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134 results for “root traits”
Seedling traits from root to shoot exhibit genetic diversity and distinct responses to environmental heterogeneity within a tree population
<p>Phenotypic diversity within plant species is crucial to shaping evolutionary responses of populations and interactions among species, yet intraspecific genetic variability notably in roots has attracted little attention. Further, evidence for the root−shoot trait synchronisation remains inconclusive, narrowing our understanding of the role that belowground traits play in local adaptation. We applied broad 'top-to-toe' phenotyping to a model system whose native environmental conditions were simulated in experimental settings. Fifteen maternal families of Norway spruce <i>Picea abies </i>from southern Finland grew in six combinations of two simulated growing seasons and three soil treatments. We scored variation in 25 functional traits, including size, architecture and morphology of intact root systems, and shoot growth and phenology. Careful phenotyping of roots uncovered five trait dimensions, with root size, architecture and morphology forming the three largest axes of variation. Dimensions varied in their treatment responses. We observed among-family differences in all trait dimensions, marking substantial within-population genetic diversity. For example, average total root length varied almost twofold among families, but family × soil interactions indicated treatment-specific estimates of genetic variance. Mirroring root traits, phenotypic plasticity and genetic variation characterised shoot growth and phenology. In all, the complete phenotypic dataset yielded six trait dimensions, with assorted measures of root system and shoot size composing the main axis of variation. Although plastic and genetically variable, root architecture and morphology were not associated with shoot growth in any treatment. Also phenology and root-to-shoot ratio were detached from the primary axis of trait variability. Our results demonstrate that complex within-species patterns of trait covariation can be observed even locally and that phenotypic variation in independent trait dimensions reflecting divergent growth strategies is under genetic control. More accurate predictions of population and species responses to changes in the environment can be achieved when such intraspecific diversity is taken into account.</p>
Data from: Community- weighted mean plant traits predict small scale distribution of insect root herbivore abundance
Small scale distribution of insect root herbivores may promote plant species diversity by creating patches of different herbivore pressure. However, determinants of small scale distribution of insect root herbivores, and impact of land use intensity on their small scale distribution are largely unknown. We sampled insect root herbivores and measured vegetation parameters and soil water content along transects in grasslands of different management intensity in three regions in Germany. We calculated community-weighted mean plant traits to test whether the functional plant community composition determines the small scale distribution of insect root herbivores. To analyze spatial patterns in plant species and trait composition and insect root herbivore abundance we computed Mantel correlograms. Insect root herbivores mainly comprised click beetle (Coleoptera, Elateridae) larvae (43%) in the investigated grasslands. Total insect root herbivore numbers were positively related to community-weighted mean traits indicating high plant growth rates and biomass (specific leaf area, reproductive- and vegetative plant height), and negatively related to plant traits indicating poor tissue quality (leaf C/N ratio). Generalist Elaterid larvae, when analyzed independently, were also positively related to high plant growth rates and furthermore to root dry mass, but were not related to tissue quality. Insect root herbivore numbers were not related to plant cover, plant species richness and soil water content. Plant species composition and to a lesser extent plant trait composition displayed spatial autocorrelation, which was not influenced by land use intensity. Insect root herbivore abundance was not spatially autocorrelated. We conclude that in semi-natural grasslands with a high share of generalist insect root herbivores, insect root herbivores affiliate with large, fast growing plants, presumably because of availability of high quantities of food. Affiliation of insect root herbivores with large, fast growing plants may counteract dominance of those species, thus promoting plant diversity.
