The Study on Linking Root Morphology, Longevity and Function to Root Branch Order Made Progress

Roots are very sensitive to environmental changes, and have become a fundamental subject of study for the comprehensive understanding of carbon allocation patterns and processes, especially given the current background of global climate change. However, to date, most studies on this topic are from forest ecosystems, and quantitative information from other ecosystems, especially shrubs from sandy habitats, are still lacking.

Dr. Gang HUANG, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, investigated for three typical shrubs (Salix gordejevii Chang et Skv., Artemisia halodendron Turcz. ex Bess, and Caragana microphylla Lam.) 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.

The 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.

The result was published in the Plant and Soil, 2010, 336: 197–208. doi: 10.1007/s11104-010-0466-3.