Fine root morphology of different branch orders of three dominant subalpine tree species in western Sichuan
Forest fine roots (diameter ＜ 2 mm) have large and complicated branch systems,which play an important role in nutrient cycling of forest ecosystem.Therefore,exploring root morphology of different tree species is helpful for understanding belowground processes of forest ecosystems.The fine roots of three dominant subalpine tree species (Abiesfaxoniana,Picea aspirate and Betula albosinensis) were collected in western Sichuan.Fine root branch order was classified according to Pregitzer's method.Fine root samples were scanned by Win-RHIZO system to analyze root morphology parameters,including diameter,length,specific root length (SRL) and specific root area (SRA).The results showed significant differences in root morphology among branch orders.From the 1st to the 5th order of each tree species,root diameter and length became ever greater but SRL and SRA smaller.Regardless of the root order,significant differences in morphology were also observed among species.The diameter ofA.faxoniana,P.aspirate and B.albosinensis ranged from 0.31 mm to 0.85 mm,from 0.29 mm to 0.65 mm and from 0.23 mm to 0.55 mm,respectively.The diameters of two conifers were significantly greater than that of B.albosinensis.Similar performance was observed in root length.On the contrary,the SRL and SRA ofB.albosinensis were obviously higher than those of other two coniferous species.Compared to higher root orders,lower root orders had stronger absorption capacity and lower construct cost.Additionally,compared to the roots of coniferous tree species,the roots of B.albosinensis had stronger absorption capacity.
NETL
NSTL
万方数据
维普
