Responses of nutrient capture and fine root morphology of subalpine coniferous tree Picea asperata to nutrient heterogeneity and competition.

ABSTRACT: Investigating the responses of trees to the heterogeneous distribution of nutrients in soil and simultaneous presence of neighboring roots could strengthen the understanding of an influential mechanism on tree growth and provide a scientific basis for forest management. Here, we conducted two split-pot experiments to investigate the effects of nutrient heterogeneity and intraspecific competition on the fine root morphology and nutrient capture of Picea asperata. The results showed that P. asperata efficiently captured nutrients by increasing the specific root length (SRL) and specific root area (SRA) of first-and second-order roots and decreasing the tissue density of first-order roots to avoid competition for resources and space with neighboring roots. The nutrient heterogeneity and addit

SUBMITTER: Li D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5667764 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature