Effects of soil moisture on cotton root length density and yield under drip irrigation with plastic mulch in Aksu Oasis farmland

Effects of soil moisture on cotton root length density (total root length per unit soil volume) and yield under drip irrigation with plastic mulch were studied through field experiments. The results indicate that spatial distributions of root length density of cotton under various water treatments were basically similar. Horizontally, both root length densities of cotton in wide and narrow rows were similar, and higher than that between mulches. Vertically, root length density of cotton decreased with increasing soil depth. The distribution of root length density is different under different irrigation treatments. In conditions of over-irrigation, the root length density of cotton between mulches would increase. However, it would decrease in both the wide rows and narrow rows. The mean root length density of cotton increased with increasing irrigation water. Water stress caused the root length density to increase in lower soil layers. There is a significant correlation between root length density and yields of cotton at the flower-boll and wadding stages. The regression between irrigation amount and yield of cotton can be expressed as y = -0.0026x2+18.015x-24845 (R2 = 0.959). It showed that the irrigation volume of 3,464.4 m3/hm2 led to op-timal root length density. The yield of cotton was 6,360 .8 kg/hm2 under that amount of irrigation.

Root Length Density in Maize/Cowpea Intercropping under a Basin Tillage System in a Semi-Arid Area of Zimbabwe

A study to assess the effect of intercropping maize (Zea mays L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) within the same basin or outside the basin on root length density (RLD) was conducted at the International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) Matopos Research Station from December 2009 to April 2010. The experiment was laid out in a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four treatments replicated four times namely;sole maize, sole cowpea, maize-cowpea intercrop with cowpea and maize planted within the same basin and maize-cowpea intercrop with cowpea planted 20 cm outside the maize basin. There was significant difference (P < 0.001) in RLD, grain yield and stover yield. Maize-cowpea intercropped within the same basin achieved higher RLD, grain yield and stover yield than cowpea that was intercropped outside the basin and the sole crops. The land equivalent ratio (LER) in both intercrop designs showed that intercropping had better grain yield performance when compared to sole cropping. It can be concluded that intercropping maize and cowpeas within the same basin can result in an environment around the crop achieving higher RLD which translates to better grain yield compared to the sole cropping and intercropping cowpeas outside the basin.

Root length density distribution and associated soil water dynamics for tomato plants under furrow irrigation in a solar greenhouse

Furrow irrigation is a traditional widely-used irrigation method in the world. Understanding the dynamics of soil water distribution is essential to developing effective furrow irrigation strategies, especially in water-limited regions. The objectives of this study are to analyze root length density distribution and to explore soil water dynamics by simulating soil water content using a HYDRUS-2D model with consideration of root water uptake for furrow irrigated tomato plants in a solar greenhouse in Northwest China. Soil water contents were also in-situ observed by the ECH_2O sensors from 4 June to 19 June and from 21 June to 4 July, 2012. Results showed that the root length density of tomato plants was concentrated in the 0–50 cm soil layers, and radiated 0–18 cm toward the furrow and 0–30 cm along the bed axis. Soil water content values simulated by the HYDRUS-2D model agreed well with those observed by the ECH_2O sensors, with regression coefficient of 0.988, coefficient of determination of 0.89, and index of agreement of 0.97. The HYDRUS-2D model with the calibrated parameters was then applied to explore the optimal irrigation scheduling. Infrequent irrigation with a large amount of water for each irrigation event could result in 10%–18% of the irrigation water losses. Thus we recommend high irrigation frequency with a low amount of water for each irrigation event in greenhouses for arid region. The maximum high irrigation amount and the suitable irrigation interval required to avoid plant water stress and drainage water were 34 mm and 6 days, respectively, for given daily average transpiration rate of 4.0 mm/d. To sum up, the HYDRUS-2D model with consideration of root water uptake can be used to improve irrigation scheduling for furrow irrigated tomato plants in greenhouses in arid regions.

