Seasonal variation in chemistry, but not morphology, in roots of Quercus robur growing in different soil types

Zadworny, Marcin; McCormack, M. Luke; Rawlik, Katarzyna; Jagodziński, Andrzej M.

doi:10.1093/treephys/tpv018

Cited by 43 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…Furthermore, the season of collection can influence N content of lower order roots. Zadworny et al (2015) found that N content of lower order roots increased during spring and summer and then declined at the end of the growing season coinciding with an increase in N concentration of the higher order transport roots in Quercus robur.…”

Section: Methodological Considerations For Future Studiesmentioning

confidence: 88%

Maintaining connectivity: understanding the role of root order and mycelial networks in fine root decomposition of woody plants

Beidler

Pritchard

2017

Plant Soil

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Background The predictive power of climate models is limited by an incomplete understanding of the controls on fine root decomposition and thus belowground carbon cycling. To more accurately model rates of decay, fine root heterogeneity needs to be addressed in fine root decomposition studies. Branching order integrates both structural and chemical properties that are important in indicating litter quality and decay rate. Scope We discuss current views on the controls and patterns of fine root decomposition in combination with recent findings related to the effects of branching order and mycorrhizal decomposition. We examine the counterintuitive finding that nitrogen rich, lower order roots decompose more slowly than woody, higher order roots in temperate and subtropical forests. ConclusionsWe posit that slower decomposition of first and second compared to higher order roots might be caused by the poor carbon quality associated with higher concentrations of phenols in lower order roots or by inhibition of saprophytes by the mycorrhizal fungi that often preferentially inhabit these roots. Alternatively, apparent recalcitrance of lower order roots could be an experimental artifact caused by severing pre-mortem mycelial connections during sample processing, or exclusion of animals that graze fungal structures by the small mesh sizes characteristic of litterbags. To better predict the residence time of the carbon contained in the entire fine root pool, existing methods should be applied to individual root orders when practical. New methods for characterizing decomposition of undisturbed roots that have senesced naturally are greatly needed.

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Section: Methodological Considerations For Future Studiesmentioning

confidence: 88%

Maintaining connectivity: understanding the role of root order and mycelial networks in fine root decomposition of woody plants

Beidler

Pritchard

2017

Plant Soil

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“…Additionally, the warmer and subtropical climate with less seasonal variation in temperatures may also have contributed to the observed lower dynamics of N concentration in fine roots. Trees in northern temperate climates experiencing distinct seasons have shown decrease in root N concentration later in the growing season (Xia et al ., ; Jia et al ., ; Zadworny et al ., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Phenolic profile within the fine‐root branching orders of an evergreen species highlights a disconnect in root tissue quality predicted by elemental‐ and molecular‐level carbon composition

et al. 2015

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SummaryFine roots constitute a significant source of plant productivity and litter turnover across terrestrial ecosystems, but less is known about the quantitative and qualitative profile of phenolic compounds within the fine-root architecture, which could regulate the potential contribution of plant roots to the soil organic matter pool.To understand the linkage between traditional macro-elemental and morphological traits of roots and their molecular-level carbon chemistry, we analyzed seasonal variations in monomeric yields of the free, bound, and lignin phenols in fine roots (distal five orders) and leaves of Ardisia quinquegona.Fine roots contained two-fold higher concentrations of bound phenols and three-fold higher concentrations of lignin phenols than leaves. Within fine roots, the concentrations of free and bound phenols decreased with increasing root order, and seasonal variation in the phenolic profile was more evident in lower order than in higher order roots. The morphological and macro-elemental root traits were decoupled from the quantity, composition and tissue association of phenolic compounds, revealing the potential inability of these traditional parameters to capture the molecular identity of phenolic carbon within the fine-root architecture and between fine roots and leaves.Our results highlight the molecular-level heterogeneity in phenolic carbon composition within the fine-root architecture, and imply that traits that capture the molecular identity of the root construct might better predict the decomposition dynamics within fine-root orders.

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“…Thus, Aranda et al (2015) showed significant physiological differences among six Fagus sylvatica populations adapted to specific local water availability. Zadworny et al (2015) established a strong seasonal variation in nitrogen concentration among roots of oak trees growing in two contrasting soil types. Sperlich et al (2015) showed differences in photosynthetic potentials and drought-tolerance in sunlit and shaded leaves of four Mediterranean trees.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Metabolic Responses of Steppe Forest Trees to Altirude-Associated Local Environmental Changes

Lykholat¹,

Khromyk²,

Ivanko³

et al. 2016

AgricultForest

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SUMMARYThe effect of altitude-associated environmental gradient on leaves metabolic features of Quercus robur L. (an oak) and Fraxinus excelsior L. (an ash) was investigated in the natural coastal forest at Bellegarde' International Biosphere Reserve in Steppe zone, Ukraine. Decrease in relative humidity contrary to increase in temperature and lighting under the forest canopy were observed on the river steep bank with altitudinal elevation from lower (52 m a.s.l.) to middle (74 m.), and upper (96 m). Responses of tree leaves photosynthetic and antioxidant systems to the environmental local changes were studied by measuring chlorophyll (Chl) content, as well as catalase and peroxidase activities. Decrease in Chl amount in the ash leaves at middle and upper altitudes (17 and 38% compared with lower), along with increase (8% and 13%, respectively) in the oak leaves was found out. Chl content was determined to correlate with light, temperature, and humidity in both leaves of ash (respectively, r = -0.94, r = -0.92, r = 0.90) and oak (r = 0.95, r = 0.93, r = -0.90). Catalase activity grew with increasing altitude in leaves of ash (2 and 2.2 fold compared to lower altitude) and oak (1.2 and 1.4 fold) as well. Contribution of catalase to the total antioxidant enzymes activity enhanced in leaves of both species with increasing altitude. The results confirmed high sensitivity of steppe forest trees even to slight altitude-associated environmental deviations. Data obtained can be used to assess the adaptive potential of woody species to the climate changes aiming towards greater aridity traits and select tree species for planted forest creation as well.

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Seasonal variation in chemistry, but not morphology, in roots of Quercus robur growing in different soil types

Cited by 43 publications

References 55 publications

Maintaining connectivity: understanding the role of root order and mycelial networks in fine root decomposition of woody plants

Maintaining connectivity: understanding the role of root order and mycelial networks in fine root decomposition of woody plants

Phenolic profile within the fine‐root branching orders of an evergreen species highlights a disconnect in root tissue quality predicted by elemental‐ and molecular‐level carbon composition

Metabolic Responses of Steppe Forest Trees to Altirude-Associated Local Environmental Changes

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