Abstract
The minirhizotron technique was used to study the temporal dynamics of fine roots (diameter ≤2 mm) over a twelve-month period in pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) and narrow-leaved ash (Fraxinus oxyphylla Bieb.) trees growing in clay soil. The experiment was conducted in an eight-year-old mixed hardwood plantation established in northern Italy's Po lowlands on former farm land. Minirhizotron tubes were placed in mono-specific patches of oak and of ash and monitored from May 2000 to May 2001. Tubes were observed weekly from spring to fall and every two weeks during winter. The collected data for both species showed that while cumulative root length density of production (RLDp) and mortality (RLDm), as well as the RLDp's vertical and diameter distribution, did not differ statistically between them (RLDp was 7.6±0.89 and 7.31±0.74, RLDm 4.74±1.10 and 2.77±0.60 mm cm−2 yr−1 ± Standard Error for oak and ash, respectively), the seasonal course of root production and mortality markedly differed. The oak trees displayed a nearly steady rate of root production from early spring regrowth to mid-autumn and the ash produced most of its fine roots over a shorter period, from March to late May. The rate of root mortality peaked during winter in oak and in ash was fairly constant throughout the experiment. The coarse fine roots (e.g., root 1.1–2.0 mm in diameter) in ash were preferentially produced in June and their frequency increased with soil depth and in oak were produced simultaneously and with the same vertical distribution of the smaller roots. Root median longevity (Lm) was slightly higher for ash than for oak and for summer than for fall and winter root cohorts; that in both species Lm was negatively related with root diameter confirms that roots smaller than 1.0 mm are highly dynamic. These findings may be relevant for a better understanding of the ecology of mixed pedunculate oak and narrow-leaved ash stands in clay soil.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anic I, Pernar N and Seletkovic Z 1999 Narrow-leaved ash (Fraxinus angustifolia) in the structure of floodplain forest of Croation Posavina. International Symposium on floodplain forest ecosystems in Europe, Smolenicw, Slovakia, 28 September–2 October 1998. Ekologia-Bratislava 18, 69–81.
Atkinson D 1991 Plant Root Growth an Ecological Perspective. Blackwell Sci. Publ., Oxford, UK. 478 pp.
Baker TT III, Conner W H, Lockaby B G, Stanturf J A and Burke M K 2001 Fine root productivity and dynamics on a forested floodplain in South Carolina. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 65, 545–556.
Bernetti G 1995 Selvicoltura speciale. UTET, Torino, IT. 415 pp.
Black K E, Harbron C G, Franklin M, Atkinson D and Hooker J E 1998 Differences in root longevity of some tree species. Tree Physiol. 18, 259–264.
Burke M K and Raynal D J 1994 Fine root growth phenology, production, and turnover in a northern hardwood forest ecosystem. Plant Soil 162, 135–146.
Burton A J, Pregitzer K S and Hendrick R L 2000 Relationships between fine root dynamics and nitrogen availability in Michigan northern hardwood forests. Oecologia 125, 389–399.
Coleman M D, Dickson R E and Isebrands J G 2000 Contrasting fine-root production, survival and soil CO2 efflux in pine and poplar plantations. Plant Soil 225, 129–139.
Côté B, Hendershot W H, Fyles L W, Roy A G, Bradley R, Biron P M and Courchesne F 1998 The phenology of fine root growth in a maple-dominated ecosystem: Relationships with some soil properties. Plant Soil 201, 59–69.
Cox T L, Harris W F, Asmus B S and Edwards N T 1978 The role of fine roots in biogeochemical cycles in eastern deciduous forest, NH. Pedobiologia 18, 264–271.
Eissenstat D M and Yani R D 1997 The ecology of root lifespan. Advances in Ecological Research 27, 1–60.
Eissenstat D M, Wells C E, Yani R D and Whitbeck JL 2000 Building roots in a changing environment: implications for root longevity. New Phytol. 147, 33–42.
Gellini R and Grossoni P 1997 Botanica forestale II Angiosperme. CEDAM, Padova, IT. 373 pp.
Gill R A and Jackson R B 2000 Global patterns of root turnover for terrestrial ecosystems. New Phytol. 147, 13–31.
