Abstract
From a root economics perspective, variation in fine-root morphological traits reflects contrasting strategies of resource acquisition and conservation. Here, we examined how fine-root structural and functional traits are associated with belowground architecture. We analysed coarse-root architecture and fine-root functional traits (specific root length, dry matter content and diameter) in four tap-rooted and four adventitious-rooted perennial herb species from North Patagonian forests. We considered two scales of analysis: entire belowground systems and root modules. Variations in the dry-matter content and specific length of fine roots were stronger among species than between architectural groups. Only for tap-rooted plants, lower specific root length was related to the development of thicker and more branched second-order roots. Dry-matter content of fine roots was positively related to the belowground mass fraction in tap-rooted plants and negatively related to adventitious-rooted plants. At root-module scale, the diameter of fine roots was more variable and more related to the structure of exploratory roots in tap-rooted species. Our multiscale approach strongly suggests that belowground architecture of coarse-root systems constrains fine-root functional strategies. Tap-rooted species exhibited a more integrated and architecturally constrained belowground system than adventitious-rooted species.
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Claims 7
Claim · model-written summary
Variation in fine-root dry-matter content and specific root length was stronger among species than between architectural groups.
Verbatim
t0“perennial herbs”
e1“Variations in the dry-matter content and specific length of fine roots were stronger among species than between architectural groups”
Claim · model-written summary
Only in tap-rooted plants, lower specific root length was related to development of thicker and more branched second-order roots.
Verbatim
t0“perennial herbs”
e1“Only for tap-rooted plants, lower specific root length was related to the development of thicker and more branched second-order roots”
Claim · model-written summary
Fine-root dry-matter content was positively related to the belowground mass fraction in tap-rooted plants.
Verbatim
t0“perennial herbs”
e1“Dry-matter content of fine roots was positively related to the belowground mass fraction in tap-rooted plants”
Claim · model-written summary
Fine-root dry-matter content was negatively related to the belowground mass fraction in adventitious-rooted plants.
Verbatim
t0“perennial herbs”
e1“Dry-matter content of fine roots was positively related to the belowground mass fraction in tap-rooted plants and negatively related to adventitious-rooted plants”
Claim · model-written summary
At root-module scale, fine-root diameter was more variable and more related to the structure of exploratory roots in tap-rooted species.
Verbatim
t0“perennial herbs”
e1“At root-module scale, the diameter of fine roots was more variable and more related to the structure of exploratory roots in tap-rooted species”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors suggest that belowground architecture of coarse-root systems constrains fine-root functional strategies.
Verbatim
t0“perennial herbs”
e1“belowground architecture of coarse-root systems constrains fine-root functional strategies”
Claim · model-written summary
Tap-rooted species exhibited a more integrated and architecturally constrained belowground system than adventitious-rooted species.
Verbatim
t0“perennial herbs”
e1“Tap-rooted species exhibited a more integrated and architecturally constrained belowground system than adventitious-rooted species”