Chin J Plant Ecol ›› 2025, Vol. 49 ›› Issue (9): 1498-1514.DOI: 10.17521/cjpe.2024.0336  cstr: 32100.14.cjpe.2024.0336

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Root trait variation in response to a novel soil substrate in two typical vertical greening plants from the East China

XING Qiang1(), ZHAO Bin2,*()(), HU Yong-Hong1, YANG Jun1, QIN Jun1, LIU He-Ming1, WANG Hong-Bing3, ZHOU Peng4   

  1. 1Urban Horticulture Research and Extension Center, Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, Shanghai 201602, China
    2School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
    3College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
    4School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
  • Received:2024-09-29 Accepted:2025-02-07 Online:2025-09-20 Published:2025-02-08
  • Contact: XING Qiang, ZHAO Bin
  • Supported by:
    project of Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality(23DZ1204605);Shanghai Municipal Greening and Urban Facilities Management Bureau(G242422);National Natural Science Foundation of China(52378072)

Abstract:

Aims Understanding the multidimensional traits of plant biomass dynamics and root system architecture is essential for optimizing the use of building space to enhance urban green volume, improve ecological service quality and promote overall building performance. This study provides theoretical support for rational urban greening construction.
Methods Two commonly used lianas with well-developed root systems, Vinca major ‘Variegata’ (cascading type) and Trachelospermum jasminoides ‘Variegatum’ (climbing type), were selected from urban greening landscapes in East China. The study compared their three-year growth dynamics, root architecture, and biomass changes across different substrates and predicted their longevity under these conditions.
Important findings (1) Plant biomass and root architecture followed a unimodal growth pattern in the traditional mixed substrate, with a rapid increase followed by a decline, whereas in the novel medium, they exhibited a steady, linear growth trend. (2) Correlation and principal component analyses of plant biomass and root architecture across different substrate types revealed significant variations in root length, number of root tips, root forks, root surface area, and root volume. These traits were identified as key indicators for modeling plant longevity, each serving distinct functions: root surface area and root volume were stable, systematic assessment parameters, while root length and number of root tips were highly sensitive evaluation parameters. (3) Growth curves modeling of plants cultivated in the novel container medium predicted peak growth periods of 6.99 and 10.77 a, respectively, substantially longer than the 2-3 a observed in the traditional mixed substrate. The optimal compaction and nutrient content of the novel medium enhanced root vitality and turnover, thereby extending plant lifespan and the duration of ecological services. By revealing and quantifying the complex structure and function of the root system of urban greening vines, this study helps to build a more stable and efficient plant community, which can improve the level of urban biodiversity. Additionally, it provides experimental and theoretical support for iterative greening camping techniques for special habitats such as green roofs and vertical green walls.

Key words: root architecture, biomass, solidifiable soil substrates, root domain restriction, root economics spectrum, habitat, urban ecology