Root architecture adaptation of Pistacia atlantica subsp. atlantica according to an increasing climatic and edaphic gradient: case of a north–south transect in Algeria

Abstract

Roots are hidden by soil, making their excavation and measurement of their size very laborious (Gregory, 2006) and difficult to analyze (Rood et al., 2011). However, the study of their spatial distributions allows the discovery of their main sources of water and minerals (Lynch, 1995). Given the quantitative and qualitative heterogeneity in Abstract: Despite xeric conditions, Pistacia atlantica Desf. subsp. atlantica (Atlas pistachio) succeeds in developing impressive dendrometric dimensions (25-m high, 2-m trunk diameter). It is among the rare spontaneous phanerophytes of the North African steppe. With access to water being the primary condition for survival, we focused on its root system. According to a gradient of increasing climatic and edaphic aridity in Algeria, we recorded different root architectures set up by this tree. We sampled its underlying soil and determined its main physico-chemical characteristics. Root architecture is mainly of the superficial type with more than 60% of roots located in the top 50 cm of soil along the north-south transect. With the decrease in precipitation and the rising of temperatures, length of the dry season, and the content of sand in soil, the number of superficial roots and their ramifications decrease, while their average circumferences, and the length and average circumference of the deep roots increase. These deep and thick roots allow access and storage of moisture present in the deep levels and protected there from evaporation, and, on the other hand, provide an important anchor in these soft soils. The Atlas pistachio adapts to increasing climatic and edaphic aridity by adopting a phreatophytic strategy.

Range of soil and climate characteristics appropriate for Pistacia atlantica forest development and rehabilitation (case study: Fars province, Iran)

“…TAHERI ABKENAR et al [2013] studies also did not indicate significant differences among samples soil texture and saturation percentage in Khojir wild pistachio national park. LIMANE et al [2014] research confirmed large difference in soil texture of wild pistachio forest in Algeria.…”

Taxonomic diversity and morphological types of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities symbiotic with Atlas pistachio along an aridity gradient in Algeria

“…), located along the north-south transect were the same as those used in previous studies (Fig. 1, Limane et al 2014;Limane 2018).…”

“…can serve as an interesting model. Indeed, several publications have reported the high adaptability of Atlas pistachio to increasing aridity (from semi-arid to hyperarid ecoclimatic conditions) by leaf morphological and histological (Belhadj et al 2007;Belhadj et al 2008), root architecture (Limane et al 2014;Limane 2018), and leaf biochemical traits (Hadj Aissa 2004;Ait Saïd et al 2011). However, publications concerning its mycorrhizal status are scarce (Limane et al 2016).…”

Antimitotic and genotoxic effect on the meristematic cells of Allium cepa L. of the alkaloid and flavonoid fractions of the leaves of Peganum harmala L. from the Laghouat region, Algeria.

“…Sampling was carried out randomly in dayate Aiat, Timzerth region, wilaya of Laghouat (Algeria). Bioclimatically, the study area is located in the arid zone, with a dry season of 11 months per year (Limane et al, 2014).The samples were placed in paper bags and stored in a cooler and then refrigerated until they were used in the laboratory. The identification of the plant was carried out by Professor Smail-Saadoun Noria, Director of the Natural Resources Laboratory (LRN), University Mouloud Maameri, Tizi-Ouzou (Algeria).The harvested leaves were dried in the shade at room temperature, lying on the laboratory bench for 10 days.…”