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Nitrogen addition enhanced water uptake by affecting fine root morphology and coarse root anatomy of Chinese pine seedlings

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Abstract

Background and aims

Global nitrogen (N) deposition can affect root morphology, anatomy and thus the water uptake by trees. The variation in uptake with the induced changes in root morphology and anatomy, however, is not clear.

Methods

We grew seedlings of Pinus tabuliformis for two years across an N gradient (0–12 g N m−2 y−1) and analysed the associated changes between the root hydraulic conductance (RHC) and the morphology and anatomy of different root orders.

Results

(1) The RHC increased with N addition and reached the peak at 9 g N m−2 y−1. (2) The number, length, biomass and mycorrhizal colonization rates of the fine roots (first two order roots) decreased with N addition. (3) The stele diameter and tracheid diameter of the coarse roots (third and higher root orders) increased with N addition. (4) Decreasing root quantity and increasing physiological activity (i.e. RHC and respiration rates) induced by N addition may be a trade-off between root morphology and physiology plastic.

Conclusions

The morphological, anatomical and physiological responses of the different root orders to N addition increased the water uptake, transport, and whole-seedling growth. These heterogeneous responses should be incorporated into models of root uptake and growth in forest ecosystems.

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Abbreviations

N:

Nitrogen

RHC:

Root hydraulic conductance

RSHC:

Root specific hydraulic conductance

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Dr. Miao Fang in Northwest A&F University for root anatomy measurement. This research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41371508, 41671513), the Key Technologies R&D Program (2015BAC01B03) and Key Projects of Chinese Academy of Sciences (KFZD-SW-306-2).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, 712100, China

    Guoliang Wang, Fang Liu & Sha Xue

  2. Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Science and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, 712100, China

    Guoliang Wang & Sha Xue

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  1. Guoliang Wang
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  2. Fang Liu
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  3. Sha Xue
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Correspondence to Guoliang Wang.

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Responsible Editor: Rafael S. Oliveira.

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Wang, G., Liu, F. & Xue, S. Nitrogen addition enhanced water uptake by affecting fine root morphology and coarse root anatomy of Chinese pine seedlings. Plant Soil 418, 177–189 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-017-3283-0

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