Variation and trade-offs in fine root functional traits of seedlings of different mycorrhizal types in mixed broadleaf-Korean pine forests

doi:10.17521/cjpe.2023.0328

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims Fine roots are important organs for absorbing and transporting nutrients during plant growth and development. Investigating the variation and trade-offs among functional traits of seedling fine roots of different mycorrhizal types is conducive to a more comprehensive understanding of their early survival strategies.

Methods In this study, we analyzed the variation and trade-offs across different mycorrhizal types, root orders and root functional modules. In particular, we measured three morphological traits (specific root length (SRL), root tissue density (RTD), and root diameter (D)), and four chemical traits (total phosphorus (P) content, total carbon (C) content, total nitrogen (N) content, carbon nitrogen ratio (C:N)), in three arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) and three ectomycorrhiza (EM) tree species seedlings in mixed broadleaf-Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) forest in the Liangshui National Nature Reserve, Heilongjiang Province.

Important findings The results showed that EM seedling fine roots exhibited higher RTD compared with AM seedlings, potentially due to the colonization patterns of AM fungi which increased root volumes and increased the absorptive capacity of limiting nutrients. Other traits did not differ significantly between the two types of mycorrhiza, with AM seedling roots aligning with a more resource-acquired strategy, in contrast to EM seedlings. As the root order increased, RTD and D of both mycorrhiza-association seedling roots increased significantly, while SRL decreased, indicating a functional shift from absorption to transportation. Concurrently, C content and C:N of roots increased, while the N content of roots decreased with increasing root order. A notable trade-off was observed between morphological and chemical traits of fine roots, suggesting that changes in root functional modules with root order are accompanied by corresponding shifts in root traits. These findings support the root economics spectrum (RES), highlighting the complex interplay between root morphology, chemistry and ecological strategy.

Key words: fine root, functional trait, mycorrhizal fungi, seedling, root functional module

XU Zi-Yi, JIN Guang-Ze. Variation and trade-offs in fine root functional traits of seedlings of different mycorrhizal types in mixed broadleaf-Korean pine forests[J]. Chin J Plant Ecol, 2024, 48(5): 612-622.

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URL: https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/10.17521/cjpe.2023.0328

https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/Y2024/V48/I5/612

Figures/Tables 4

Fig. 1 Comparison of fine root traits of seedlings across different root orders and mycorrhizal types in mixed broadleaf-Korean pine forests. AM, arbuscular mycorrhiza; C, total carbon content; C:N, carbon nitrogen ratio; D, root diameter; EM, ectomycorrhiza; N, total nitrogen content; P, total phosphorus content; RTD, root tissue density; SRL, specific root length. Different lowercase letters indicate significant differences among different root orders in the same mycorrhizal type (p < 0.05), and different uppercase letters indicate significant differences between two mycorrhizal types within identical root orders (p < 0.05).

Fig. 2 Comparison of fine root traits of seedlings among different root functional modules and mycorrhizal types in mixed broadleaf-Korean pine forests. AbsR, absorptive roots; AM, arbuscular mycorrhiza; C, total carbon content; C:N, carbon nitrogen ratio; D, root diameter; EM, ectomycorrhiza; N, total nitrogen content; P, total phosphorus content; RTD, root tissue density; SRL, specific root length; TraR, transport roots. Different lowercase letters indicate significant differences between root functional modules in the same mycorrhizal type (p < 0.05), and different uppercase letters indicate significant differences between two mycorrhizal types in the same root functional module (p < 0.05).

Fig. 3 Correlation between different fine root traits in arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (EM) seedlings in mixed broadleaf-Korean pine forests. C, total carbon content; C:N, carbon nitrogen ratio; D, root diameter; N, total nitrogen content; P, total phosphorus content; RTD, root tissue density; SRL, specific root length. Corr, correlation coefficient of overall. *, p < 0.05; **, p < 0.01; ***, p < 0.001.

Fig. 4 Principal component (PC) analysis of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (EM) seedlings fine root traits in mixed broadleaf-Korean pine forests. C, total carbon content; C:N, carbon nitrogen ratio; D, root diameter; N, total nitrogen content; P, total phosphorus content; RTD, root tissue density; SRL, specific root length.

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