Characteristics of fine root distribution in Populus tomentosa plantations under density and water management

ZHOU Ou, Gulimire Yilihamu, ZHU Wei, WANG Yafei, JIA Liming, XI Benye

Journal of Nanjing Forestry University (Natural Sciences Edition） ›› 2026, Vol. 50 ›› Issue (1) : 179-187.

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南京林业大学学报（自然科学版）
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Journal of Nanjing Forestry University (Natural Sciences Edition） ›› 2026, Vol. 50 ›› Issue (1) : 179-187. DOI: 10.12302/j.issn.1000-2006.202407037

Characteristics of fine root distribution in Populus tomentosa plantations under density and water management

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Abstract

【Objective】 This study investigated the distribution characteristics of fine roots in poplar (Populus tomentosa) plantations under different stand densities and water management regimes, aiming to optimize cultivation techniques for poplar plantations in the north China Plain.【Method】In 2021, we employed the soil core method to analyze fine root (< 2 mm in diameter) growth, morphological indices, and soil water content with the 6 m soil profile across five treatment combinations: FIhigh (high density + full drip irrigation), FIlow (low density + full drip irrigation), NIhigh (high density + rainfed), NIlow (low density + rainfed), and NImedium (medium density + rainfed). Stand densities were categorized as high (3 m×3 m), medium (3 m×6 m) and low (6 m×6 m). The study assessed how density and irrigation (FI. full drip irrigation; NI. rainfed) influence fine root biomass distribution, vertical stratification, and horizontal extension.【Result】①In high-density stands, fine roots were uniformly distributed at varying distances from the tree base, whereas in medium-and low-density stands, fine root biomass decreased with increasing distance from the tree. ②Across all treatments, fine root biomass declined with soil depth, with the peak distribution of P. tomentosa fine roots occurring in the [0,200] cm layer (108.15-450.74 g/m3).③Reduced planting density led to shallower fine root distribution. Under FI, fine roots were concentrated in upper soil layers, with the shallowest cumulative 50% fine root biomass density (RBD) observed in the low FI treatment (26.49 cm). ④Under NI conditions, NIhigh exhibited the lowest mean RBD (58.16 g/m3) in the [0,600] cm profile but increased fine root growth in the (100,400] cm layer. NImedium enhanced deep root distribution and accelerated soil water depletion in deeper layers. Compared to NI, FI reduced RBD below 30 cm. ⑤Under NI, density had no significant effect on fine root morphology. However, in high-density stands, FIhigh promoted stand growth in the (30,600] cm layer via efficient root traits: high specific root length (24.45-90.97 m/g), low tissue density (0.24-0.39 g/cm3), and small mean diameter (0.20-0.32 mm). 【Conclusion】 Fine roots of P. tomentosa exhibit a vertical distribution within [0,600] cm, decreasing with depth across all treatments. Reducing planting density shifts fine roots upward, decreasing deep-layer biomass. Under NI, high-density stands enhance root boundary density (RBD) in the (100,400] cm range, improving fine root surface area (RSA) and length density (RLD), mitigating underground competition. Medium-density stands under NI promote deep root growth, accelerating deep soil water use. Under FI, high-density stands optimize root plasticity rather than biomass expansion to improve water-use efficiency and growth. These findings support climate-resilient poplar plantation strategies that balance productivity and sustainability in semi-arid regions.

Key words

Populus tomentosa plantation / planting densities / drip irrigation with full irrigation / fine roots distribution

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ZHOU Ou , Gulimire Yilihamu , ZHU Wei , et al . Characteristics of fine root distribution in Populus tomentosa plantations under density and water management[J]. Journal of Nanjing Forestry University (Natural Sciences Edition）. 2026, 50(1): 179-187 https://doi.org/10.12302/j.issn.1000-2006.202407037

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