Characterization of alpine meadow surface crack and its correlation with root-soil properties

Quantifying surface cracks in alpine meadows is a prerequisite and a key aspect in the study of grassland crack development.Crack characterization indices are crucial for the quantitative characterization of complex cracks,serving as vital factors in assessing the degree of cracking and the development morphology.So far,research on evaluating the degree of grassland degradation through crack characterization indices is rare,especially the quantitative analysis of the development of surface cracks in alpine meadows is relatively scarce.Therefore,based on the phenomenon of surface cracking during the degradation of alpine meadows in some regions of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,we selected the alpine meadow in the Huangcheng Mongolian Township,Menyuan Hui Autonomous County,Qinghai Province,China as the study area,used unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)sensing technology to acquire low-altitude images of alpine meadow surface cracks at different degrees of degradation(light,medium,and heavy degradation),and analyzed the representative metrics characterizing the degree of crack development by interpreting the crack length,length density,branch angle,and burrow(rat hole)distribution density and combining them with in situ crack width and depth measurements.Finally,the correlations between the crack characterization indices and the soil and root parameters of sample plots at different degrees of degradation in the study area were analyzed using the grey relation analysis.The results revealed that with the increase of degradation,the physical and chemical properties of soil and the mechanical properties of root-soil composite changed significantly,the vegetation coverage reduced,and the root system aggregated in the surface layer of alpine meadow.As the degree of degradation increased,the fracture morphology developed from"linear"to"dendritic",and eventually to a complex and irregular"polygonal"pattern.The crack length,width,depth,and length density were identified as the crack characterization indices via analysis of variance.The results of grey relation analysis also revealed that the crack length,width,depth,and length density were all highly correlated with root length density,and as the degradation of alpine meadows intensified,the underground biomass increased dramatically,forming a dense layer of grass felt,which has a significant impact on the formation and expansion of cracks.

Root Growth of the Annual Tillering Grass Panicum miliaceum in Heterogeneous Nutrient Environments

To study growth responses of the roots of Panicum miliaceum L. to heterogeneous supply of nutrients. The authors analyzed the effects of the nutrient levels in both original patches (O) and destination patches (D) on the root growth of P. miliaceum when its roots were allowed to extend from original patch into destination patch. When the nutrient levels in the original patches were low, coarse root biomass ratio (coarse root biomass in the D/total coarse root biomass), coarse root length ratio (coarse root length in the D/total coarse root length), coarse root surface area ratio (coarse root surface area in the D/total coarse root surface area) and fine root length ratio (fine root length in the D/total fine root length) were greater in the destination patches with lower nutrient levels than in the destination patches with higher nutrient levels, while fine root length, fine root length density, fine root surface index, and fine root surface area density were smaller in the former than in the latter. When the nutrient levels in the original patches were high, fine root length, fine root length density, fine root surface area index and fine root surface density were greater in the destination patches with lower nutrient levels than in the destination patches with higher nutrient levels, coarse roots did not respond to the nutrient levels in the destination patches significantly. When the roots extended from the original patches with the same nutrient level into the destination patches with contrasting nutrient levels, fine root biomass and its percentage allocation did not respond to the nutrient levels in the destination patches significantly, whereas both root length and root surface area did. This indicates that the fine roots of P. miliaceum responded to difference in nutrient supply by plasticity in their length and surface area, rather than in their root biomass.

