Root responses of Quercus ilex L. seedlings to drought and fire

Drought treatments in holm-oak (Quercus ilex) seedlings induce variations in total root length, number of root apices, shoot/root dry weight, and root electrolyte leakage. When drought treatments last for more than 50 days a considerable number of fine lateral roots die, irrespective of branching or...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Plant biosystems 2005-07, Vol.139 (2), p.198-208
Main Authors: Chiatante, D., Di Iorio, A., Scippa, G. S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Drought
fire
Quercus ilex
root system
seedlings
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Summary:Drought treatments in holm-oak (Quercus ilex) seedlings induce variations in total root length, number of root apices, shoot/root dry weight, and root electrolyte leakage. When drought treatments last for more than 50 days a considerable number of fine lateral roots die, irrespective of branching order or distribution within the root system. Scorching of drought-treated seedlings induces a transient stimulation of root growth. These results indicate that root turnover is deeply affected during treatments, with survival of seedlings being entrusted to the tolerance of a number of roots situated in the deeper region of the root system. Activity of the meristematic tissue present within the apices of these surviving roots supports regeneration of above-ground lost organs during recovery. Knowledge of the mechanisms ensuring the survival of Mediterranean tree seedlings following drought and fire is useful for developing models of vegetation dynamics.
ISSN:1126-3504
1724-5575
DOI:10.1080/11263500500160591