Abstract
Separation of live and dead fine roots is a critical process in studies of fine root dynamics, but many studies use subjective visual cues during time-consuming hand sorting of root samples, or do not attempt separation at all. Here we describe a method for separating fine roots from mangrove forests using solutions of colloidal silica. The method removed 96±2% (standard error) and 90 ± 4% of the dead roots from root samples obtained from forests ofCeriops tagal andRhizophora stylosa, respectively. Live roots of both plant species were separated with an efficiency of 94 ± 2% when root samples contained greater than 1 g dry weight of live roots. Considerable variability was experienced with root samples containing less live roots. Separation efficiencies will need to be measured for roots from all different plant species.
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Robertson, A.I., Dixon, P. Separating live and dead fine roots using colloidal silica: an example from mangrove forests. Plant Soil 157, 151–154 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02390238
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02390238