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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2014, Vol. 50 ›› Issue (7): 157-163.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.20140722

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Fine Root Biomass and Morphology of Alnus formosana in Silvopasture Systems

Wei Peng1, Fan Chuan1, Ling Yinhua1, Li Xianwei1,2, Liu Yunke1, Zhang Tengfei1, Su Yu1   

  1. 1. College of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University Ya'an 625014;
    2. Key Laboratory of Forestry Ecological Engineering in Upper Reaches of Yangtze River, Sichuan Province Ya'an 625014
  • Received:2013-03-22 Revised:2014-05-30 Online:2014-07-25 Published:2014-07-04
  • Contact: 李贤伟

Abstract:

Fine roots in a forest ecosystem played an important role in global C cycle. We investigated fine root biomass and morphology in 9-year-old Alnus formosana plantations with and without Lolium multiflorum mixture in Danling County of Sichuan Province. The results showed that fine root biomass and average diameter of A. formosana significantly increased with the increase of fine root orders in the two modes, while specific root length (SRL) and root length density (RLD) significantly decreased (P<0.05). As compared with pure plantation of A. formosana, the mixture with L. multiflorum reduced fine root diameter while increased specific root length in soil surface (0-10 cm) and subsurface (10-20 cm), but there was only significant effect of the mixture on specific root length of the first two order roots (P<0.05). Mixture with L. multiflorum significantly increased root length density and biomass of the first two order roots in surface soil layer (P<0.05), however, the last three order roots were in reverse. Mixture with L. multiflorum significantly increased root length density and biomass of the first five order roots in subsurface soil layer (P<0.05). Fine root biomass of A. formosana decreased significantly with soil depth in the two modes (P<0.05). Fine root biomass, diameter, specific root length and root length density were to some extent related with water content, temperature, organic matter content, total nitrogen content and hydrolytic nitrogen content in soil, and the effects of soil organic matter content, total nitrogen content and hydrolytic nitrogen content on fine roots were more significant than other factors.

Key words: Alnus formosana, silvopasture system, fine root morphology, biomass, root order

CLC Number: