Dataset Information

The response of fine root morphological and physiological traits to added nitrogen in Schrenk's spruce (Picea schrenkiana) of the Tianshan mountains, China.

ABSTRACT: Fine roots are essential for water and nutrient uptake in plants, but little is known about the variation in fine root traits and the underlying mechanisms that drive it. Understanding the responses of fine root function traits to changing environmental conditions and the role of fine root traits as drivers of forest ecosystem processes are critical for informing physiological and ecological theory as well as ecosystem management. We measured morphological and physiological traits of fine roots from six soil layers and three diameter classes in Schrenk's spruce (Picea shrenkiana) forests of the Tianshan mountains, China. We found significant effects of nitrogen addition on these morphological and physiological traits, which varied by soil layer and root diameter. Specifically, specific root length (SRL) was higher in medium N addition group (N2) than in control group (N0). Specific root area (SRA) was higher in the control group (N0) than fertilized groups (N1, N2 and N3). Root tissue density (RTD) was higher in low N addition group (N1) than in the other group. Root dry matter content had no significant difference among four treatment groups. SRL, SRA, and RTD of fine roots in different diameter classes were all significantly different between high N addition (N3) and the control (N0) groups. The physiological characteristics of fine roots showed that soluble sugar (SS), fine root vitality (FRV), and tissue water content (TWC) in different soil layers were higher in the control group than in the fertilized groups. While soluble protein (SP), malondialdehyde (MDA) and free proline (FP) were lower in the control group (N0) than in the fertilized groups. In addition, SS, FRV, SP, TWC, FP, and MDA in all N addition treatments groups were significantly different from the control group. Fine root morphological traits were closely related to physiological traits, and added nitrogen inputs change these correlations. Our study confirms that nitrogen addition has specific effects on the morphological and physiological traits of fine roots of Schrenk's spruce, and the effects of N addition vary according to the amount added.

SUBMITTER: Gong L

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6898987 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Soil microorganisms are the key driver of the geochemical cycle in forest ecosystem. Changes in litter and roots can affect soil microbial activities and nutrient cycling; however, the impact of this change on soil microbial community composition and function remain unclear. Here, we explored the effects of litter and root manipulations [control (CK), doubled litter input (DL), litter removal (NL), root exclusion (NR), and a combination of litter removal and root exclusion (NI)] on soil bacterial and fungal communities and functional groups during a 2-year field experiment, using illumina HiSeq sequencing coupled with the function prediction platform of PICRUSt and FUNGuild. Our results showed that litter and root removal decreased the diversity of soil bacteria and fungi (AEC, Shannon, and Chao1). The bacterial communities under different treatments were dominated by the phyla Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Actinomycetes, and NL and NR reduced the relative abundance of the first two phyla. For the fungal communities, Basidiomycetes, Ascomycota, and Mortierellomycota were the dominant phyla. DL increased the relative abundance of Basidiomycetes, while NL and NR decreased the relative abundance of Ascomycota. We also found that litter and root manipulations altered the functional groups related to the metabolism of cofactors and vitamins, lipid metabolism, biosynthesis of other secondary metabolites, environmental adaptation, cell growth, and death. The functional groups including ectomycorrhizal, ectomycorrhizal-orchid mycorrhizal root-associated biotrophs and soil saprotrophs in the fungal community were also different among the different treatments. Soil organic carbon (SOC), pH, and soil water content are important factors driving changes in bacterial and fungal communities, respectively. Our results demonstrate that the changes in plant detritus altered the soil microbial community structure and function by affecting soil physicochemical factors, which provides important data for understanding the material cycle of forest ecosystems under global change.

Dataset Information

The response of fine root morphological and physiological traits to added nitrogen in Schrenk's spruce (Picea schrenkiana) of the Tianshan mountains, China.

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