TAILIEUCHUNG - Fine root architecture, morphology, and biomass response to cutting in a Chinese cork oak (Quercus variabilis Blume) forest

This study aims to detect the variety of fine root growth with branch orders in response to forest cutting. The branching ratio (Rb), root morphological indices, and biomass of up to 3 branch orders of fine roots were investigated from 2 soil depths (0 cm to 10cm and 10 cm to 20 cm) in Chinese cork oak (Quercus variabilis Blume) plots 1 and 3 years after forest cutting, compared with those of intact trees as the control. | Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry Turk J Agric For (2014) 38: 668-675 © TÜBİTAK doi: Research Article Fine root architecture, morphology, and biomass response to cutting in a Chinese cork oak (Quercus variabilis Blume) forest 1 1 1, 1 1 2 1 Chuang MA , Wenhui ZHANG *, Jianyun ZHOU , Min WU , Yaoqin XUE , Liwei MA Key Laboratory of Environment and Ecology of Education Ministry in West China, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, . China 2 College of Life Sciences, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, . China Received: Accepted: Published Online: Printed: Abstract: This study aims to detect the variety of fine root growth with branch orders in response to forest cutting. The branching ratio (Rb), root morphological indices, and biomass of up to 3 branch orders of fine roots were investigated from 2 soil depths (0 cm to 10 cm and 10 cm to 20 cm) in Chinese cork oak (Quercus variabilis Blume) plots 1 and 3 years after forest cutting, compared with those of intact trees as the control. The number of fine roots was lower in the managed plots than in the control, particularly in the first-order roots. After 1 year of cutting, the proportion of the first-order roots decreased significantly, whereas the proportion of the second-order and third-order roots increased. Rb decreased significantly after forest management in the 0–10 cm soil depth of plots after 1 year of cutting. The fine roots in the plots after cutting exhibited less root length density, lower specific root length, less surface area, and higher tissue density compared with those in control plots. The mean root diameter showed no significant change. The average biomass of the first 3 orders of roots in the plots 1 and 3 years after cutting was 72% and 83% of that of the control plot, respectively. The reduction of fine root growth was influenced mainly by .

• Nông nghiệp
• Root branch orders
• Specific root length
• Root biomass
• Root length density
• Root tissue density