Effects of plant roots on soil preferential pathways and soil matrix in forest ecosystems

To characterize effects of plant roots on preferential flow（PF）,we measured root length density（RLD）and root biomass（RB） in Jiufeng National Forest Park,Beijing,China.Comparisons were made for RLD and RB between soil preferential pathways and soil matrices.RLD and RB declined with the increasing soil depth（0–10,10–20,20–30,30–40,40–50,50–60 cm） in all experimental plots.RLD was greater in soil preferential pathways than in the surrounding soil matrix and was 69.5,75.0 and72.2 % for plant roots of diameter（d） ／1,1 ／ d ／ 3 and3 ／ d ／ 5 mm,respectively.Fine root systems had the most pivotal influence on soil preferential flow in this forest ecosystem.In all experimental plots,RB content was the sum of RB from soil preferential pathways and the soil matrix in each soil depth.With respect to 6 soil depth gradient（0–10,10–20,20–30,30–40,40–50,50–60 cm） in each plot,the number of soil depth gradient that RB content was greater in soil preferential pathways than in the soil matrix was characterized,and the proportion was68.2 % in all plots.

Maize-legume intercropping promote N uptake through changing the root spatial distribution,legume nodulation capacity,and soil N availability

Legume cultivars affect N uptake,component crop growth,and soil physical and chemical characteristics in maize-legume intercropping systems.However,how belowground interactions mediate root growth,N fixation,and nodulation of different legumes to affect N uptake is still unclear.Hence,a two-year experiment was conducted with five planting patterns,i.e.,maize-soybean strip intercropping(IMS),maize-peanut strip intercropping(IMP),and corresponding monocultures(monoculture maize(MM),monoculture soybean(MS),and monoculture peanut(MP)),and two N application rates,i.e.,no N fertilizer(N-)and conventional N fertilizer(N+),to examine relationships between N uptake and root distribution of crops,legume nodulation and soil N availability.Results showed that the averaged N uptake per unit area of intercrops was significantly lower than the corresponding monocultures.Compared with the monoculture system,the N uptake of the intercropping systems increased by 31.7-45.4%in IMS and by 7.4-12.2%in IMP,respectively.The N uptake per plant of intercropped maize and soybean significantly increased by 61.6 and 31.8%,and that of intercropped peanuts significantly decreased by 46.6%compared with the corresponding monocultures.Maize and soybean showed asymmetrical distribution of roots in strip intercropping systems.The root length density(RLD)and root surface area density(RSAD)of intercropped maize and soybean were significantly greater than that of the corresponding monocultures.The roots of intercropped peanuts were confined,which resulted in decreased RLD and RSAD compared with the monoculture.The nodule number and nodule fresh weight of soybean were significantly greater in IMS than in MS,and those of peanut were significantly lower in IMP than in MP.The soil protease,urease,and nitrate reductase activities of maize and soybean were significantly greater in IMS and IMP than in the corresponding monoculture,while the enzyme activities of peanut were significantly lower in IMP than in MP.The soil available N of maize and soybean was significantly greater increased in IMS and IMP than in the corresponding monocultures,while that of IMP was significantly lower than in MP.In summary,the IMS system was more beneficial to N uptake than the IMP system.The intercropping of maize and legumes can promote the N uptake of maize,thus reducing the need for N application and improving agricultural sustainability.

Soil nutrients in relation to vertical roots distribution in the riparian zone of Three Gorges Reservoir,China

Since the impoundment of the Three Gorges Reservoir(TGR), the riparian zone has been subjected to numerous environmental changes. This study was conducted to recognize the distribution of grass roots and its impacts on soil nutrients in the water level fluctuation zone of TGR. Roots of four predominant herbaceous plants in the study area, specifically, Cynodon dactylon, Hemarthria altissima, Hemarthria compressa, and Paspalum paspaloides, and their corresponding relation with soil nutrient contents were investigated. Root surface area density was determined with Win RHIZO, and the relationships of root distribution with soil depths and soil nutrient contents were studied. The results indicates that most roots are distributed in the top soil layer of 0-10 cm. Estimated root surface area density for the selected grass species ranges from 0.16 to 13.44 cm^2/cm^3, and decreases exponentially with an increase in soil depth. Soil organic matter and total nitrogen contents are significantly lower on bare control area than the corresponding values on the grasslands. Total nutrient contents on grasslands of C. dactylon and H. compressa are higher than those of other grass areas. Root length density and root surface area density are significantly correlated with soil organic matter and total nitrogen content for the four grasslands. The present results suggests that plant roots have significant effects on the distribution of soil nutrients in soil profiles in the riparian zone along the TGR. Nevertheless, additional investigations are needed to reveal the specific interactions between plant roots distribution, soil nutrients and water level fluctuations.

