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1.
Planting trees, in farm forestry enterprises, to control rising watertables is an increasing practice for both economic and environmental benefits. One central biophysical issue which determines the effectiveness of trees to control groundwater is the ability of trees to grow roots through degraded soils and take up groundwater. We investigated the effect of soil properties, especially the presence of shallow watertables and site preparation practice, on the vertical and horizontal distributions of Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden and Corymbia maculata (Hook.) K.D. Hill and L.A.S. Johnson roots. In order to improve the reliability of root data, we measured root growth and distribution by three different methods – (i) number of roots intercepting the vertical plane of the soil profile, (ii) root length density in soil cores taken at different depths but in the horizontal plane of the profile, and (iii) root length density in soil cores in the vertical plane at different radial positions from trees and compared the results. Two experimental sites were established in flood-irrigated, farm forestry plantations on contrasting soils in the Murray Riverina region of south-eastern Australia. At one site (Norwood Park), we studied a 58-month-old stand of E. grandis growing in clay loam overlaying medium clay, saline, sodic and alkaline subsoil with a saline (11.5 dS m−1) watertable at 2.8 m depth. Here, there were few roots growing above the watertable. The Karawatha site had adjacent stands of 46-month old E. grandis and C. maculata growing in a sandy, neutral and non-saline soil with a shallow (3.1 m deep) non-saline (2.8 dS m−1) watertable. Here roots proliferated above the watertable in both species but to a much greater extent under C. maculata than under E. grandis. Root distributions in the surface soil were similar at all sites but differences in root growth in the capillary zones paralleled differences in groundwater uptake by trees. We conclude (i) that appropriate matching of species with site characteristics, especially soil and groundwater properties, will enhance tree growth and groundwater uptake and (ii) that extensive planting of C. maculata over non-saline watertables maximises the chances of achieving the multiple objectives of regional groundwater control, fast growth rates and reduced irrigation demand.  相似文献   

2.
长白山系榛子灌木林根系对优先流的影响   总被引：3，自引：0，他引：3       下载免费PDF全文
[目的]通过调查分析榛子灌木林下不同土层深度内不同根系径级对土壤优先流现象发生程度的影响,了解该区域内土壤水分的运动规律,查看森林系统生态恢复情况。[方法]选取长白山系张广才岭余脉丘陵区内榛子灌木林为研究对象,采用野外示踪法示踪优先流路径分布特征,分析其与不同土层深度下不同径级的根长密度、根生物量的关系。[结果]表明:灌木林内优先流以大孔隙流,漏斗流和环绕流为主,发生迅速,伴有环绕特征。随土壤深度的增加,根长密度逐渐减小,根系径级d1 mm,1d3 mm,3d5 mm,5d10 mm的根长密度对优先流贡献率分别为67.9%,64.9%、55.2%、59.3%,以d1 mm根系的优先流贡献率最大,且均值在58.5%以上。根长密度在不同土层深度及不同径级下变幅为2.59%31.2%和1.16%11.07%。研究点内优先流区根生物量大于基质流区,整体仅高出约1.1%,根生物量对优先流路径的发生不起决定性作用。[结论]不同土层内的不同根系径级的根长密度对榛子灌木林下的土壤优先流影响极为明显,d1 mm影响效果最大,根系生物量对其优先流的产生不起决定性作用。  相似文献   

3.
Seedlings of Pinus pinea L. growing in plastic containers were treated with seaweed concentrate (SWC). Different concentrations of SWC were applied, 0 to 3 times, to the roots or shoots of the seedlings. Shoot application increased plant weight mainly by increasing shoot growth. This was manifested as increased shoot length and weight and a decrease in the root/shoot ratio. Root drenches did not change the total plant weight but it accelerated root growth and increased lateral root dry weight. Root growth capacity (RGC) tests for both shoot and root applications indicated an increase in root length and some increases in root number when applied as a root drench. This study indicates that root application of SWC improved seedling quality and increased the ability of seedlings to survive transplanting into pots.Abbreviations GC-MS Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry - RGC root growth capacity - SWC seaweed concentrate  相似文献   

4.
After introductory competition tests in the laboratory, Resinicium bicolor was used as a potential control agent for the conifer root rot fungus Heterobasidion annosum. Greenhouse pathogenicity tests with R. bicolor on 4-year-old seedlings of Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) showed moderate incidence of infection. In three places in Sweden, four test areas were chosen for field experiments in first-rotation plantations and also in old forest sites of Norway spruce. Wood blocks, pre-inoculated with one strain of R. bicolor, were buried in the soil beside stumps at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 months after thinning using various spatial designs. In two of the test areas, half of the stumps were treated with a suspension of H. annosum conidia from one strain by surface spraying. After 2–3 years, stump roots were investigated and the length of growth of both species were noted. The identity of mycelia reisolated from and wood debris in the test areas were confirmed by somatic compatibility tests with the original strains. The strain of R. bicolor released was recovered from all over the test area; the released H. annosum strain was only reisolated from the conidia sprayed stump roots. R. bicolor had little effect on the growth and occurrence of H. annosum. Potential control of disease spread may arise, however, from occlusion of the pathogen from outer parts of roots.  相似文献   

5.
Root biomass and distribution of five agroforestry tree species   总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1  
Knowledge of the quantitative assessment and structural development of root systems is essential to improve and optimize productivity of agroforestry systems. Studies on root biomass recovery by sieves of different mesh sizes (2.0, 1.0, 0.5 and 0.25 mm) and root distribution for four-year-old individuals of five agroforestry tree species viz.; Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Benth, Azadirachta indica A. Juss, Bauhinia variegata L., Bombax ceiba L. and Wendlandia exserta Roxb. were conducted at the research farm of Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar, India. The results indicated that the 0.5 mm sieve was adequate for recovery of the majority of roots. All the tree species exhibited a large variation in root depth and horizontal root spread four years after planting. The maximum root depth was recorded in W. exserta (2.10 m) and minimum in B. variegata (1.00 m). Horizontal root spread was 2.05 m in B. ceiba and 8.05 m in A. auriculiformis. Root spread exceeded crown cover for all species. The primary roots were more horizontal than the secondary roots. The length and diameter of the main root were highest in A. indica (108.3 cm) and B. ceiba (23.2 cm), respectively. Highest length and diameter of lateral roots were recorded in B. variegata (201.6 cm) and A. indica (1.8 cm), respectively. Total root biomass among different species accounted for 18.2–37.9% of the total tree biomass. Results of this study infer that although all the species have potential to conserve moisture and improve fertility status of the soil, A. auriculiformis is the most effective for promoting soil fertility. The deep rooted W. exserta and A. auriculiformis will be preferred for cultivation under agroforestry systems and could reduce competition for nutrients and moisture with crops by pumping from deeper layers of soil.  相似文献   

6.
Accurate quantitative assessment of roots is key to understanding the belowground plant productivity as well as providing an insight of the plant-soil interactions. In this study, root recoveries by sieves of different mesh sizes (2.0, 1.0, 0.5 and 0.25 mm) were measured for five tropical tree and shrub species grown in monoculture stands: crotalaria (Crotalaria grahamiana Wight and Arn.), pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.], sesbania [Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr.], tephrosia (Tephrosia vogelii Hook F.), siratro [Macroptilium atropurpureum (DC.) Urb.] and tithonia [Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) Gray]. Root samples were take from 0-15 cm soil depth. Recovery of coarser roots (>1.0 mm) ranged from 70 to 93% and 90 to 98% of the cumulative root length and biomass respectively. The proportion of root length of the finer roots (<1.0 mm) was greater for pigeonpea (30%), tithonia (22%) and siratro (18%) compared with other species, but contributed negligibly to the cumulative total root biomass for all species. The use of 0.5 mm sieve improved the recovery of root length for most species but had little effect on root biomass. The 0.25 mm sieve was most effective in capturing finer roots (<0.5 mm) of pigeonpea which represented 16% of cumulative root length and 4% of root biomass recorded for this species. Recovery of roots of different diameter classes depended on species, suggesting that for an improved estimation of root parameters especially when sieves of large mesh sizes (>0.25 mm) are used, a correction factor could be useful for root length measurements but not root biomass measurements for a particular species in each site and for a specific study. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.  相似文献   

