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Influence of wind loading on root system development and architecture in oak (Quercus robur L.) seedlings.

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Abstract

The effect of wind loading on seedlings of English oak (Quercus robur L.) was investigated. Instead of using a traditional wind tunnel, an innovative ventilation system was designed. This device was set up in the field and composed of a rotating arm supporting an electrical fan, which emitted an air current similar to that of wind loading. Oaks were sown from seed in a circle around the device. A block of control plants was situated nearby, and was not subjected to artificial wind loading. After 7 months, 16 plants from each treatment were excavated, and root architecture and morphological characteristics measured using a 3D digitiser. The resulting geometrical and topological data were then analysed using AMAPmod software. Results showed that total lateral root number and length in wind stressed plants were over two times greater than that in control trees. However, total lateral root volume did not differ significantly between treatments. In comparing lateral root characters between the two populations, it was found that mean root length, diameter and volume were similar between the two treatments. In trees subjected to wind loading, an accentuated asymmetry of root distribution and mean root length was found between the windward and leeward sides of the root system, with windward roots being significantly more numerous and longer than leeward roots. However, no differences were found when the two sectors perpendicular to the wind direction were compared. Mean tap root length was significantly higher in control samples compared to wind stressed plants, whilst mean diameter was greater in the latter. Wind loading appears to result in increased growth of lateral roots at the expense of the tap root. Development of the lateral root system may therefore ensure better anchorage of young trees subjected to wind loading under certain conditions.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a Italian-French governments’ grant for PhD students, a Marie Curie postgraduate training bursary, a SEB travel grant, and the Eco-slopes project (QLK5-2001-00289). Thanks are due to P. Taris and J-L. Daban-Haurou for installing the wind device

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie per l′Ambiente ed il Territorio, Università degli Studi del Molise, Via Mazzini 8, 86170, Isernia, Italy

    Elisabetta Tamasi, Bruno Lasserre & Donato Chiatante

  2. Laboratoire de Rhéologie du Bois de Bordeaux, Unit: CNRS/INRA/Université Bordeaux I, Domaine de l′Hermitage, 69, Route d’Arcachon, 33612, Cestas Cedex, France

    Elisabetta Tamasi, Alexia Stokes, Bruno Lasserre & Stéphane Berthier

  3. CIRAD Unité de Modélisation des Plantes, Laboratoire de Rhéologie du Bois de Bordeaux, Domaine de l′Hermitage, 69, Route d’Arcachon, 33612, Cestas Cedex, France

    Thierry Fourcaud

  4. INRA Ephyse, Recherches Forestières, 69, route d’Arcachon, 33612, Cestas Cedex, France

    Fréderic Danjon

  5. Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche ed Ambientali, Università degli Studi dell’Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, 22100, Como, Italy

    Donato Chiatante

  6. Forest Research, Northern Research Station Roslin, Midlothian, EH25, 9SY, UK

    Stéphane Berthier

Authors
  1. Elisabetta Tamasi
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  2. Alexia Stokes
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  3. Bruno Lasserre
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  4. Fréderic Danjon
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  5. Stéphane Berthier
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  6. Thierry Fourcaud
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  7. Donato Chiatante
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Correspondence to Bruno Lasserre.

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Tamasi, E., Stokes, A., Lasserre, B. et al. Influence of wind loading on root system development and architecture in oak (Quercus robur L.) seedlings.. Trees 19, 374–384 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-004-0396-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-004-0396-x

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