Response of root morphology and biomass of Tamarix ramosissima seedlings to different water irrigations

doi:10.3724/SP.J.1258.2012.01024

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims Deficient water resources in the lower reaches of Tarim River of China impose constraints on the growth and survival of planted seedlings of Tamarix ramosissima. Our objective was to study root morphology and growth of T. ramosissima seedlings to provide suggestions for rehabilitating degraded desert riparian forest.
Methods We investigated root growth, biomass production of the seedlings under two irrigation treatments, i.e., layered-side irrigation and above-ground irrigation, and three watering levels, i.e., high water level (W1, 50 L∙ tree ^-1), medium water level (W2, 25 L∙tree ^-1) and low water level (W3, 12.5 L∙tree ^-1).
Important findings Layered side-irrigation significantly increased fine root length (0.5 mm < d < 2 mm), fine root surface area, coarse root biomass (d > 2 mm), below- and above-ground biomass and root depth compared with above-ground irrigation. Root length and biomass with layered side-irrigation and W1 increased significantly (p < 0.05). Total fine root (d < 2 mm) specific root length (SRL) with layered side-irrigation increased significantly with the increase in watering level, and above-ground irrigation caused insignificant differences in the SRL between W1, W2 and W3. The root/shoot ratio (R/S) in the layered side-irrigation treatment was less than that in the above-ground irrigation treatment. Our results suggest that the layered side-irrigation caused more rapid and greater root elongation, as well as root biomass production in T. ramosissima seedlings. This may benefit seedling survival in the early growing stage.

Key words: biomass, layered side-irrigation, root morphology, Tamarix ramosissima, watering level

MA Xiao-Dong, ZHU Cheng-Gang, LI Wei-Hong. Response of root morphology and biomass of Tamarix ramosissima seedlings to different water irrigations[J]. Chin J Plant Ecol, 2012, 36(10): 1024-1032.

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URL: https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/10.3724/SP.J.1258.2012.01024

https://www.plant-ecology.com/EN/Y2012/V36/I10/1024

Figures/Tables 4

Table 1 Irrigation depth and amount of Tamarix ramosissima seedlings in different treatments and irrigation schedules

灌溉方式 Irrigation method	灌溉水平 Watering level	灌溉量 Irrigation amount (L?plant^-1)	灌溉深度 Irrigation depth (cm)
灌溉方式 Irrigation method	灌溉水平 Watering level	灌溉量 Irrigation amount (L?plant^-1)	4月30日 30 April	6月1日 1 June	7月10日 10 July	9月1日 1 September
侧渗分层灌溉 Layered-side irrigation	高灌 High water level	50	30	50	70	90
	中灌 Medium water level	25	30	50	70	90
	低灌 Low water level	12.5	30	50	70	90
地表灌溉 Above-ground irrigation	高灌 High water level	50	-	-	-	-
	中灌 Medium water level	25	-	-	-	-
	低灌 Low water level	12.5	-	-	-	-

Fig. 1 Vertical distributions of finest root (d < 0.5 mm) and fine root (0.5 mm < d < 2 mm) length of Tamarix ramosissima seedlings in different soil layers under different irrigation treatments in the end of growth season (mean ± SD). A, B, layered-side irrigation. C, D, Above-ground irrigation.

Fig. 2 Vertical distribution of soil water content under different irrigation treatments (mean ± SD). A, layered-side irrigation. B, Above-ground irrigation.

Fig. 3 Regression analysis between soil water content and finest root and fine root length of Tamarix ramosissima seedlings in the end of growth season.

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