JOURNAL OF NANJING FORESTRY UNIVERSITY ›› 2020, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (1): 31-38.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1000-2006.201811008

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Comparative analysis on the fine root traits of the four native broad-leaved trees in the hilly region of central Sichuan Province

CHEN Junhua1,2(), ZHOU Dasong1,2, NIU Mu3, BIE Pengfei4, XIE Tianzi1,2, ZHAO Run4, MU Changlong1,2,*()   

  1. 1. Sichuan Academy of Forestry,Sichuan Key Laboratory of Ecological Restoration and Conservation for Forest and Wetland, Chengdu 610081, China
    2. Sichuan Longmenshan National Positioning Observation and Research Station for Forest Ecosystem, Pingwu 622550, China
    3. College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
    4. Life Science and Technology College, Mianyang Teachers’ College, Mianyang 621000, China
  • Received:2018-11-05 Revised:2019-09-06 Online:2020-02-08 Published:2020-02-02
  • Contact: MU Changlong E-mail:295454166@qq.com;mucl2006@aliyun.com

Abstract:

【Objective】 Although cypress (Cupressus funebris) plantations are the predominant type of protected forests in the central Sichuan hilly region of China, their comprehensive benefits have not yet to be realized, owing to the high-density nature of stands and single-species composition. Moreover, only a few tree species can adapt to the central Sichuan hilly region, which is characterized by shallow infertile purple soils. In order to gain scientific evidence on which to base the selection and management of protected forest species in the central Sichuan hilly region, we examined the fine root traits of four native broad-leaved tree species (Alnus cremastogyne, Camptotheca acuminata, Cinnamomum camphora and Toona sinensis), which were planted in strips cut in cypress stands to determine differences in the utilization of below-ground resources among these four species. 【Method】 In order to enhance Cupressus funebris monoculture, we examined the effects Cupressus funebris stand modification by cutting strips among the Cupressus funebris trees and replanting these with four native broad-leaved tree species ( A. cremastogyne, Camptotheca acuminata, Cinnamomum camphora and T. sinensis) 7 years age. Five typical healthy individuals of each tree species were selected and we extracted whole root systems in order to analyze features such as fine root (diameter < 2 mm) biomass traits, morphological characteristics, and branching structure. 【Result】 ① We observed that the root biomass density of fine roots was highest in A. cremastogyne [(0.156 ± 0.030) kg/m 3], which was 15.67, 11.72 and 4.61 times higher than that ofCamptotheca acuminata, Cinnamomum camphora and T. sinensis, respectively. The root surface area density of A. cremastogyne, Camptotheca acuminata, Cinnamomum camphora and T. sinensis was 0.99, 0.45, 0.68 and 1.13 m2/m3, respectively, and the root length density was 110.33, 10.58, 26.64 and 97.56 m/m3, respectively. ② The average root diameter of the four species was ranked as Camptotheca acuminata (1.67 mm) > Cinnamomum camphora (1.06 mm) > T. sinensis (0.77 mm) > A. cremastogyne (0.73 mm). The specific root lengths for A. cremastogyne, Camptotheca acuminata, Cinnamomum camphora and T. sinensis were 62.54, 49.31, 81.53, 287.50 cm/g, whereas their specific root surface areas were 13.58, 25.61, 27.35 and 83.15 cm2/g, respectively. The root tissue density of A. cremastogyne was found to be significantly higher than that of the other three species (df = 3, F = 360.726, P < 0.05). ③ The specific root tip number (df = 3, F = 391.659, P < 0.01), root tip density (df = 3, F = 103.857, P < 0.05), and root fork density (df = 3, F = 104.617, P < 0.05) of A. cremastogyne were 1 056 tips/g, 2.37 tips/cm and 2.65 tips/cm respectively, which were also significantly higher than those of the other three species. ④ Although the total N content in the fine roots of A. cremastogyne was 33.27%, 88.65% and 21.93% higher than that of Camptotheca acuminata, Cinnamomum camphora and T. sinensis, the reserves of total C, total P and total K content were found to be highest in T. sinensis. 【Conclusion】 In the early stages of stand transformation, A. cremastogyne and T. sinensis (which are the light demanding tree species) have higher root biomass density and stronger competitiveness due to the abundance of sunlight in the cut strips. Furthermore, during the early stage of this study, the experimental stand was characterized by poor soil quality and low soil moisture content, conditions under which these two shallow-rooted tree species can gain access to larger amounts soil space and nutrients by increasing the branching of horizontal roots. In contrast,Camptotheca camphora and Cinnamomum acuminate acquire soil space and nutrients by increasing fine-root diameter and vertical depth. Collectively, the results of this study indicate that there are significant differences in the fine-root traits of four examined broad-leaved trees species growing in the central Sichuan hilly region of China, and that these difference reflect differences in the strategies used for resource acquisition.

Key words: native broad-leaved tree, fine root trait, fine root morphological characteristic, fine root branching structure, nutrient content, hilly region of central Sichuan Province

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