Abstract
Aims
Root decomposition plays an important role in biogeochemical cycles in terrestrial ecosystems. However, there is still controversy on whether low-order (finer) or high-order (coarser) roots decay faster. Previous studies on root decomposition often used dried root samples, and the dehydrating process may influence the results. In this study, we aimed to examine the decomposability of low- and high-order roots and whether initial moisture status would influence their decomposition.
Methods
We carried out a one-year litterbag experiment for roots of a subtropical tree species Liquidambar formosana. Roots for the decomposition were divided into low- (1st and 2nd orders) and high-order (3rd and 4th orders) classes, and were dried or kept fresh before being buried into the soil.
Results
We found that low-order roots were decomposed slower (half the rate of high-order roots in terms of mass loss), and the content of soluble carbohydrates was the main influencing factor. We also found that drying prior to decomposition facilitated the decomposition of high-order roots during the early stage by 10%.
Conclusions
Our study suggests that litter carbon quality, particularly soluble carbohydrate content, is the major driver for root decomposition, and that previous studies using dried root samples might have overestimated short-term root decomposition.
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Acknowledgements
We thank Shangbin Bai and Juan Chen for their assistance in the field experiment. PW acknowledges financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31700453), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (KJQN201819) and Jiangsu Postdoctoral Research Funds (1701113C). PM acknowledges financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30830024).
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Wang, P., Liu, X., Mou, P. et al. Root order and initial moisture status influenced root decomposition in a subtropical tree species Liquidambar formosana. Plant Soil 443, 539–548 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-019-04248-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-019-04248-x