38.5 vs. 42.1) lower than in the control area. The increase in N concentration in the live fine roots could be attributed to the increase in soil N availability due to soil warming. Net N mineralization was negatively correlated with both live and dead fine roots in the mineral soil that is home to the majority of roots, suggesting that soil warming increases N mineralization, decreases fine root biomass and thus decreases C allocation belowground.