The phenology of fine root growth in a maple-dominated ecosystem: relationships with some soil properties

• Published in: Plant and soil 1998-04, Vol.201 (1), p.59-69
• Main Authors: Cote, B. (McGill Univ., Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Que. (Canada). Dept. of Natural Resource Sciences), Hendershot, W.H, Fyles, J.W, Roy, A.G, Bradley, R, Biron, P.M, Courchesne, F
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ACER; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Annual variations; Biological and medical sciences; BOSQUE DE FRONDOSAS CADUCAS; CRECIMIENTO; CROISSANCE; DECIDUOUS SUMMER FORESTS; FENOLOGIA; FERTILIDAD DEL SUELO; FERTILITE DU SOL; Fertility; Forest soils; FORET FEUILLUE CADUQUE; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Growing seasons; GROWTH; Maple sugar; Mineral soils; PHENOLOGIE; PHENOLOGY; Plant growth; Plant roots; QUEBEC; RACINE; RAICES; Root growth; ROOTS; Soil ecology; Soil environment; SOIL FERTILITY; Soil moisture; Soil properties; SOIL TEMPERATURE; Soil water; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments; Soils; TEMPERATURA DEL SUELO; TEMPERATURE DU SOL
• ISSN: 0032-079X; 1573-5036
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1004351705516

A two-year study was undertaken in a maple-dominated watershed of southern Québec, Canada, to examine relationships between trends in fine root growth, stem diameter growth, soil moisture, soil temperature, mineralized-N and extractable-P Until September, soil temperature was consistently higher in 1995 than in 1994. Apart from the first sampling in mid-May, soil moisture was higher in 1994 than in 1995. In 1994, most fine roots were produced before leaf expansion, whereas in 1995, fine root production peaked in July. Annual fine root production was estimated to be 2.7 times higher in 1994 than in 1995. Stem growth was strongly associated with the seasonal and annual variation in soil temperature. Root and diameter growth were asynchronous in 1994 but not in 1995. Fine root production was associated with two groups of variables: a soil fertility (mineralized-N and extractable-P) group and a physical soil environment (moisture and temperature) group. Our results are consistent with the negative effect of high soil-N fertility on fine root production but are inconclusive as to the positive effect of high soil-P fertility. Soil conditions that are detrimental to root growth such as high N availability and anaerobiosis could modify the normal dynamics of fine root growth.