Data from: Root foraging performance and life-history traits
Plants use their roots to forage for nutrients in heterogeneous soil environments, but different plant species vastly differ in the intensity of foraging they perform. This diversity suggests the existence of constraints on foraging at the species level. We therefore examined the relationships between the intensity of root foraging and plant body traits across species in order to estimate the degree of coordination between plant body traits and root foraging as a form of plant behavior. We cultivated 37 perennial herbaceous Central European species from open terrestrial habitats in pots with three different spatial gradients of nutrient availability (steep, shallow and no gradient). We assessed the intensity of foraging as differences in root placement inside pots with and without a spatial gradient of resource supply. For the same set of species, we retrieved data about body traits from available databases: maximum height at maturity, mean area of leaf, specific leaf area, shoot lifespan, ability to self-propagate clonally, maximal lateral spread (in clonal plants only), realized vegetative growth in cultivation and realized seed regeneration in cultivation. Clonal plants and plants with extensive vegetative growth showed considerably weaker foraging than their non-clonal or slow-growing counterparts. There was no phylogenetic signal in the amount of expressed root foraging intensity. Since clonal plants foraged less than non-clonals and foraging intensity did not seem to be correlated with species phylogeny, we hypothesize that clonal growth itself (i.e. the ability to develop at least partly self-sustaining ramets) may be an answer to soil heterogeneity. Whereas unitary plants use roots as organs specialized for both resource acquisition and transport to overcome spatial heterogeneity in resource supply, clonal plants separate these two functions. Becoming a clonal plant allows higher specialization at the organ level, since a typical clonal plant can be viewed as a network of self-sustainable harvesting units connected together with specialized high-throughput connection organs. This may be an effective alternative for coping with spatial heterogeneity in resource availability.
Data from: Multi-dimensional patterns of variation in root traits among coexisting herbaceous species in temperate steppes
1. Characterizing patterns of variation in plant traits across species and environmental gradients is critical for understanding performance of species in ecosystems. One-dimensional pattern of variation has been demonstrated in leaf traits, which is known as the leaf economic spectrum. However, it is unclear whether such a spectrum exists for root traits. 2. For roots of 15 species from temperate grasslands, we determined respiration rate, relative growth rate, lifespan as well as 10 morphological, chemical and anatomical root traits. We further evaluated pairwise and multiple-trait relationships by the Pearson's correlation and principle component analysis including phylogenetic contrasts. 3. We found that root functions were related to three clusters of variation. Root respiration rate and relative growth rate were positively correlated with average root diameter, but they were negatively correlated with specific root length. In contrast, root lifespan was not correlated with average root diameter, but it was positively correlated with specific root length. These results are inconsistent with the presumption of the root economic spectrum. 4. The principle components analysis revealed a multi-dimensional pattern of variation in root traits among the 15 coexisting herbaceous species. Moreover, species within the same phylogenetic clades tended to have similar root trait syndromes. Most of the root traits exhibited a significant phylogenetic signal. 5. Synthesis. Our results do not support a one-dimensional root economic spectrum in the coexisting herbaceous species of temperate grasslands. In contrast, the pattern of variation in root traits was multi-dimensional. We further demonstrated that species in different phylogenetic clades possess diverse root trait syndromes for efficient resource acquisition. Our findings provide a next step in understanding root functions and plant strategies in temperate grasslands.
Data from: Root community traits along a land use gradient: evidence of a community-level economics spectrum
1. There is a fundamental trade-off between leaf traits associated with either resource acquisition or resource conservation. This gradient of trait variation, called the economics spectrum also applies to fine roots but whether it is consistent for coarse roots or at the plant community level remains untested. 2. We measured a set of morphological and chemical root traits at a community level (functional parameters; FP) in 20 plant communities located along land-use intensity gradients and across 3 climatic zones (Tropical, Mediterranean and Montane). We hypothesized (i) the existence of a root economics spectrum in plant communities consistent within root types (fine, < 2 mm; coarse, 2-5 mm) but that ii) variations in root traits occur with soil depths (top 20 cm of soil and 100-150 cm deep) and iii) along land use gradients thus leading to variation in root FP. 3. Root FP co-varied, in line with the resource acquisition-conservation trade-off, from communities with root FP syndromes associated to resource acquisition (e.g. high specific root length, SRL; thin diameters and low root dry matter contents, RDMC) to root FP syndromes associated with resource conservation (e.g. low SRL, thick diameters and high RDMC). This pattern was consistent for both fine and coarse roots indicating a strong consistency of a trade-off between resource acquisition and conservation for plant roots. 4. Roots had different suites of traits at different depths, suggesting a disparity in root function and exploitation capacities. Shallow, fine roots were thinner, richer in nitrogen and with lower lignin concentrations associated to greater exploitation capacities compared to deep, fine roots. However, shallow coarse roots were richer in nitrogen, carbon and soluble concentrations than deep, coarse roots. 5. Fine root parameters of highly disturbed, herbaceous dominated plant communities in poorer soils were associated to foraging strategies, i.e. greater SRL and lower lignin and RDMC than those from less disturbed communities. Coarse roots however, were less sensitive to the land use gradient. 6. Synthesis This study demonstrates the existence of a general trade-off in root construction at a community level, which operates within all root types suggesting that all plant tissues are controlled by the trade-off between resource acquisition and conservation.
Root traits and soil microorganisms as drivers of plant-soil feedbacks within the sub-arctic tundra meadow
<p>Plant-soil feedback (PSF) can influence the composition of various soil microorganisms (antagonistic and mutualistic), which can have reciprocal effects on plants. At the same time, we do not understand the effects of fine root traits in moderating microbial-driven PSF. We therefore conducted a greenhouse study to aid in understanding the relationship between root traits, soil community composition (PLFAs and high-throughput sequencing data) and plant-soil feedback (PSF). These data therefore include datasets with fine root traits, raw sequence reads from high-throughput sequencing for soil fungi, phospholipid fatty acid data and biomass data after the plant-soil feedback study.</p>
Root anatomy helps to reconcile observed root trait syndromes in tropical tree species
<p>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 hypothesize that A) size variation in the tissue outside the stele relates in a non-linear fashion with functional traits associated with direct resource uptake, including a negative relationship with root architectural traits; and B) similar relationships detected in tropical areas also hold true in other biomes.</p> <p>We address 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 trait with 500+ forest species across tropical, subtropical and temperate forests.</p> <p>Our results supported the expected non-linear relationships between cortical size and morphological traits, and a negative linear trend with architectural traits. We confirmed a global negative relationship between SRL, diameter and tissue density, suggesting similar anatomical constraints in root systems across woody plants. However the importance of factors vary across biomes, possibly related to the unequal phylogenetic representation of families across latitudes.</p> <p>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.</p>
Root traits, root diameter distribution and soil parameters at the community level along a mediterranean successional gradient
<p>The data correspond to average root traits at the community level, and parameters describing the root diameter distribution at the community level. Soil parameters are also indicated. All measurements were conducted along a successional gradient on roadsides in the Mediterranean region (Montpellier, France, 43°6′N, 3°8′E). These data were used in the article entitled "Dissecting fine root diameter distribution at the community level captures root morpological diversity" from Erktan, A., Roumet, C., Munoz, F (in press) in Oikos (2022).</p>
Data for: Plasticity and co-variation of root traits govern phosphorus acquisition among 20 wheat genotypes
<p>Trait plasticity (variation of a trait under environmental variability or gradients) and trait integration are both crucial for plant adaption to environmental change. Variations in different suite of root traits such as biomass allocation, morphology and physiology underlie diverse phosphorus (P) acquisition strategies among plants. Yet, how the intraspecific plasticity and integration of root traits influence plant adaptation to different P supply remains obscure. To characterize diverse adaptive strategies in relation to plant P acquisition, eight root traits were assessed in 20 wheat (<em>Triticum aestivum</em> L.) genotypes grown in a culture room with low and high P supply. High P supply increased shoot P accumulation and biomass of all wheat genotypes. The shoot P accumulation in genotypes with high P sensitivity (PS: calculated as shoot P content at low P / shoot P content at high P supply) was higher with high P supply and lower with low P supply compared with that in the genotypes with low PS. The high-PS genotypes exhibited larger variation in root length, root/shoot ratio and rhizosphere pH across P supplies than the low-PS genotypes, suggesting an integrated response at the whole-plant level. At low P supply, the high-PS genotypes had greater root length and specific root length, but lower acid phosphatase activity than the low-PS genotypes, which suggests contrasting P-acquisition strategies across the genotypes. Strong co-variation of root traits occurred across low-PS genotypes regardless of P supply; conversely, the high-PS genotypes only exhibited strong trait integration at low P supply, whereas high P supply sharply reduced root trait co-variation. Our findings suggest that P stress may strengthen root trait integration in wheat plants, and that both plasticity and integration of root traits drive plant adaptive strategies and tolerance to P-deficiency stress.</p>