Distribution and Quantity of Root Systems of Field-Grown Erianthus and Napier Grass

Cellulosic bioethanol produced from non-edible plants reduces potential food-fuel competition and, as such, is receiving increasing attention. In the raw material production of cellulosic bioethanol, the aboveground biomass of plants is entirely harvested;consequently, the plant roots represent the major source of organic matter incorporated into the soil. We selected Erianthus and Napier grass as the raw materials for cultivation in Asia. However, information about whether these 2 species provide sufficient root volume to sustain soil fertility is limited. Therefore, we examined the spatial distribution of the roots of these 2 plants, and quantified root mass and length. Erianthus and Napier grass were either grown in fields or greenhouses in Tokyo (Japan) and Lampung (Indonesia), and then their roots were exposed from adjacent soil profiles. Both species developed large, deep roots, penetrating 2.0-2.6 m deep into the soil. Root depth indexes showed that the roots of both species penetrated much deeper into the soil compared to monocot crop species, being more comparable to dicot species. Erianthus developed a root mass and length of 384-850 g·m-2 and 28.8-35.8 km·m-2, while the values for Napier grass were 183-448 g·m-2 and 15.6-43.6 km·m-2, respectively. These values exceeded the maximum values previously recorded for common crop species. Our study confirmed that Erianthus and Napier grass develop deep root systems, with substantially large biomass;hence, we suggest that both plants supply root biomass in large quantities, representing possible major sources of soil organic matter.

Roots and Nutrient Distribution under Drip Irrigation and Yield of Faba Bean and Onion

Drip irrigation proved to efficiently provide irrigation water and nutrients to the roots of plants, while maintaining high yield production. This research was established to study the root and nutrient distribution under drip irrigation. Faba bean and onion plants were cultivated in the experimental farm of the Faculty of Agriculture of Suez Canal University in Ismailia city with the application of normal fertilizers to soil. The data showed that soil moisture content in the soil planted with faba bean increased with the horizontal distance between drippers, contrariwise moisture content decreased with horizontal distance with the soil planted with onion. The data showed the vertical distribution of root length, root length density and specific root length of faba bean and onion decreased with increasing soil depth. The data showed that ammonium and nitrate pattern at the soil planted with the both plants increased between drippers and laterals. The peak concentration was recorded 35 mg/kg at 60 - 80 cm soil depth for faba bean and onion, indicating that the NO3-N leaching was low by drip irrigation. Available phosphorus was higher at the surface layer than the subsurface layer at the soil planted with faba bean and onion. Available potassium tended to move both horizontally and downward under drip irrigation.

岷江上游干旱河谷地区油松和岷江柏细根生物量和根长密度

了解岷江上游干旱河谷地区12年生油松(Pinus tabulaeformis)和岷江柏(Cupressus chengiana)人工林细根(直径≤2 mm)生物量和根长密度在土层中的垂直分布状况,分析不同土层中细根系统的碳分配策略,为岷江上游干旱河谷地区植被恢复提供理论依据。以岷江上游干旱河谷地区的油松和岷江柏人工林为研究对象,采用土钻法进行取样,测定2种林分不同土层深度(h)(0 cm<h≤15 cm和15 cm<h≤30 cm)中吸收根(1~3级)和运输根(≥4级的细根)生物量和根长密度,以及吸收根占总细根生物量和根长密度比例。结果显示:油松和岷江柏吸收根生物量和根长密度在0 cm<h≤15 cm土层均显著高于15 cm<h≤30 cm土层,而运输根生物量和根长密度在土层间差异均不显著;油松和岷江柏吸收根占总细根生物量和根长密度比例在0 cm<h≤15 cm土层均显著高于15 cm<h≤30 cm土层(P<0.05);岷江柏吸收根占总细根生物量和根长密度比例在2个土层中均显著高于油松(P<0.05)。研究结果表明,在养分有效性最高的土壤表层,油松和岷江柏细根系统内将更多的碳分配到吸收根。

降雨集流渗灌条件下红梅杏根系分布研究

为了明确降雨集流渗灌技术在宁南山区红梅杏种植中解决缺水问题的实际效果,以5年生红梅杏果树为研究对象,设置自然条件(NAT)和覆膜安装渗灌器(RCII)两种处理,采用分层分段挖掘法挖掘根系,并对比分析根长密度分布。结果表明:通过降雨集流渗灌技术所集蓄的水量可以促进红梅杏根系更好的生长,解决缺水问题。在RCII条件下,在地表以下0~100 cm内,根长密度随深度的增加而减少。此外,在RCII条件下,沿行距方向和45°方向的根长密度的对比,证明了渗灌器集流对根系进行水分补充的有效性。通过对行距、株距、深度、根长密度进行偏相关分析和多独立样本非参数检验,发现行距(安装渗灌器)、株距(未安装渗灌器)对根长密度在水平方向的分布并未产生明显区别(显著性P>0.05);地下深度60~80 cm是影响根长密度分布的关键区间。综上,降雨集流渗灌技术对解决宁南山区红梅杏旱地种植过程中的缺水问题具有积极作用,具有较好的推广前景。

不同草本植物根系对土壤渗透性的影响

[目的]揭示当地排土场不同草本植物根系对土壤渗透性的影响,阐明预测草本植物根系提升土壤渗透性的最优指标,并得出草本植物根系提升土壤渗透性的最佳径级,为排土场生态修复植物选择提供重要依据。[方法]以海州露天矿排土场为研究地点,以轴根型紫花地丁、根蘖型苦荬菜和根茎型水麦冬为研究对象,采用图片像素换算法量化3种根系在不同土层深度范围内的根系分布特征;并结合渗透试验获取3种草本植物原状根土复合体的渗透参数,进而探究了根土复合体根系分布参数与渗透参数的关系。[结果]3种草本植物均能提升土壤的渗透性能,轴根型、根茎型和根蘖型根土复合体的初始入渗率、稳渗率、平均渗透速率、渗透总量相较于素土分别提升82.23%~254.99%,85.59%~307.63%,72.02%~325.91%,62.93%~246.98%。3种草本植物根系的根长密度和根表面积密度与根土复合体的渗透参数均呈现线性相关,根表面积密度的相关性强于根长密度。3种根系对土壤渗透性的增强作用主要归功于0.5 mm<D≤1.5 mm径级,它们均存在提升土壤渗透性的最佳径级。[结论]草本植物根系能够提升土壤渗透性,根表面积密度是最佳预测指标,且不同根系均存在最佳径级。

春季有限灌水对海河平原冬小麦根系生长及籽粒产量的影响

旨为明确海河平原春季限水灌溉对冬小麦根系生长及籽粒产量的影响,对减少灌溉用水、提高水分利用效率具有重要的意义。以石麦22为供试材料,设置传统春季2次灌溉(W2)、春季1次灌溉(W1)和春季不灌溉(W0)3个灌水次数处理,其中W1基于春季3,4,5,6叶龄(3L、4L、5L、6L)设置4个单次灌溉时间处理。结果表明,与W2相比,W0和W1产量分别降低54.6%,24.4%,W1在4L灌溉产量最高,产量构成降低效应不显著。限水灌溉降低了冬小麦总根质量密度和根长密度,在开花期W1总根质量密度显著降低17.2%,W0总根质量密度、根长密度分别显著降低47.5%,35.1%。并且W1条件下,4L的根总根质量密度和根长密度最大。根系的垂直分布显示,减少灌溉次数增加了根系在40 cm以下土层的分布,但W1随着灌溉时间的推迟,深层土壤的根系分布减少,根系活力增加。其中,在开花期,4L在120~160 cm土层、160~200 cm土层、200~240 cm土层比6L分别显著高出28.8%,14.2%,36.5%。限水灌溉条件下根系特征和产量的相关性和通径分析表明,拔节-开花期总根质量密度和根长密度对产量有正效应,3L和4L处理开花期总根长密度对产量的直接贡献最大。总体来讲,4L处理在拔节-开花期的根系总量较高,并且增加了40~240 cm深层根系分布和根系活力,穗数和穗粒数较高,有利于缓解限水灌溉导致的冬小麦产量的降低,可作为海河平原冬小麦限水灌溉有效方式。

Seasonal dynamics of fine root biomass, root length density, specific root length, and soil resource availability in a Larix gmelinii plantation

Fine root turnover is a major pathway for carbon and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems and is most likely sensitive to many global change factors.Despite the importance of fine root turnover in plant C allocation and nutrient cycling dynamics and the tremendous research efforts in the past,our understanding of it remains limited.This is because the dynamics processes associated with soil resources availability are still poorly understood.Soil moisture,temperature,and available nitrogen are the most important soil characteristics that impact fine root growth and mortality at both the individual root branch and at the ecosystem level.In temperate forest ecosystems,seasonal changes of soil resource availability will alter the pattern of carbon allocation to belowground.Therefore,fine root biomass,root length density(RLD)and specific root length(SRL)vary during the growing season.Studying seasonal changes of fine root biomass,RLD,and SRL associated with soil resource availability will help us understand the mechanistic controls of carbon to fine root longevity and turnover.The objective of this study was to understand whether seasonal variations of fine root biomass,RLD and SRL were associated with soil resource availability,such as moisture,temperature,and nitrogen,and to understand how these soil components impact fine root dynamics in Larix gmelinii plantation.We used a soil coring method to obtain fine root samples(≤2 mm in diameter)every month from May to October in 2002 from a 17-year-old L.gmelinii plantation in Maoershan Experiment Station,Northeast Forestry University,China.Seventy-two soil cores(inside diameter 60 mm;depth intervals:0-10 cm,10-20 cm,20-30 cm)were sampled randomly from three replicates 25 m×30 m plots to estimate fine root biomass(live and dead),and calculate RLD and SRL.Soil moisture,temperature,and nitrogen(ammonia and nitrates)at three depth intervals were also analyzed in these plots.Results showed that the average standing fine root biomass(live and dead)was 189.1 g·m^(-2)·a^(-1),50%(95.4 g·m^(-2)·a^(-1))in the surface soil layer(0-10 cm),33%(61.5 g·m^(-2)·a^(-1)),17%(32.2 g·m^(-2)·a^(-1))in the middle(10-20 cm)and deep layer(20-30cm),respectively.Live and dead fine root biomass was the highest from May to July and in September,but lower in August and October.The live fine root biomass decreased and dead biomass increased during the growing season.Mean RLD(7,411.56 m·m^(-3)·a^(-1))and SRL(10.83 m·g^(-1)·a^(-1))in the surface layer were higher than RLD(1474.68 m·m^(-3)·a^(-1))and SRL(8.56 m·g^(-1)·a^(-1))in the deep soil layer.RLD and SRL in May were the highest(10621.45 m·m^(-3) and 14.83m·g^(-1))compared with those in the other months,and RLD was the lowest in September(2198.20 m·m^(-3))and SRL in October(3.77 m·g^(-1)).Seasonal dynamics of fine root biomass,RLD,and SRL showed a close relationship with changes in soil moisture,temperature,and nitrogen availability.To a lesser extent,the temperature could be determined by regression analysis.Fine roots in the upper soil layer have a function of absorbing moisture and nutrients,while the main function of deeper soil may be moisture uptake rather than nutrient acquisition.Therefore,carbon allocation to roots in the upper soil layer and deeper soil layer was different.Multiple regression analysis showed that variation in soil resource availability could explain 71-73%of the seasonal variation of RLD and SRL and 58%of the variation in fine root biomass.These results suggested a greater metabolic activity of fine roots living in soil with higher resource availability,which resulted in an increased allocation of carbohydrate to these roots,but a lower allocation of carbohydrate to those in soil with lower resource availability.

