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Zheng J, Freschet GT, Tedersoo L, Li S, Yan H, Jiang L, Wang H, Ma N, Dai X, Fu X, Kou L. A trait-based root acquisition-defence-decomposition framework in angiosperm tree species. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5311. [PMID: 38906891 PMCID: PMC11192760 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49666-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
To adapt to the complex belowground environment, plants make trade-offs between root resource acquisition and defence ability. This includes forming partnerships with different types of root associating microorganisms, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal fungi. These trade-offs, by mediating root chemistry, exert legacy effects on nutrient release during decomposition, which may, in turn, affect the ability of new roots to re-acquire resources, thereby generating a feedback loop. However, the linkages at the basis of this potential feedback loop remain largely unquantified. Here, we propose a trait-based root 'acquisition-defence-decomposition' conceptual framework and test the strength of relevant linkages across 90 angiosperm tree species. We show that, at the plant species level, the root-fungal symbiosis gradient within the root economics space, root chemical defence (condensed tannins), and root decomposition rate are closely linked, providing support to this framework. Beyond the dichotomy between arbuscular mycorrhizal-dominated versus ectomycorrhizal-dominated systems, we suggest a continuous shift in feedback loops, from 'high arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis-low defence-fast decomposition-inorganic nutrition' by evolutionarily ancient taxa to 'high ectomycorrhizal symbiosis-high defence-slow decomposition-organic nutrition' by more modern taxa. This 'acquisition-defence-decomposition' framework provides a foundation for testable hypotheses on multidimensional linkages between species' belowground strategies and ecosystem nutrient cycling in an evolutionary context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Qianyanzhou Ecological Research Station, Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | | | - Leho Tedersoo
- Mycology and Microbiology Center, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shenggong Li
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Han Yan
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institut für Biologie, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lei Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huimin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Qianyanzhou Ecological Research Station, Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Ning Ma
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiaoqin Dai
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Qianyanzhou Ecological Research Station, Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xiaoli Fu
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Qianyanzhou Ecological Research Station, Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Liang Kou
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Qianyanzhou Ecological Research Station, Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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2
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Cusack DF, Christoffersen B, Smith-Martin CM, Andersen KM, Cordeiro AL, Fleischer K, Wright SJ, Guerrero-Ramírez NR, Lugli LF, McCulloch LA, Sanchez-Julia M, Batterman SA, Dallstream C, Fortunel C, Toro L, Fuchslueger L, Wong MY, Yaffar D, Fisher JB, Arnaud M, Dietterich LH, Addo-Danso SD, Valverde-Barrantes OJ, Weemstra M, Ng JC, Norby RJ. Toward a coordinated understanding of hydro-biogeochemical root functions in tropical forests for application in vegetation models. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 242:351-371. [PMID: 38416367 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Tropical forest root characteristics and resource acquisition strategies are underrepresented in vegetation and global models, hampering the prediction of forest-climate feedbacks for these carbon-rich ecosystems. Lowland tropical forests often have globally unique combinations of high taxonomic and functional biodiversity, rainfall seasonality, and strongly weathered infertile soils, giving rise to distinct patterns in root traits and functions compared with higher latitude ecosystems. We provide a roadmap for integrating recent advances in our understanding of tropical forest belowground function into vegetation models, focusing on water and nutrient acquisition. We offer comparisons of recent advances in empirical and model understanding of root characteristics that represent important functional processes in tropical forests. We focus on: (1) fine-root strategies for soil resource exploration, (2) coupling and trade-offs in fine-root water vs nutrient acquisition, and (3) aboveground-belowground linkages in plant resource acquisition and use. We suggest avenues for representing these extremely diverse plant communities in computationally manageable and ecologically meaningful groups in models for linked aboveground-belowground hydro-nutrient functions. Tropical forests are undergoing warming, shifting rainfall regimes, and exacerbation of soil nutrient scarcity caused by elevated atmospheric CO2. The accurate model representation of tropical forest functions is crucial for understanding the interactions of this biome with the climate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela F Cusack
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Warner College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University, 1231 Libbie Coy Way, A104, Fort Collins, CO, 80523-1476, USA