Litter and root traits control soil microbial composition and enzyme activities in 28 common subtropical tree species
<p><span>1. </span><span>Plant trait-based approaches are frequently used to explore the linkages between aboveground plant communities and belowground ecosystem functions. However, the role of plant leaf litter and living root traits in driving soil microbial biomass, community composition, and enzyme activities has rarely been explored.</span></p> <p><span>2. </span><span>Here, we measured the soil microbial biomass, community composition and enzyme activities related to carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) acquisition under three-year-old monocultures of 28 common subtropical tree species in China.</span></p> <p><span>3. </span><span>We found that plant leaf litter and absorptive root traits, including leaf litter C content, litter water holding capacity, and root N content, were the three best predictors for soil microbial biomass and enzyme activities. In particular, resource-exploitative tree species with higher root N contents were associated with microbial communities with lower fungi to bacteria ratios and lower C- and P-acquisition enzyme activities. Tree species with higher leaf litter water holding capacity were associated with microbial resource acquisition strategies for C and P acquisition.</span></p> <p><span>4. </span><span>Synthesis: Our findings highlighted that plant leaf litter and root traits are important for mechanistically understanding the ecological linkage between the plant community and ecosystem functions.</span></p>
Contrasting mycorrhizal growth responses in native and invasive woody species are associated with distinct root trait syndromes
<ol> <li>Invasive plant species often express resource-acquisitive leaf traits that support rapid growth, but associated fine root traits and the role of microbial mutualists in invader whole-plant functioning remains poorly understood.</li> <li>We performed an experiment of 12 phylogenetically-grouped native and non-native, invasive woody species, grown with or without a common inoculum of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) across two nutrient levels. We measured 10 fine root traits associated with nutrient uptake and suitability of AMF colonization.</li> <li>The presence of AMF increased the growth rate of all species, but native species were significantly more dependent on AMF than invaders. Further, invaders expressed a distinct syndrome of first-order root traits, including longer, thinner roots of high specific root length, greater branching intensity, and lower tissue density, which are traits associated with rapid nutrient uptake and low AMF association. This syndrome was independent of phylogeny, AMF inoculation, and soil fertility.</li> <li>An acquisitive fine root trait syndrome for invaders supports high photosynthetic and growth rates, linking above- and below-ground functioning. The occurrence of this syndrome across phylogenetic groups indicates that lineages of woody invaders typically associated with arbuscular mycorrhizas may be generally less dependent on AMF than native species.</li> </ol>
Litter and root traits control soil microbial composition and enzyme activities in 28 common subtropical tree species
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Data from: Geographic scale and disturbance influence intraspecific trait variability in leaves and roots of North American understory plants
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Contrasting mycorrhizal growth responses in native and invasive woody species are associated with distinct root trait syndromes
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Data from: Using root traits to understand temporal changes in biodiversity effects in grassland mixtures.
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Root anatomy helps to reconcile observed root trait syndromes in tropical tree species
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Data from: Individual and non-additive effects of exotic sap-feeders on root functional and mycorrhizal traits of a shared conifer host
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Leaf, wood and root traits and demographic rates of temperate tree species
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Data from: Root foraging performance and life-history traits
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Patterns of genetic diversity vary among shoot and root functional traits in Norway spruce (Picea abies) along a latitudinal gradient
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