不同森林类型根系分布与土壤性质的关系

在红壤丘陵区选取8种典型森林类型,对不同土层深度、不同径级的根长密度分布特征、根长分维数,以及根系特征与土壤容重、有机碳、全氮的关系进行了研究。结果表明:马尾松低效林根长密度最小,杉木低效林和湿地松林较大,表层土壤根长密度与灌草覆盖度显著相关(r=0.793,P<0.05)。各种森林类型的根长密度随着土壤深度的增加均表现为递减规律,但随深度的增加,不同森林类型的差异逐步缩小,且植物种类及生长状况对根长密度分布的影响越来越小。在相同的土层中,根长密度随径级的变化并不一致,马尾松低效林0<L≤0.2 mm径级根长密度最大,其他类型各土层均表现为0.2<L≤0.5 mm径级根长密度最大的偏峰曲线特征。各径级根长密度随土层加深也表现为递减趋势,根系径级越大,表层与底层的根长密度差异越明显。根长密度与容重呈显著负相关,与有机碳、全氮呈极显著正相关,说明根长密度越大,既有利于改良土壤结构性状,也有利于丰富土壤有机碳和全氮含量;从不同径级来看,径级1—2 mm根系对改良土壤结构和增加土壤有机碳、全氮含量作用最为显著,径级≤1.0 mm的根系对土壤性状改良作用不明显。各森林类型的根长分维数在2.0973—2.6063之间,分维数越大,根系长度更集中分布于0—0.2 mm径级内,根长分维数反映了不同径级范围根系长度的组成状况。

水曲柳人工林细根季节动态及其影响因素

2002年5—10月,采用连续钻取土芯法对帽儿山实验林场的水曲柳人工林细根(直径<1mm)生物量、比根长(SRL)和根长密度(RLD)的季节动态,以及它们与土壤N的有效性、土壤10cm深处月均温度和含水量的关系进行研究。结果表明:水曲柳细根生物量在春季和秋季分别具有1个明显的高峰,但比根长和根长密度只有1个高峰。在春季和夏季,比根长和根长密度较高,显示细根直径较小,而秋季,这2个参数显著下降,表明细根直径次生增厚或组织密度增加。细根的季节变化与土壤N的有效性、土壤温度和土壤含水量有重要关系。其中细根生物量与土壤铵态氮含量显著相关;硝态氮含量、10cm深处土壤的温度和土壤含水量与细根的生物量、比根长和根长密度的季节变化正相关,但均不显著(P>0·05)。4种因子的综合作用对水曲柳细根各参数的影响均达到了显著水平。不同季节细根生物量、比根长和根长密度的变化,显示出细根在生长季不同时期具有不同的生理生态功能。

水曲柳根系生物量、比根长和根长密度的分布格局

采用连续钻取土芯法在生长季内对东北林业大学帽儿山实验林场17年生水曲柳人工林根系取样，研究水曲柳不同直径根系现存生物量、比根长和根长密度及垂直分布状况．结果表明。水曲柳人工林根系总生物量为1637．6g·m^-2，其中活根生物量占85％，死根占15％．在活根生物量当中，粗根（直径5～30mm）占的比例最高（69．95％），其次为活细根（直径〈1mm，13．53％），小根（1～2mm）和中等直径的根（2～5mm）比例较小（分别为7．21％和9．31％）．直径〈1mm活细根的比根长为32．20m·g^-1。直径5～30mm粗根的比根长为0．08m·g^-1．单位面积上活根的总长度为6602．54m·m^-2，其中直径〈1mm的细根占92．43％，其它直径等级则不到活根总长度的8％．直径〈1mm的细根生物量与根长密度具显著线性关系（R^2=0．923），但与比根长无显著相关关系（R^2=0．134）．

