Abstract:
Objective : To analyze the difference of fine root respiration and its morphological and chemical characters among different provenances of Cunninghamia lanceolata for understanding the relationship between root respiration and other root characteristics.
Methods: Based on the 10 provenances of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.) provenances homogenous garden in Dagangshan, Jiangxi Province, the variation between provenances of fine root respiration, morphology and chemical traits of Chinese fir and the correlation among different traits were studied.
Results: The coefficient of variation of fine root respiration, fine root morphological traits and chemical traits among provenances of Chinese fir were 40.42%, 18.82%~22.88% and 7.84%~19.73%, respectively. There were significant differences in fine root respiration among provenances (p<0.05). The fine root respiration rate was the highest in Kaihua Zhejiang provenances (7.97 ± 1.08 nmol·g−1·s−1) and the lowest in Yongchuan provenances (1.63 ± 0.40 nmol·g−1·s−1 nmol·g−1·s−1). The morphological and chemical characters of fine roots of Chinese fir from different provenances were also significantly different (p<0.05). The provenances of Jian 'ou Fujian had the largest specific root length (579.17 ± 17.11 cm·g−1), root specific surface area (139.97 ± 10.18 cm2·g−1). The root C content (458.12 ± 5.40 g·kg−1) and N content (10.58 ± 0.02 g·kg−1) were the largest in Kaihua Zhejiang provenance; The local provenances of Fenyi Jiangxi Province had the largest root tissue density (0.62 ± 0.12 g·cm−3), and the lowest root N content (6.38 ± 0.11 g·kg−1), C:P (481.39 ± 8.94), N:P (10.64 ± 0.41). The trade-off analysis of fine root respiration, morphological and chemical traits of Chinese firprovenances showed that there was a significant correlation between fine root respiration and root nitrogen content (p<0.05), but insignificant correlation with specific root length and root tissue density.
Conclusion : The adaptation strategies of fine roots of Chinese fir provenances to environmental changes are different. The correlation between fine root respiration and root morphological traits is little, and it is mainly related to root N content.