Ebook: The Supporting Roots of Trees and Woody Plants: Form, Function and Physiology

This publication comprises the proceedings of the first International Conference devoted to the structural roots of trees and woody plants. 'The Supporting Roots - Structure and Function,' 20-24 July 1998, Bordeaux, France. The meeting was held under the auspices ofIUFRO WPS 2. 01. 13 'Root Physiology and Symbiosis,' and its aim was to bring together scientific researchers, foresters and arboriculturalists, to discuss current problems in structural root research and disseminate knowledge to an audience from a wide disciplinary background. For the first time in an international conference, emphasis was placed on presenting recent reseach in the field of tree anchorage mechanics and root biomechanics. The way in which tree stability can be affected by root system symmetry and architecture was addressed, as well as how movement during wind sway can influence the development and shape of woody roots. The role of different nursery and planting techniques was discussed, in relation to effects on root system form and development. Root response to different environmental stresses, including water, temperature, nutrient and mechanical stress was addressed in detail. The structure and function of woody roots was also considered at different levels, from coarse to fine roots, with several papers discussing the interaction between roots and the rhizosphere. One of the conference highlights was the presentation of new methods in root research, by a series of workshops held at LRBB-INRA, Pierroton, on the northern border of the Gascony forest.

---

This book is devoted to the structural roots of woody plants, with a particular emphasis on the anchorage, form and development of tree root systems. For the first time, a large number of papers on the architecture and biomechanics of structural root systems are presented together with discussions on consequences for tree stability in both forest and urban environments. The development of root systems using different planting techniques is assessed, with recommendations for the selection and breeding of forest trees. Root response to environmental stresses is discussed, with several chapters also focusing on the structure and role of fine roots and their interaction with the rhizosphere. New methods for studying roots are presented, along with modelling techniques and state-of-the-art software.
Aimed at biologists, foresters and arboriculturalists, this book will provide the reader with an overview of current knowledge in all fields of structural root research, as well as presenting recent findings and new methods for studying woody roots.

---

This book is devoted to the structural roots of woody plants, with a particular emphasis on the anchorage, form and development of tree root systems. For the first time, a large number of papers on the architecture and biomechanics of structural root systems are presented together with discussions on consequences for tree stability in both forest and urban environments. The development of root systems using different planting techniques is assessed, with recommendations for the selection and breeding of forest trees. Root response to environmental stresses is discussed, with several chapters also focusing on the structure and role of fine roots and their interaction with the rhizosphere. New methods for studying roots are presented, along with modelling techniques and state-of-the-art software.
Aimed at biologists, foresters and arboriculturalists, this book will provide the reader with an overview of current knowledge in all fields of structural root research, as well as presenting recent findings and new methods for studying woody roots.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-ix
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
The development of symmetry, rigidity and anchorage in the structural root system of conifers....Pages 3-17
Strain distribution during anchorage failure of Pinus pinaster Ait. at different ages and tree growth response to wind-induced root movement....Pages 19-29
Root deformation in plantations of container-grown Scots pine trees: effects on root growth, tree stability and stem straightness....Pages 31-39
Root strength, growth, and rates of decay: root reinforcement changes of two tree species and their contribution to slope stability....Pages 41-49
A study on the adaptability mechanism of tree roots on steep slopes....Pages 51-57
Front Matter....Pages 59-59
Structural root architecture of 5-year-old Pinus pinaster measured by 3D digitising and analysed with AMAPmod....Pages 61-75
Genetics of root architecture in 1-year-old Pinus pinaster measured with the WinRHIZO image analysis system: preliminary results....Pages 77-81
Root architecture, early development and basal sweep in containerized and bare-rooted Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)....Pages 83-96
The effect of cultivation technique on root and shoot biomass production by young Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) trees on surface water gley soils....Pages 97-108
Influence of cultivation method on root grafting in Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.)....Pages 109-118
Front Matter....Pages 119-119
Tree root system enhancement with paclobutrazol....Pages 121-130
Clonal variation in above- and below-ground growth responses of Populus tremuloides Michaux: Influence of soil warming and nutrient availability....Pages 131-135
Above- and below-ground growth of white spruce seedlings with roots divided into different substrates with or without controlled-release fertilizer....Pages 137-143
Heritability of first-order lateral root number in Quercus: implication for artificial regeneration of stands....Pages 145-156
Root-infecting fungi associated with a decline of longleaf pine in the southeastern United States....Pages 157-169
Front Matter....Pages 171-178
Why model root system architecture?....Pages 179-184
A model simulating interactions between plant shoot and root architecture in a non-homogeneous environment....Pages 185-185
Why are laterals less affected than main axes by homogeneous unfavourable physical conditions? A model-based hypothesis....Pages 187-194
Front Matter....Pages 195-207
The effects of wind speed and direction on radial growth of structural roots....Pages 209-215
Responses of sap flow rate along tree stem and coarse root radii to changes of water supply....Pages 217-217
Water conductance and osmotic potential of papaya (Carica papaya L.) roots as influenced by drought....Pages 219-225
Effect of water stress on root meristems in woody and herbaceous plants during the first stage of development....Pages 227-238
Influence of soil temperature on root freezing tolerance of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings....Pages 239-244
Sucrose metabolism, growth and transplanting stress in sweetgum seedling taproots and stems....Pages 245-258
Front Matter....Pages 259-267
A method for predicting the possible site of failure in trees during mechanical loading....Pages 269-276
Review of in situ shear tests on root reinforced soil....Pages 277-277
An experimental study on the mechanical behaviour of the maize root system: analysis of the soil/root bond and determination of rigidity modulus....Pages 279-285
Distribution of Armillaria on pear root systems and a comparison of root excavation techniques....Pages 287-294
An approach to minirhizotron root image analysis....Pages 295-304
Front Matter....Pages 305-311
Adaptive tactics and characteristics of tree fine roots....Pages 313-323
Pine root structure and its potential significance for root function....Pages 325-334
Tracheids in white spruce seedling’s long lateral roots in response to nitrogen availability....Pages 335-335
The efficiency of the water conducting system of tomato roots....Pages 337-346
Root structure and arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization of the palm Serenoa repens under field conditions....Pages 347-355
Is maintenance respiration in roots a constant?....Pages 357-370
Is the root system the key to higher nitrogen uptake in rapeseed?....Pages 371-375
Effects of liming on rhizosphere chemistry and growth of fine roots and of shoots of sessile oak (Quercus petraea)....Pages 377-389
Back Matter....Pages 391-396
A new approach to the investigation on the tonogenic groups of root cell walls....Pages 397-404
....Pages 405-417