漓江水陆交错带典型灌木群落根系分布与土壤养分的关系

在漓江流域水陆交错带选取一叶萩、细叶水团花、枫杨3种典型灌木群落,对不同土层深度的根长密度,以及根长密度与土壤有机质、全氮、有效磷的相关关系进行了研究,旨在为漓江流域生态修复过程中灌木植被恢复、主要灌木植被配置、快速绿化材料选取等提供科学依据。结果表明:(1)漓江水陆交错带典型灌木群落各土层根长密度差异性显著,分布规律均为:枫杨>细叶水团花>一叶萩。0—10 cm到40—60 cm土层,各灌木群落根长密度均减小,但不同灌木群落根长密度的差异程度逐渐缩小,表明地形、地表植物类型及生长状况对根长密度分布的影响也随土层深度的增加而逐渐减小。(2)枫杨(25.10g/kg)灌木群落底层腐殖质层厚,有机质含量最高,分别是细叶水团花、一叶萩的1.24、1.87倍。各灌木群落全氮含量从大到小依次是枫杨、细叶水团花、一叶萩,其值分别为:3.23、2.41、1.46 g/kg。土壤有效磷分布规律为一叶萩(11.56 mg/kg)>细叶水团花(5.37 mg/kg)>枫杨(3.99 mg/kg);一叶萩灌木群落有效磷含量远远大于枫杨和细叶水团花,原因是漓江水长期受人为洗漱影响,导致受江水干扰大的一叶萩灌木群落有效磷含量高。(3)根长密度与有机质、全氮含量呈正相关,与有效磷含量呈负相关,说明适量增加土壤有机质、全氮含量,减少土壤有效磷,有利于土壤根系的生长。根长密度与0<L≤1 mm径级的根系所占比例呈极显著正相关,与1<L≤2 mm径级的根系所占比例呈显著正相关,表明根系细根越多,根长密度越大。

不同护坡草本植物的根系分布特征及其对土壤抗剪强度的影响

为明确用于三峡库区植被构建的边坡植物物种根系特征与土壤抗剪强度之间的关系,该文以裸地为对照,应用WinRHIZO(Pro.2004c)根系分析系统对香根草(Vetiveria zizanioides(Lin.)Nash)、百喜草(Paspalum notatum Flugge)、狗牙根(Cynodon dactylon(L) Pers.)和紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativaL.)4种护坡草本的根系特征进行定量分析。研究发现:香根草的根长密度和根表面积密度显著大于其他草本;各草本类型的根长密度、根表面积密度及根重密度均随着土壤深度的增加递减,但随深度的增加,不同草本类型的差异逐步缩小;不同草本类型土壤内摩擦角φ和粘聚力c大小均为:香根草>百喜草>紫花苜蓿>狗牙根>裸地,且随土层深度的增加而降低;随着根长密度、根表面积密度的增大,土壤内摩擦角φ呈显著的对数增长,土壤粘聚力c呈显著的线性增长,且与直径D≤5mm不同径级的根系特征之间存在明显的相关性。结果表明:相对于裸地而言,4种草本均能显著增强土壤内摩擦角φ和粘聚力c,且根系对土壤内摩擦角φ的提高程度大于土壤粘聚力c;根长密度和根表面积密度,尤其是直径D≤5mm径级的根长密度和根表面积密度能很好的表征土壤的抗剪强度,可作为评估土壤抗剪强度的重要参数。