Abstract
Spatial and temporal variability is an inevitable element in most field ecological studies. Belowground, this temporal variability and spatial patchiness is also to be expected, even though it may be less immediately apparent. Thus, assessment of root system phenomena such as production or nutrient uptake in the heterogeneous soil environment is a problem requiring intensive sampling combined with some manner of coping with the variability. Improved resolution from increased sample size often reaches a point of diminishing gains and unreasonable costs. Furthermore, practical constraints often limit the number of samples that can be taken. Use of tracers, such as radioactive isotopes, provides numerous advantages for nondestructively tracking some belowground processes. Because this can be done nondestructively, the same plants or plots can be followed through time which reduces the variability in the determinations. This chapter will portray two examples of the use of tracers in root system function research and discuss these in relation to alternative approaches.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Aber JD, Melillo JM, Nadelhoffer KJ, McClaugherty CA, Pastor J (1985) Fine root turnover in forest ecosystems in relation to quantity and form of nitrogen availability: a comparison of two methods. Oecologia (Berl) 66: 317–321
Caldwell MM, Camp LB (1974) Belowground productivity of two cool desert communities. Oecologia (Berl) 17: 123–130
Caldwell MM, White RS, Moore RT, Camp LB (1977) Carbon balance, productivity and water use of cold-winter desert shrub communities dominated by C3 and C4 species. Oecologia (Berl) 29: 275–300
Caldwell MM, Eissenstat DM, Richards JH, Allen MF (1985) Competition for phosphorus: Differential uptake from dual-isotope-labeled soil interspace between shrub and grass. Science 229: 384–386
Caldwell MM (1986) Competition between root systems in natural communities. In: Gregory PJ, Lake JV, Rose D (eds.) Root Development and Function: Effects of the Physical Environment. Cambridge Univ. Press, in press
Fabio A, Persson HA, Steen E (1985) Growth dynamics of superficial roots in Portuguese plantations of Eucalyptus globulus Labill, studied with a mesh bag technique. Plant and Soil 83: 233–242
Fitter AH (1982) Morphometric analysis of root systems: application of the technique and influence of soil fertility on root system development in two herbaceous species. Plant, Cell and Environment 5: 312–322
Hackett C (1968) A study of the root system of barley. I. Effects of nutrition on two varieties. New Phytol 67: 287–299
Hansson A, Steen E (1984) Methods of calculating root production and nitrogen uptake in an annual crop. Swedish J Agric Res 14: 191–200
Lauenroth WK, Whitman WC (1977) Dynamics of dry matter production in a mixed-grass prairie in western North Dakota. Oecologia 27: 339–351
Marshall JD, Waring RH (1985) Predicting fine root production and turnover by monitoring root starch and soil temperature. Can J For Res 15: 791–800
Milchunas DG, Lauenroth WK, Singh JS, Cole CV, Hunt HW (1985) Root turnover and production by 14C dilution: implications of carbon partitioning in plants. Plant and Soil 88: 353–365
Persson H (1979) Fine-root production, mortality and decomposition in forest ecosystems. Vegetatio 41: 101–109
Persson H (1980) Spatial distribution of fine-root growth, mortality and decomposition in a young Scots pine stand in Central Sweden. Oikos 34: 77–87
Robinson D, Rorison IH (1983) A comparison of the responses of Lolium perenne L., Holcus lanatus L. and Deschampsia flexuosa (L.) Trin. to a localized supply of nitrogen. New Phytol 94: 263–273
Runge M (1983) Physiology and ecology of nitrogen nutrition. In: Lange OL, Nobel PS, Osmond C, Ziegler H (eds) Encyclopedia of Plant Physiology, New Series, Vol 12C. Springer Verlag, Berlin-Heidelberg-New York, pp 163–200
Shierlaw J, Alston AM (1984) Effect of soil compaction on root growth and uptake of phosphorus. Plant and Soil 77: 15–28
St John TV, Coleman DC, Reid CPP (1983) Growth and spatial distribution of nutrient-absorbing organs: selective exploitation of soil heterogeneity. Plant and Soil 71: 487–493
Singh JS, Lauenroth WK, Hunt HW, Swift DM (1984) Bias and random errors in estimators of net root production: A simulation approach. Ecology 65: 1760–1764
Snedecor GW, Cochran WG (1967) Statistical Methods. Iowa State Univ. Press, Ames
Vogt KA, Grier CC, Gower ST, Sprugel DG, Vogt DJ (1986) Overestimation of net root production: a real or imaginary problem? Ecology 67: 577–579
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1987 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Caldwell, M.M., Eissenstat, D.M. (1987). Coping with variability: Examples of tracer use in root function studies. In: Tenhunen, J.D., Catarino, F.M., Lange, O.L., Oechel, W.C. (eds) Plant Response to Stress. NATO ASI Series, vol 15. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-70868-8_5
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-70868-8_5
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-70870-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-70868-8
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive