Abstract
A field monitoring study was carried out to follow the changes of fine root morphology, biomass and nutrient status in relation to seasonal changes in soil solution chemistry and moisture regime in a mature Scots pine stand on acid soil. Seasonal and yearly fluctuations in soil moisture and soil solution chemistry have been observed. Changes in soil moisture accounted for some of the changes in the soil solution chemistry. The results showed that when natural acidification in the soil occurs with low pH (3.5–4.2) and high aluminium concentration in the soil solution (>3–10 mg l−1), fine root longevity and distribution could be affected. However, fine root growth of Scots pine may not be negatively influenced by adverse soil chemical conditions if soil moisture is not a limiting factor for root growth. In contrast, dry soil conditions increase Scots pine susceptibility to soil acidification and this could significantly reduce fine root growth and increase root mortality. It is therefore important to study seasonal fluctuations of the environmental variables when investigating and modelling cause-effect relationships.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
N Bartsch (1987) ArticleTitleResponses of root systems of young Pinus sylvestris and Pinus abies plants to water deficits and soil acidity Can. J. For. Res. 17 805–812
D Boxman (1988) Effects of excess nitrogen on the nutritional state of trees J Nilsson (Eds) Critical loads for sulphur and nitrogen UNECE Workshop Sweden
C S Cronan D F Grigal (1995) ArticleTitleUse of calcium/aluminum ratios as indicators of stress in forest ecosystems J. Environ. Qual. 24 209–226 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXks1OhtLs%3D
R A Dahlgren K A Vogt F C Ugolini (1991) ArticleTitleThe influence of soil chemistry on fine root aluminum concentrations and root dynamics in a subalpine Spodosol in Washington State, USA Plant Soil 133 117–129 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00011906 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3MXktVOmsLs%3D
Gijsman A J 1990 Nitrogen nutrition and rhizosphere pH of Douglas-fir. Ph.D. Thesis, State University Groningen.
R L Hendrick K S Pregitzer (1992) ArticleTitleThe demography of fine roots in the northern hardwood forests Ecology 73 1094–1104
R L Hendrick K S Pregitzer (1996) ArticleTitleTemporal and depth-related patterns of fine root dynamics in northern hardwood forests J. Ecol. 84 167–176
D Hertel C Leuschner (2002) ArticleTitleA comparison of four different fine root production estimates with ecosystem carbon balance data in Fagus-Quercus mixed forest Plant Soil 239 237–251 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1015030320845 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XktFWisbc%3D
J M Hodgson (1997) Soil survey field handbook Soil Survey and Land Research Centre Silsoe
H Holstener-Jorgensen E Holmsgaard (1994) ArticleTitleEffects of irrigation and drought on growth of young Norway spruce on east Danish moraine For. Lands. Res. 1 127–142
Jarvis M J, Allen R H, Fordham S J, Hazelden J, Moffat A J and Sturdy R G 1984 Soil and their use in South East England. Bulletin of the Soil Survey of England and Wales 15, Harpenden.
J D Joslin M H Wolfe P J Hanson (2001) ArticleTitleFactors controlling the timing of root elongation intensity in a mature upland oak stand Plant Soil 228 201–212 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1004866705021
T B Kinraide (1991) ArticleTitleIdentity of the rhizotoxic aluminium species Plant Soil 134 167–178 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3MXlslKru78%3D
G Kirchhof K Pendar (1993) Delta-T Scan User Manual Delta-T Devices Ltd. Cambridge, England
K Makkonen H-S Helmisaari (1998) ArticleTitleSeasonal and yearly variations of fine-root biomass and necromass in a Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stand For. Ecol. Manage. 102 283–290
Marschner H 1989 Effect of soil acidification on root growth, nutrient and water uptake. In Internat. Forest Decline Research: State of Knowledge and Perspectives. Ed. B Ulrich, Friedrichshafen.
Marschner H, Hausslinger M and Leisen M 1985 Rhizosphere pH of Norway spruce grown under both controlled and field conditions. In Indirect effects of air pollution on forest trees:root-rhizosphere interactions. Comm. Eur. Communities, COST workshop, Julich, pp. 113–118.
J Meyer B U Schneider K S Werk R Oren E-D Schulze (1988) ArticleTitlePerformance of two Picea abies (L.) Karst. stands of different stages of decline. V. Root tip and ectomycorrhiza development and their relation to aboveground and soil nutrients Oecologia 77 7–13 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00380917
J Mulder (1988) Impact of acid deposition on soils: field monitoring and aluminum chemistry Agricultural University Wageningen, The Netherlands
A F M Olsthoorn (1991) ArticleTitleFine root density and root biomass of two Douglas-fir stands on sandy soils in The Netherlands. 1. Root biomass in early summer Neth. J. Agr. Sci. 39 49–60
A F M Olsthoorn J M Klap J H Oude Voshaar (1999) ArticleTitleThe relation between fine root density and proximity of stems in closed Douglas-fir plantations on homogenous sandy soils: implications for sampling design Plant Soil 211 215–221 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1004624707774 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXntlKisLg%3D
H Persson (1980) ArticleTitleFine-root dynamics in a Scots pine stand with and without near optimal nutrient and water regimes Acta Phytogeogr. Suec. 68 101–110
H Persson (1983) ArticleTitleThe distribution and productivity of fine roots in boreal forests Plant Soil 71 87–101
H Persson H Majdi A Clemensson-Lindell (1995) ArticleTitleEffects of acid deposition on tree roots Ecol. Bull. 44 158–167 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXovF2nsLw%3D
D L Rowell (1994) Soil Science: Methods and Applications Longman Scientific and Technical England
D Santantonio R K Hermann (1985) ArticleTitleStanding crop, production, and turnover of fine roots on dry, moderate and wet sites of mature Douglas fir in western Oregon Ann. Sci. For. 42 113–142
Schecher W D and McAvoy D C 1999 MINEQL+ – A Chemical Equilibrium Modeling System. Version 4.0 for Windows. Workbook, Environmental Research Software, Hallowell, ME, pp. 125–137.
Schneider B U, Meyer J, Schulze E-D and Zech W 1989 Root and mycorrhizal development in healthy and declining Norway spruce stands. In Forest Decline and Air Pollution. Eds. E-D Schulze, O L Lange and R Oren. pp.~370–391. Ecol. Stud. 77.
E-D Schulze (1989) ArticleTitleAir pollution and forest decline in a spruce (Picea abies) Science 244 776–783 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL1MXkt1Oru74%3D
N Breemen Particlevan E R Jordens (1983) Effects of ammonium sulphate on calcareous and non-calcareous soils of woodlands in The Netherlands B Ulrich J Pankrath (Eds) Effects of Air Pollution on Forest Ecosystems D.Reidel Publ. Co Dordrecht 171–182
E I Vanguelova (2002) Soil acidification and fine root response of Scots pine Department of Soil Science, The University of Reading uk
K A Vogt R L Edmonds C C Grier (1981) ArticleTitleSeasonal changes in biomass and vertical distribution of mycorrhizal and fibrous-textured conifer fine roots in 23- and 180-year-old subalpine Abies amabilis stands Can. J. For. Res. 11 223–229
K A Vogt D J Moore M J Redlin R L Edmonds (1983) ArticleTitleConifer fine root and mycorrhizal root biomass within the forest floors of Douglas-fir stands of different ages and site productivities Can. J. For. Res. 13 429–437
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Vanguelova, E.I., Nortcliff, S., Moffat, A.J. et al. Morphology, biomass and nutrient status of fine roots of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) as influenced by seasonal fluctuations in soil moisture and soil solution chemistry. Plant Soil 270, 233–247 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-004-1523-6
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-004-1523-6