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado, Balboa, 0843-03092, Panama
| | - Bradley Christoffersen
- School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX, 78539, USA
| | - Chris M Smith-Martin
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | | | - Amanda L Cordeiro
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Warner College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University, 1231 Libbie Coy Way, A104, Fort Collins, CO, 80523-1476, USA
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado, Balboa, 0843-03092, Panama
| | - Katrin Fleischer
- Department Biogeochemical Signals, Max-Planck-Institute for Biogeochemistry, Hans-Knöll-Straße 10, Jena, 07745, Germany
| | - S Joseph Wright
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado, Balboa, 0843-03092, Panama
| | - Nathaly R Guerrero-Ramírez
- Silviculture and Forest Ecology of Temperate Zones, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, University of Göttingen, Gottingen, 37077, Germany
- Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use (CBL), University of Göttingen, Gottingen, 37077, Germany
| | - Laynara F Lugli
- School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, 85354, Germany
| | - Lindsay A McCulloch
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 26 Oxford St., Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- National Center for Atmospheric Research, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Agency, 1850 Table Mesa Dr., Boulder, CO, 80305, USA
| | - Mareli Sanchez-Julia
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70118, USA
| | - Sarah A Batterman
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado, Balboa, 0843-03092, Panama
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY, 12545, USA
- School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Caroline Dallstream
- Department of Biology, McGill University, 1205 Av. du Docteur-Penfield, Montreal, QC, H3A 1B1, Canada
| | - Claire Fortunel
- AMAP (Botanique et Modélisation de l'Architecture des Plantes et des Végétations), Université de Montpellier, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAE, IRD, Montpellier, 34398, France
| | - Laura Toro
- Yale Applied Science Synthesis Program, The Forest School at the Yale School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Lucia Fuchslueger
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, 1030, Austria
| | - Michelle Y Wong
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY, 12545, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Daniela Yaffar
- Functional Forest Ecology, Universität Hamburg, Barsbüttel, 22885, Germany
| | - Joshua B Fisher
- Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, 1 University Drive, Orange, CA, 92866, USA
| | - Marie Arnaud
- Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences (IEES), UMR 7618, CNRS-Sorbonne University-INRAE-UPEC-IRD, Paris, 75005, France
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences & BIFOR, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Lee H Dietterich
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Warner College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University, 1231 Libbie Coy Way, A104, Fort Collins, CO, 80523-1476, USA
- U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Environmental Laboratory, Vicksburg, MS, 39180, USA
- Department of Biology, Haverford College, Haverford, PA, 19003, USA
| | - Shalom D Addo-Danso
- Forests and Climate Change Division, CSIR-Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, P.O Box UP 63 KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Oscar J Valverde-Barrantes
- Department of Biological Sciences, International Center for Tropical Biodiversity, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Monique Weemstra
- Department of Biological Sciences, International Center for Tropical Biodiversity, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Jing Cheng Ng
- Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Richard J Norby
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
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3
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Zhang Y, Cao J, Lu M, Kardol P, Wang J, Fan G, Kong D. The origin of bi-dimensionality in plant root traits. Trends Ecol Evol 2024; 39:78-88. [PMID: 37777374 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Plant roots show extraordinary diversity in form and function in heterogeneous environments. Mounting evidence has shown global bi-dimensionality in root traits, the root economics spectrum (RES), and an orthogonal dimension describing mycorrhizal collaboration; however, the origin of the bi-dimensionality remains unresolved. Here, we propose that bi-dimensionality arises from the cylindrical geometry of roots, allometry between root cortex and stele, and independence between root cell wall thickness and cell number. Root geometry and mycorrhizal collaboration may both underlie the bi-dimensionality. Further, we emphasize why plant roots should be cylindrical rather than flat. Finally, we highlight the need to integrate organ-, cellular-, and molecular-level processes driving the bi-dimensionality in plant roots to fully understand plant diversity and functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhang
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Jingjing Cao
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | | | - Paul Kardol
- Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, 75007, Sweden; Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, 90183, Sweden
| | - Junjian Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Guoqiang Fan
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Deliang Kong
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China.
