RT Journal
T1 ROOT MORPHOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY IN MANCHURIAN ASH (FRAXINUS MANDSHURICA) AND LARCH (LARIX GMELINII RUPR.) ARE DEPENDENT ON SPECIES, ROOT ORDER AND COMPETITION
A1 Salahuddin
A1 M. Razaq
A1 A. Khan
A1 M. S. Haider
A1 Y. Lixue
JF Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences
JO JAPS
SN 1018-7081
VO 30
IS 1
SP 115
OP 125
YR 2020
FD 2020/01/02
DO DOI https://doi.org/10.36899/JAPS.2020.1.0014
AB <p>Interspecific variation in fine-root morphology and function is well documented. However, very less information is available regarding variation among monoculture and mixed-species plantations in temperate species. Thus, the present study used such plantations to investigate how belowground inter- and intraspecific competition influence major fine-root traits of larch (<em>Larix gmelinii</em>)and Manchurian ash (<em>Fraxinus mandshurica</em>). Overall root morphology, anatomy, and chemistry differed between species and root order (1&ndash;5). Specific root length, nitrogen concentration, and cortex: stele ratio was significantly higher in Manchurian ash, whereas root tissue density, stele diameter, and C/N ratio were significantly higher in larch. Additionally, when comparing the two species in a mixed plantation, root C concentration differed significantly between larch and Manchurian ash, but only for the second root order. However, root traits were largely similar across species within a given root order. In conclusion, critical root traits did not exhibit major intra- and interspecific differences, despite the ostensible presence of competition among tested plantations. Therefore, competition-induced root modification may not be a universal phenomenon in temperate trees.</p>
K1 Root morphology, Root order, N content, Root tissue density, Specific root length
PB Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum
LK https://thejaps.org.pk/AbstractView.aspx?mid=AG-18-0247