Relationship between root tip morphology and growth conditions across Macaranga and Shorea species in a tropical lowland forest of Peninsula Malaysia

Aims The relationship between functional traits and growth conditions across tree species provides critical information for understanding resource acquisition strategy of each species. This study aims to elucidate the relationship between root tip morphology and growth conditions with considering th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Plant and soil Vol. 481; no. 1-2; pp. 621 - 639
Main Authors: Ugawa, Shin, Kuninaka, Wataru, Hayata, Keisuke, Maruta, Naoko, Ohashi, Syota, Kubota, Victoria Rika, Rozita, Ahmad, Wan Rasidah, Kadir
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01-12-2022
Springer
Springer Nature B.V
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Summary:Aims The relationship between functional traits and growth conditions across tree species provides critical information for understanding resource acquisition strategy of each species. This study aims to elucidate the relationship between root tip morphology and growth conditions with considering the phylogenetic difference in a primary lowland dipterocarp forest. Methods We surveyed growth conditions for 13 target species of Macaranga and Shorea , i.e., light condition, soil physical properties, and soil nitrogen (N) dynamics, and root tip morphology, including specific root tip length (SRLt), root tip diameter (RDt), and root tip tissue density (RTDt) and analyzed their relationships considering the difference between genera. Results The differences in SRLt and RDt between two genera, Macaranga and Shorea , were validated by the difference in environmental factors, i.e., light intensity and soil ammonification rate. With considering the difference between genera, we detected an interspecific variation in SRLt, RDt, and RTDt across all 13 species in response to differences in environmental factors such as light intensity, soil physical properties, soil nitrification, and N mineralization rates. Among the same species, the SRLt decreased with increasing light intensity and increased with increasing nitrification rates, while the RDt exhibited an opposite trend. Conclusion We confirmed that the root tip morphology varies according to growth conditions in tropical tree species: shade-tolerant tree species and/or tree species grown in fertile condition had root tips with high efficiency of soil exploration or exploitation per a unit of root biomass. This variation pattern was different than that of temperate tree species.
ISSN:0032-079X
1573-5036
DOI:10.1007/s11104-022-05665-1