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4
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Zhang Y, Cao JJ, Yang QP, Wu MZ, Zhao Y, Kong DL. The worldwide allometric relationship in anatomical structures for plant roots. PLANT DIVERSITY 2023; 45:621-629. [PMID: 38197011 PMCID: PMC10772186 DOI: 10.1016/j.pld.2023.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
The cortex (i.e., absorptive tissue) and stele (transportive vascular tissue) are fundamental to the function of plant roots. Unraveling how these anatomical structures are assembled in absorptive roots is essential for our understanding of plant ecology, physiology, and plant responses to global environmental changes. In this review, we first compile a large data set on anatomical traits in absorptive roots, including cortex thickness and stele radius, across 698 observations and 512 species. Using this data set, we reveal a common root allometry in absorptive root structures, i.e., cortex thickness increases much faster than stele radius with increasing root diameter (hereafter, root allometry). Root allometry is further validated within and across plant growth forms (woody, grass, and liana species), mycorrhiza types (arbuscular mycorrhiza, ectomycorrhiza, and orchid mycorrhizas), phylogenetic gradients (from ferns to Orchidaceae), and environmental change scenarios (e.g., elevation of atmospheric CO2 concentration and nitrogen fertilization). These findings indicate that root allometry is common in plants. Importantly, root allometry varies greatly across species. We then summarize recent research on the mechanisms of root allometry and potential issues regarding these mechanisms. We further discuss ecological and evolutionary implications of root allometry. Finally, we propose several important research directions that should be pursued regarding root allometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhang
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Jing-Jing Cao
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Qing-Pei Yang
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Ming-Zuo Wu
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Yong Zhao
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - De-Liang Kong
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
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5
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Li J, Le X, Chen X, Niklas KJ, Li X, Wu P, Zhou Y, Zhong Q, Hu D, Cheng D. The allocation of anatomical traits determines the trade-off between fine root resource acquisition-transport function. Oecologia 2023; 202:845-854. [PMID: 37624444 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05443-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Cortex radius (CR) and stele radius (SR) are important functional traits associated with the nutrient acquisition and transport functions of fine roots, respectively. However, for developmental and anatomical reasons, the resource acquisition-transport relationship of fine roots is expected to be different for different root orders. To address this issue, critical fine root anatomical traits were examined for the first three orders of roots of 59 subtropical woody plants. Designating the most distal fine roots as order one, SR scaled isometrically with respect to root radius (RR) (i.e., SR ∝ RR1.0) in the three root orders, whereas CR scaled allometrically with respect to RR (i.e., CR ∝ RR>1.0) with the numerical values of scaling exponents increasing significantly with increasing root orders thereby indicating a disproportional increase in CR with increasing root orders. There were also differences between normalized root tissue (CR/RR and SR/RR) and RR in different root orders. A negative isometric relationship (i.e., SR/RR ∝ RR-1.0) existed between SR/RR and RR in three order roots, whereas the allometric exponent between CR/RR and RR increased with root order (from 0.88 to 1.55). Collectively, the data indicate that root anatomical and functional traits change as a function of RR and that these changes need to be considered when modeling fine root resource acquisition-transport functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinlong Li
- Institute of Geography, School of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Xingui Le
- Yangjifeng National Nature Reserve Administration of Jiangxi Province, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xiaoping Chen
- Institute of Geography, School of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Ecophysiology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Karl J Niklas
- School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Xueqin Li
- Institute of Geography, School of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Panpan Wu
- Institute of Geography, School of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Yongjiao Zhou
- Institute of Geography, School of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Quanlin Zhong
- Institute of Geography, School of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Dandan Hu
- Institute of Geography, School of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Dongliang Cheng
- Institute of Geography, School of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Ecophysiology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China.
