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The effect of mechanical stimulation on root and shoot development of young containerised Quercus robur and Robinia pseudoacacia trees

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Abstract

Thigmomorphogenesis is a well-studied process in agricultural crops and coniferous trees. Nevertheless, the effects on both shoot and root characteristics for deciduous woody species received little attention so far. In this study, the objective was to understand the effect of aboveground flexing treatments on the development of structural, mechanical and physiological root and shoot characteristics for two deciduous tree species, Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and English oak (Quercus robur L.). Flexing treatments were performed using an electromechanical device with a rotating arm touching and bending the plants at regular intervals. A wide range of stem, shoot as well as root system characteristics was measured. The different flexing treatments altered above- and belowground plant development for both species, with strongest effects on Quercus and most significant differences between the control and the unidirectional flexing treatment. Some responses are in accordance with previous findings, such as stem eccentricity and reduced shoot elongation under unidirectional flexing, but others are renewing, such as the lower stomatal density and larger epidermal cell surface for the Quercus plants under variable flexing direction. Despite some common responses, both species frequently differed in the way they were affected. Belowground, Quercus plants under unidirectional flexing invested relatively more in their first order root and deeper second order roots, whereas Robinia plants allocated relatively more to fine root biomass and horizontal shallow roots. Both strategies potentially increased pull-out as well as overturning resistance in their own way. The presented findings are valid for young trees grown in small containers. Based on practical know-how and shortcomings experienced in the course of this experiment, methodological recommendations are formulated. We finally stress the complex variability in growth responses, especially for root systems, observed in different studies and related to dissimilarity in species, soil conditions, plant history or type of mechanical perturbation.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR) and the K. U. Leuven Research Fund. We thank Jean-Pierre Van Cuyck, Roland Reekmans, Dirk Bastiaensen, Kristof Mertens and Flip Bamelis for the technical and other supports in the experimental setup and the design of a suitable method for the mechanical tests. Special thanks also go to Lionel Dupuy for his advice related to the ArchiRoot software, and to the Forecoman colleagues, the editor and the anonymous reviewer for their constructive comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Forest, Nature and Landscape, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200E, Box 2411, 3001, Leuven, Belgium

    Bert Reubens, Barbara Pannemans & Bart Muys

  2. INRA, UMR 1212 Biodiversity Genes and Communities, 33610, Cestas, France

    Frédéric Danjon

  3. Division of Crop Bio-Engineering, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Willem de Croylaan 42, Box 2427, 3001, Leuven, Belgium

    Maurice De Proft

  4. Physical and Regional Geography Research Group, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200E, Box 2409, 3001, Leuven, Belgium

    Sarah De Baets & Jean Poesen

  5. Division of Mechatronics, Biostatistics and Sensors, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 30, Box 2456, 3001, Leuven, Belgium

    Josse De Baerdemaeker

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  1. Bert Reubens
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  2. Barbara Pannemans
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  3. Frédéric Danjon
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  6. Josse De Baerdemaeker
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  7. Jean Poesen
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  8. Bart Muys
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Correspondence to Bart Muys.

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Communicated by M. Zwieniecki.

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Reubens, B., Pannemans, B., Danjon, F. et al. The effect of mechanical stimulation on root and shoot development of young containerised Quercus robur and Robinia pseudoacacia trees. Trees 23, 1213–1228 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-009-0360-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-009-0360-x

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