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Linking root morphology, longevity and function to root branch order: a case study in three shrubs

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Abstract

Root branching order supports a powerful approach to understanding complex root systems; however, how the pattern of root morphological characteristics, tissue carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) concentrations, and root lifespan are related to anatomical features of variable root orders for mature shrubs (∼19 years old) in sandy habitats is still unclear. In this study, these relationships were investigated for three typical shrubs in Horqin Sand Land, Northeast China. Root diameter, individual root length, tissue carbon concentration, C:N ratio, root lifespan, root cross-sectional area (CSA), stele CSA, proportion of stele in root CSA, mean xylem vessel CSA and the number of xylem vessels all increased with root order for the three shrubs, while specific root length and nitrogen concentration decreased with root order. The combined root biomass of the first two orders accounted for more than 63% of the first–fourth order root biomass for all the three shrubs. Proportion of stele to root CSA and number of xylem vessels of third-order root segments were significantly higher than that of the first two orders, and third-order roots showed secondary development with a continuous cork layer. All first-order and most second-order roots exhibited primary development, had an intact cortex, a lower proportion of stele to root CSA, and a smaller number of vessels. Our research suggests that the first two order roots of shrubs in sandy habitats are responsible mainly for absorption, and that they play a major role in root turnover and C and N flux in the soil organic matter pool due to their high proportion of biomass and N concentration, as well as their short lifespan.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to two anonymous reviewers for valuable comments on our manuscript. We also appreciate our colleagues and several other research workers at the NMDS for constructive criticism and help. This study was supported financially by the Chinese National Natural Science Foundation (2009CB421303-4, 40871004 and 30972422), and we also appreciate this financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fukang Station of Desert Ecology, Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology and Desert Environment, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China

    Gang Huang

  2. Naiman Desertification Research Station, Cold and Arid Regions and Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 730000, LanZhou, China

    Gang Huang, Xue-yong Zhao, Ha-lin Zhao, Ying-xin Huang & Xiao-an Zuo

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  1. Gang Huang
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  2. Xue-yong Zhao
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  3. Ha-lin Zhao
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  4. Ying-xin Huang
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  5. Xiao-an Zuo
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Correspondence to Gang Huang.

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Responsible Editor: Tibor Kalapos.

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Huang, G., Zhao, Xy., Zhao, Hl. et al. Linking root morphology, longevity and function to root branch order: a case study in three shrubs. Plant Soil 336, 197–208 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-010-0466-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-010-0466-3

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