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Distribution of cutin and suberin biomarkers under forest trees with different root systems

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Abstract

Background and aims

Differences in chemical composition of root compounds and root systems among tree species may affect organic matter (OM) distribution, source and composition in forest soils. The objective of this study was to elucidate the contribution of species specific cutin and suberin biomarkers as proxies for shoot- and root-derived organic carbon (OC) to soil OM at different depths with increasing distance to the stems of four different tree species.

Methods

The contribution of cutin- and suberin-derived lipids to OM in a Cutanic Alisol was analyzed with increasing soil depth and distance to the stems of Fagus sylvatica L., Picea abies (L.) Karst., Quercus robur L. and Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco. Cutin and suberin monomers of plants and soils were analyzed by alkaline hydrolysis and subsequent gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.

Results

The amount and distribution of suberin-derived lipids in soil clearly reflected the specific root system of the different tree species. The amount of cutin-derived lipids decreased strongly with soil depth, indicating that the input of leaf/needle material is restricted to the topsoil. In contrast to the suberin-derived lipids, the spatial pattern of cutin monomer contribution to soil OM did not depend on tree species.

Conclusions

Our results document the importance of tree species as a main factor controlling the composition and distribution of OM in forest soils. They reveal the impact of tree species on root-derived OM distribution and the necessity to distinguish among different zones when studying soil OM storage in forests.

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the invaluable help of G. Albert during sample preparation, pretreatment, hydrolysis, derivatization and GC analyses. We also want to thank the two anonymous reviewers for valuable comments on an earlier version of the manuscript. Funding for this study was provided by the German Science Foundation (DFG; Ko 1035/34-1).

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Author notes

  1. Sandra Spielvogel & Julian Zemke

    Present address: Institut für Integrierte Naturwissenschaften, Universität Koblenz-Landau, 56070, Koblenz, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lehrstuhl für Bodenkunde, Technische Universität München, Emil-Ramann-Strasse 2, 85354, Freising, Germany

    Sandra Spielvogel, Jörg Prietzel & Ingrid Kögel-Knabner

  2. Julius-von-Sachs-Institut für Biowissenschaften, Lehrstuhl für Botanik II, Universität Würzburg, Julius-von-Sachs-Platz 3, 97082, Würzburg, Germany

    Jana Leide & Michael Riedel

  3. Institute for Advanced Study, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstraße 2a, 85748, Garching, Germany

    Ingrid Kögel-Knabner

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  1. Sandra Spielvogel
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Correspondence to Sandra Spielvogel.

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Responsible Editor: Kees Jan van Groenigen.

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Spielvogel, S., Prietzel, J., Leide, J. et al. Distribution of cutin and suberin biomarkers under forest trees with different root systems. Plant Soil 381, 95–110 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-014-2103-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-014-2103-z

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