Godreau V, Bornette G, Frochot B, Amoros C, Castella E, Oertli B, Chambaud F, Oberti D and Craney E 1999 Biodiversity in the floodplain of Saône: a global approach. Biodiversity and Conservation 8, 839–864.
Grime J P, Campbell B D, Machey M L and Crick J C 1991 Root plasticity, nitrogen capture and competitive ability. In Plant root growth an ecological prospective. Ed. Atkinson D. Brit. Ecol. Soc. 10, pp. 381–397. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford.
Hendrick R L and Pregitzer K S 1992a The demography of fine roots in a northern hardwood forest. Ecology 73, 1094–1104.
Hendrick R L and Pregitzer K S 1992b Spatial variation in tree root distribution and growth associated with minirhizotrons. Plant Soil 143, 283–288.
Hendrick R L and Pregitzer K S 1993a Patterns of fine root mortality in two sugar maple forest. Nature 361, 59–61.
Hendrick R L and Pregitzer K S 1993b The dynamics of fine root length, biomass, and nitrogen content in two hardwood ecosystems. Can. J. For. Res. 23, 2507–2520.
Hendrick R L and Pregitzer K S 1996 Temporal and depth related patterns of fine-root dynamics in northern hardwood forests. J. Ecol. 84, 167–176.
Jackson R B, Mooney H A and Schulze E D 1997 A global budget for fine root biomass, surface area, and nutrient contents. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 94, 7362–7366.
Joslin J D and Henderson G S 1987 Organic matter and nutrients associated with fine root turnover in a white oak stand. For. Sci. 33, 330–346.
Kätterer T, Fabião Madeira M, Ribeiro C and Steen E 1995 Fine-root dynamics, soil moisture and soil carbon contents in a Eucalyptus globulus plantation under different irrigation and fertilisation regimes. For. Ecol. Manage. 74, 1–12.
Kazda M, Salzer J and Reiter I 2000 Photosynthetic capacity in relation to nitrogen in the canopy of a Quercus robur, Fraxinus angustifolia and Tilia cordata flood plain forest. Tree Physiol. 20, 1029–1037.
King J S, Albaugh T J, Allen L H, Buford M, Strain B R and Dougherty P 2002 Below-ground carbon input to soil is controlled by nutrient availability and fine root dynamics in loblolly pine. New Phytol. 154, 389–398.
Lopez B, Sabate S, Gracia C and Dye P J 1998 Fine root dynamics in a Mediterranean forest: Effect of drought and stem density. Tree Physiol. 18, 601–606.
Minotta G 1987 The reforestation of abandoned farmland: a comparative study of different soil management techniques. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Bologna, IT, 122 pp.
Norby R J and Jackson R B 2000 Root dynamics and global change: Seeking an ecosystem perspective. New Phytol. 147, 3–12.
Ponti F and Baratozzi L 2000 Osservazioni sugli impianti di latifoglie di pregio nella pianura Emiliano Romagnola. IIo Congress SISEF ‘Applicazioni e Prospettive per la Ricerca Forestale Italiana’, Abstract book.
Pregitzer K S, King J S, Burton A J, Brown S E and Norby R 2000 Responses of tree fine roots to temperature. New Phytol. 147, 105–115.
Pregitzer K S, Kubiscke M E, Yu C K and Hendrick R L 1997 Relationship among root branch order, carbon, and nitrogen in four temperate species. Oecologia 111, 302–308.
Teskey R O and Hinkley T M 1981 Influence of temperature and water potential on root growth of white oak. Physiol. Plant. 52, 363–369.
Vogt K A, Grier C C, and Vogt D J 1986 Production, turnover, and nutrient dynamics of above-and belowground detritus of world forest. Adv. Ecol. Res. 15, 303–377.
Wells C E and Eissenstat D M 2001 Marked differences in survivorship among apple roots of different diameters. Ecology 83, 882–892.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ponti, F., Minotta, G., Cantoni, L. et al. Fine root dynamics of pedunculate oak and narrow-leaved ash in a mixed-hardwood plantation in clay soils. Plant and Soil 259, 39–49 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:PLSO.0000020949.61458.76
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:PLSO.0000020949.61458.76