Variation and trade-offs in fine root functional traits of seedlings of different mycorrhizal types in mixed broadleaf-Korean pine forests
Aims Fine roots are important organs for absorbing and transporting nutrients during plant growth and development.Investigating the variation and trade-offs among functional traits of seedling fine roots of different mycorrhizal types is conducive to a more comprehensive understanding of their early survival strategies.Methods In this study,we analyzed the variation and trade-offs across different mycorrhizal types,root orders and root functional modules.In particular,we measured three morphological traits(specific root length(SRL),root tissue density(RTD),and root diameter(D)),and four chemical traits(total phosphorus(P)content,total carbon(C)content,total nitrogen(N)content,carbon nitrogen ratio(C:N)),in three arbuscular mycorrhiza(AM)and three ectomycorrhiza(EM)tree species seedlings in mixed broadleaf-Korean pine(Pinus koraiensis)forest in the Liangshui National Nature Reserve,Heilongjiang Province.Important findings The results showed that EM seedling fine roots exhibited higher RTD compared with AM seedlings,potentially due to the colonization patterns of AM fungi which increased root volumes and increased the absorptive capacity of limiting nutrients.Other traits did not differ significantly between the two types of mycorrhiza,with AM seedling roots aligning with a more resource-acquired strategy,in contrast to EM seedlings.As the root order increased,RTD and D of both mycorrhiza-association seedling roots increased significantly,while SRL decreased,indicating a functional shift from absorption to transportation.Concurrently,C content and C∶N of roots increased,while the N content of roots decreased with increasing root order.A notable trade-off was observed between morphological and chemical traits of fine roots,suggesting that changes in root functional modules with root order are accompanied by corresponding shifts in root traits.These findings support the root economics spectrum(RES),highlighting the complex interplay between root morphology,chemistry and ecological strategy.
fine rootfunctional traitmycorrhizal fungiseedlingroot functional module
NETL
NSTL
万方数据