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Li Z, Wang S, Wang W, Gu J, Wang Y. The Hierarchy of Protoxylem Groupings in Primary Root and Their Plasticity to Nitrogen Addition in Three Tree Species. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:903318. [PMID: 35812911 PMCID: PMC9260270 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.903318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Protoxylem grouping (PG), a classification based on the number of protoxylem poles, is a crucial indicator related to other functional traits in fine roots, affecting growth and survival of individual root. However, within root system, less is known about the arrangement of PG. Moreover, the responses of PG to fertilization are still unclear. Here, we selected three common hardwood species in Northeast China, Juglans mandshurica, Fraxinus mandshurica, and Phellodendron amurense, conducted root pruning and nutrient addition. In this study, we analyzed the PG, morphology, and other anatomy traits of newly formed root branches. The results showed all root length, diameter, and stele, as well as hydraulic conductivity, were significantly positive related to the PG number, and the PG number generally decreased with ascending root developmental order; these patterns were independent of species and fertilization. Additionally, we also found the plasticity of PGs to environmental changes, in terms of the increased frequency of high PG roots after fertilization, significantly in J. mandshurica and F. mandshurica. Therefore, the heterogeneity, hierarchy, and plasticity of individual roots within root system may be widespread in woody plants, which is of great significance to deepen our understanding in root growth and development, as well as the belowground ecological process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyue Li
- Mountain Tai Forest Ecosystem Research Station of State Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Forestry, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an, China
| | - Siyuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Wenna Wang
- Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Jiacun Gu
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Mountain Tai Forest Ecosystem Research Station of State Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Forestry, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an, China
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7
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Zhou M, Guo Y, Sheng J, Yuan Y, Zhang WH, Bai W. Using anatomical traits to understand root functions across root orders of herbaceous species in a temperate steppe. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2022; 234:422-434. [PMID: 35048364 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Root anatomical traits play crucial roles in understanding root functions and root form-function linkages. However, the root anatomy and form-function linkages of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous herbs remain largely unknown. We measured order-based anatomical traits and mycorrhizal colonization rates of 32 perennial herbs of monocotyledons and dicotyledons in a temperate steppe. For monocots, relative constant proportion of cortex and mycorrhizal colonization rates, but increased cell-wall thickening of the endodermis and proportion of stele were observed across root orders, indicating a slight reduction in absorption capacity and improvement in transportation capacity across orders. For dicots, the cortex and mycorrhizal colonization disappeared in the fourth-order and/or fifth-order roots, whereas the secondary vascular tissue increased markedly, suggesting significant transition of root functions from absorption to transportation across root orders. The allometric relationships between stele and cortex differed across root orders and plant groups, suggesting different strategies to coordinate the absorption and transportation functions among plant groups. In summary, our results revealed different functional transition patterns across root orders and distinct strategies for coordinating the absorption and transportation of root system between monocots and dicots. These findings will contribute to our understanding of the root form and functions in herbaceous species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
| | - Yumeng Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jun Sheng
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yujia Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Wen-Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Wenming Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
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8
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Ning Z, Li Y, Zhao X, Han D, Zhan J. Comparison of Leaf and Fine Root Traits Between Annuals and Perennials, Implicating the Mechanism of Species Changes in Desertified Grasslands. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 12:778547. [PMID: 35185947 PMCID: PMC8854787 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.778547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Annual species show traits, such as shortleaf lifetimes, higher specific leaf area, and leaf nutrient concentrations, that provided a more rapid resource acquisition compared to perennials. However, the comparison of root traits between the annuals and perennials is extremely limited, as well as the trade-offs of leaf and fine root traits, and resource allocation between leaf and root, which may provide insight into the mechanism of species changes in arid and semi-arid areas. With lab analysis and field observation, 12 traits of leaf and fine root of 54 dominant species from Horqin Sandy Land, Northeastern China were measured. The organization of leaf and fine root traits, and coordination between leaf and fine root traits of annual and perennial plants were examined. Results showed that there were differences between annuals and perennials in several leaves and fine root traits important in resource acquisition and conservation. Annuals had higher leaf area (LA), specific LA (SLA), and specific root length (SRL) but lower leaf dry-matter content (LDMC), leaf tissue density (LTD), leaf carbon concentration (LC), and fine root dry-matter content (FRDMC) than perennials. Leaf nitrogen (LN) concentration and fine root nitrogen concentration (FRN) were negatively related to LTD and FRDMC in annuals, while FRN was positively related to FRTD and fine root carbon concentration (FRC), and LA was positively related to LN in perennials. These implied that annuals exhibited tough tissue and low palatability, but perennials tend to have smaller leaves to reduce metabolism when N is insufficient. Annuals showed significant positive correlations between FRC/FRDMC and LDMC/LTD/LC, suggesting a proportional allocation of photosynthate between leaf and fine root. In perennials, significant negative correlations were detected between LN, LC, and SRL, fine root tissue density (FRTD), as well as between LA and FRTD/FRC. These indicated that perennials tend to allocate more photosynthate to construct a deeper and rigid roots system to improve resource absorption capacity in resource-limited habitats. Our findings suggested that annuals and perennials differed considerably in terms of adaptation, resource acquisition, and allocation strategies, which might be partly responsible for species changes in desertified grasslands. More broadly, this work might be conducive to understand the mechanism of species changes and could also provide support to the management and restoration of desertified grassland in arid and semi-arid areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiying Ning
