Decomposition of root litter and related microbial population dynamics of a Negev Desert shrub, Zygophyllum dumosum

Steinberger, Yosef; Degani, R. M.; Barness, G.

doi:10.1016/s0140-1963(05)80122-3

Cited by 17 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…However, soil surface moisture was positively correlated with leaf litter and fine root decomposition rates across the four tree species, and thus soil surface moisture was the important driver of leaf litter and fine root decomposition rates in this study. Our results are consistent with previous studies (Steinberger et al 1995;Wieder and Wright 1995;Cusack et al 2009). The positive correlation between leaf litter or fine root decomposition rates and soil surface moisture reflects the importance of soil water for decomposition.…”

Section: Microclimate Controls On Leaf Litter and Fine Root Decomposisupporting

confidence: 94%

Correlation between leaf litter and fine root decomposition among subtropical tree species

Wang

Liu

2010

Plant Soil

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Elucidating the processes of leaf litter and fine root decomposition has been a major research focus, while how the correlation between leaf litter and fine root decomposition is unclear. We studied the in situ decomposition and N dynamics of leaf litter and fine root of four subtropical tree species (Pinus massoniana, Castanopsis hystrix, Michelia macclurei and Mytilaria laosensis) to determine whether leaf litter and fine root decomposition is correlated across species as well as which factors influence decomposition above versus below ground. Decomposition rate of leaf litter was related to that of fine root across species. The strong correlation between leaf litter and fine root decomposition rates arose largely for several reasons. First, soil moisture had the similar influences on both leaf litter and fine root decomposition rates. Second, traits (i.e., initial Ca concentration) important to both leaf litter and fine root decomposition rates showed significant similarity among species. Third, initial P, N and aromatic C concentrations, and C/N ratio were uniquely important for fine root decomposition rate, while no unique traits for leaf litter decomposition rate. This also could account for the strong correlation between leaf litter and fine root decomposition rates. Our study suggests that among these subtropical trees, species effects on in situ decomposition rates of leaf litter and fine root are very similar. Thus, species differences in decomposition rates may be as large as they would be if faster decomposition of leaf litter was correlated with faster decomposition of fine root. N immobilization rate of leaf litter was unrelated to that of fine root across species. Our results help explain some important mechanisms by which tree species influence litter in situ decomposition.

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Section: Microclimate Controls On Leaf Litter and Fine Root Decomposisupporting

confidence: 94%

Correlation between leaf litter and fine root decomposition among subtropical tree species

Wang

Liu

2010

Plant Soil

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“…In summary, these results suggest the importance of climate conditions during the initial stage of decay. Camire´et al (1991) found that the lignin content was twice the initial value after 1 year of decomposition in black alder (Alnus glutinosa), which is similar to the findings for Zygophyllum dumosurn by Steinberger et al (1995). For example, Hartmann et al (1999) reported that, after 6 months of decomposition with border irrigation, root C content varied from 44.7 to 49.1 % for Phragmites australis, from 44.3 to 47.6 % for Carex paniculata, and from 46.0 to 48.5 % for Carex riparia, respectively.…”

Section: Dynamics Of Root Decompositionsupporting

confidence: 73%

Root decomposition ofArtemisia halodendronand its effect on soil nitrogen and soil organic carbon in the Horqin Sandy Land, northeastern China

Luo

Zou

et al. 2016

Ecological Research

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Root decomposition is a critical feedback from the plant to the soil, especially in sandy land where strong winds remove aboveground litter. As a pioneer shrub in semi‐mobile dunes of the Horqin sandy land, Artemisia halodendron has multiple effects on nutrient capture and the microenvironment. However, its root decomposition has not been studied in terms of its influence on soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (N). In this study, we buried fine (≤2 mm) and coarse roots in litterbags at a depth of 15 cm below semi‐mobile dunes. We measured the masses remaining and the C and N contents at intervals during 434 days of decomposition. The soils below the litterbags were then divided into layers and sampled to measure the SOC and N contents. After rapid initial decomposition, both coarse and fine roots decomposed slowly. After 53 days, 36.2 % of coarse roots and 39.8 % of fine roots had decomposed. In contrast, only 18.4 % of coarse roots and 30.5 % of fine roots decomposed in the following 381 days. Fine roots decomposed significantly faster, and their decomposition rate after the initial rapid decay was strongly related to climate (R2 = 0.716, P < 0.05). Root decomposition increased SOC and N contents below the litterbags, with larger effects for fine roots. The SOC content was more variable between soil layers than the N content. Thus, decomposition of A. halodendron roots cannot be ignored when studying SOC and N feedbacks from plants to the soil, particularly for fine roots.

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“…However, there was a significantly positive correlation between fine root decomposition rate and soil temperature, which was, therefore, the major driver of fine root decomposition, similar to that found in previous studies [57,[62][63][64][65][66]. According to Cusack et al [62], precipitation-related parameters are strong predictors of litter decomposition in neotropical forests, and Hobbie et al [67] also suggested that moister soils could facilitate rapid mass loss by promoting leaching and microbial activity or a faster colonisation of decomposing material by microbes.…”

Section: Soil Factors Influences On Fine Root Traitssupporting

confidence: 88%

Characteristics of Fine Roots of Pinus massoniana in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China

Shen

Wang

Cheng

et al. 2017

Forests

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Several studies have focused on fine roots characteristics because they provide a major pathway for nutrient cycling and energy flow in forest ecosystems. However, few studies have evaluated changes in fine root characteristics according to their diameter. Pinus massoniana forests are the main vegetative component in the Three Gorges Reservoir area and play an important role in providing forest resources and ecological services. Pinus massoniana fine roots were sorted into 0-0.5, 0.5-1, and 1-2 mm diameter classes, and their fine root standing biomass (FRB), necromass, annual production and decomposition rates were determined and correlated with soil characteristics. These fine roots in three diameter classes significantly differed in their initial carbon (C), C/N ratio, FRB, necromass, annual C and N production and decomposition rate. The production and decomposition of these different diameter classes varied significantly with soil variables including soil temperature, moisture, calcium and ammonium concentration but the strength of these interactions varied dependent on diameter class. The very fine roots had a faster decomposition ratio than larger fine roots due to the lower N content, higher C/N ratio and higher sensitivity to soil environmental factors. These results clearly indicate heterogeneity among fine roots of different diameters, and these variations should be taken into account when studying fine root characteristics and their role in the C cycle.

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Decomposition of root litter and related microbial population dynamics of a Negev Desert shrub, Zygophyllum dumosum

Cited by 17 publications

References 22 publications

Correlation between leaf litter and fine root decomposition among subtropical tree species

Correlation between leaf litter and fine root decomposition among subtropical tree species

Root decomposition ofArtemisia halodendronand its effect on soil nitrogen and soil organic carbon in the Horqin Sandy Land, northeastern China

Characteristics of Fine Roots of Pinus massoniana in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China

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