Distribution of cutin and suberin biomarkers under forest trees with different root systems

• Published in: Plant and soil 2014-08, Vol.381 (1-2), p.95-110
• Main Authors: Spielvogel, Sandra, Prietzel, Jörg, Leide, Jana, Riedel, Michael, Zemke, Julian, Kögel-Knabner, Ingrid
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acid soils; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; alkaline hydrolysis; Analysis; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Biological markers; Biomarkers; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Botany; carbon; Carbon content; cutin; Ecology; Fagus sylvatica; Forest soils; forest trees; forests; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gas chromatography; General agronomy. Plant production; Hydrolysis; Hydroxy acids; leaves; Life Sciences; Lipids; Mass spectrometry; Mineral soils; Monomers; Organic carbon; Organic matter; Picea abies; Plant Physiology; Plant roots; Plant Sciences; Plant species; Pseudotsuga menziesii; Quercus robur; Regular Article; root systems; Roots; Soil chemistry; Soil depth; Soil Science & Conservation; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments; Soils; Stems; suberin; Topsoil; Trees
• ISSN: 0032-079X; 1573-5036
• DOI: 10.1007/s11104-014-2103-z

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Differences in chemical composition of root compounds and root systems among tree species may affect organic matter (OM) distribution, source and composition in forest soils. The objective of this study was to elucidate the contribution of species specific cutin and suberin biomarkers as proxies for shoot- and root-derived organic carbon (OC) to soil OM at different depths with increasing distance to the stems of four different tree species. METHODS: The contribution of cutin- and suberin-derived lipids to OM in a Cutanic Alisol was analyzed with increasing soil depth and distance to the stems of Fagus sylvatica L., Picea abies (L.) Karst., Quercus robur L. and Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco. Cutin and suberin monomers of plants and soils were analyzed by alkaline hydrolysis and subsequent gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The amount and distribution of suberin-derived lipids in soil clearly reflected the specific root system of the different tree species. The amount of cutin-derived lipids decreased strongly with soil depth, indicating that the input of leaf/needle material is restricted to the topsoil. In contrast to the suberin-derived lipids, the spatial pattern of cutin monomer contribution to soil OM did not depend on tree species. CONCLUSIONS: Our results document the importance of tree species as a main factor controlling the composition and distribution of OM in forest soils. They reveal the impact of tree species on root-derived OM distribution and the necessity to distinguish among different zones when studying soil OM storage in forests.