- Naiman Desertification Research Station, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yulin Li
- Naiman Desertification Research Station, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xueyong Zhao
- Naiman Desertification Research Station, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Dan Han
- Yangling Agricultural Hi-Tech Industries Demonstration Zone, Xi’an, China
| | - Jin Zhan
- Naiman Desertification Research Station, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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9
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An N, Lu N, Fu B, Chen W, Keyimu M, Wang M. Evidence of Differences in Covariation Among Root Traits Across Plant Growth Forms, Mycorrhizal Types, and Biomes. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 12:785589. [PMID: 35154176 PMCID: PMC8836870 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.785589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Fine roots play an important role in plant ecological strategies, adaptation to environmental constraints, and ecosystem functions. Covariation among root traits influence the physiological and ecological processes of plants and ecosystems. Root trait covariation in multiple dimensions at the global scale has been broadly discussed. How fine-root traits covary at the regional scale and whether the covariation is generalizable across plant growth forms, mycorrhizal types, and biomes are largely unknown. Here, we collected six key traits - namely root diameter (RD), specific root length (SRL), root tissue density (RTD), root C content (RCC), root N content (RNC), and root C:N ratio (RCN) - of first- and second-order roots of 306 species from 94 sampling sites across China. We examined the covariation in root traits among different plant growth forms, mycorrhizal types, and biomes using the phylogenetic principal component analysis (pPCA). Three independent dimensions of the covariation in root traits were identified, accounting for 39.0, 26.1, and 20.2% of the total variation, respectively. The first dimension was represented by SRL, RNC, RTD, and RCN, which was in line with the root economics spectrum (RES). The second dimension described a negative relationship between RD and SRL, and the third dimension was represented by RCC. These three main principal components were mainly influenced by biome and mycorrhizal type. Herbaceous and ectomycorrhizal species showed a more consistent pattern with the RES, in which RD, RTD, and RCN were negatively correlated with SRL and RNC within the first axis compared with woody and arbuscular mycorrhizal species, respectively. Our results highlight the roles of plant growth form, mycorrhizal type, and biome in shaping root trait covariation, suggesting that root trait relationships in specific regions may not be generalized from global-scale analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nannan An
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bojie Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Weiliang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
| | - Maierdang Keyimu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
| | - Mengyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Valverde-Barrantes OJ, Authier L, Schimann H, Baraloto C. Root anatomy helps to reconcile observed root trait syndromes in tropical tree species. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2021; 108:744-755. [PMID: 34028799 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.1659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE Studying the organization of functional traits in plant leaves and stems has revealed notable patterns linking function and form; however, evidence of similarly robust organization in root tissues remains controversial. We posit that anatomical traits in roots can provide insight on the overall organization of the root system. We hypothesized that size variation in the tissue outside the stele is related in a nonlinear fashion with functional traits associated with direct resource uptake, including a negative relationship with root architectural traits, and that similar relationships detected in tropical areas also hold true in other biomes. METHODS We addressed our hypotheses using empirical data from 24 tropical tree species in French Guiana, including anatomical measurements in first order roots and functional trait description for the entire fine root system. In addition, we compiled a global meta-analysis of root traits for 500+ forest species across tropical, subtropical, and temperate forests. RESULTS Our results supported the expected nonlinear relationships between cortical size and morphological traits and a negative linear trend with architectural traits. We confirmed a global negative relationship among specific root length (SRL), diameter, and tissue density, suggesting similar anatomical constraints in root systems across woody plants. However, the importance of factors varies across biomes, possibly related to the unequal phylogenetic representation across latitudes. CONCLUSIONS Our findings imply that the rhizocentric hypothesis can be a valuable approach to understand fine root trait syndromes and the evolution of absorptive roots in vascular plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar J Valverde-Barrantes
- Institute of Environment, International Center of Tropical Biodiversity, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Louise Authier
- INRAE - UMR Écologie des Forêts de Guyane (CNRS, AgroParisTech, CIRAD, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles), Kourou, France
| | - Heidy Schimann
- INRAE - UMR Écologie des Forêts de Guyane (CNRS, AgroParisTech, CIRAD, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles), Kourou, France
| | - Christopher Baraloto
- Institute of Environment, International Center of Tropical Biodiversity, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
- INRAE - UMR Écologie des Forêts de Guyane (CNRS, AgroParisTech, CIRAD, Université de Guyane, Université des Antilles), Kourou, France
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