7.
We compared growth patterns and morphology of fine roots of size-controlling and invigorating peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) rootstocks. Peach trees were grafted on five rootstocks: a vigorous control (Nemaguard), three intermediate vigor rootstocks (K119-50, P30-135 and Hiawatha), and a semi-dwarfing rootstock (K146-43). Minirhizotron tubes were installed at the base of trees on each rootstock and root images captured with a minirhizotron digital camera system. Number, visible length, and diameter of new roots were recorded at fixed soil depths from April 19, 2000 to December 19, 2001. Root diameter, specific root length, root tissue density and root length density were also measured periodically for each rootstock on roots collected from in-growth cores. Rootstocks had similar seasonal patterns of new root production. Fine root production was lowest in winter and appeared to decline during the final stages of fruit growth. A rootstock with almond in its genetic background (K119-50) produced the greatest quantity of fine roots and had the greatest number of new roots below 69 cm, whereas there were no differences among the other four rootstocks in the total number of roots produced. Rootstock K146-43 had thicker fine roots than the other rootstocks. Independent of rootstock, fine roots produced during spring had greater specific root length than those produced later in the season. The seasonal pattern of fine root production did not appear to be associated with the previously reported effects of these dwarfing rootstocks on shoot growth and stem water potential early in the growing season.  相似文献   

8.
Enhancement of root development helps to improve soil physical properties, carbon sequestration, and water quality of streams. The objective of this study was to evaluate differences in root length density (RLD) and root and soil carbon content within grass buffer (GB), agroforestry buffer (AgB), rotationally grazed pasture (RG) and continuously grazed pasture (CG) treatments. Pasture and GB areas included red clover (Trifolium pretense L.) and lespedeza (Kummerowia stipulacea Maxim.) planted into fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) while AgB included Eastern cottonwood trees (Populus deltoids Bortr. ex Marsh.) planted into fescue. One-meter deep soil cores were collected from each treatment in August 2007 and 2008 with a soil probe. Three soil cores were sampled at six replicate sampling positions. Soil cores were collected in plastic tubes inserted inside the metal soil probe. Soils were segregated by horizons, and roots were separated into three diameter classes (0–1, 1–2, >2 mm) by soil horizon. Root length was determined using a flatbed scanner assisted with computer software. Buffer treatments (167 cm/100 cm3) had 4.5 times higher RLD as compared to pasture treatments (37.3 cm/100 cm3). The AgB treatment had the highest (173.5 cm/100 cm3) RLD and CG pasture had the lowest (10.8 cm/100 cm3) value. Root carbon was about 3% higher for the buffers compared to RG treatment. Soil carbon was about 115% higher for the buffers compared to pasture treatments. Results from this study imply that establishment of agroforestry and GB on grazed pasture watersheds improve soil carbon accumulation and root parameters which enhance soil physical and chemical properties thus improving the environmental quality of the landscape.  相似文献   

9.
The influence of woodland soil bulk density on the growth and distribution of fine root system of main planting tree species in the Weibei Loess Plateau was investigated by means of pot culture and field survey. Results indicated that in the woodland of Pinus tabulaeformis, soil bulk density increased with the depth at different sites, while in the woodland of Robinia pseudoacacia, soil bulk density was higher than that in P. tabulaeformis, and there was no clear difference across the profile. Further analysis implied that there existed negative correlations between soil bulk density and fine root length in the woodland of P. tabulaeformis. Results from pot culture indicated that although the effects of pot culture media on the fine root growth and development of different tree species seedlings were different, all treated seedlings grew better in the soil matter with medium bulk density and porosity and with the biggest biomass. Bulk density of pot culture media had clear effects on the growth and development of P. tabulaeformis and R. pseudoacacia seedling roots, especially on the former, whereas it had little effect on that of Platycladus orientalis and Prunus armeniaca var. ansu, whose fine root biomass changed little in different pot culture media. Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2004, 40(5) (in Chinese)  相似文献   

10.
华北低丘山区核桃-决明子复合模式的根系分布   总被引：4，自引：0，他引：4       下载免费PDF全文
采用分层挖掘法,对株行距为3 m×8 m的核桃-决明子复合模式中的根生物量、总根长密度、吸收根的根长密度和根系直径等进行了调查。结果表明：核桃单作的总根长密度比核桃间作的高7%左右,且在各个土层中吸收根的根长密度都高于核桃间作,而二者的总根生物量和根系直径则差异较小。决明子单作的根系直径比间作决明子的大27.73%,但二者的根长密度和根生物量则差异不大。在核桃-决明子复合模式中,核桃总根生物量和吸收根长均占复合模式总根量的一半以上,其中,在水平方向上,决明子在树行南侧2.5、4.0 m位置根系分布最多,而树行南北1.5 m范围内则较少;核桃根系则主要分布在树行两侧1.5 m范围内。垂直方向上,核桃在30~80 cm土层中的根生物量和吸收根长分别占其总量的64.79%和61.17%,而59.54%的决明子根系分布在0~20 cm土壤中。  相似文献   

11.
In New Zealand poplars are commonly planted on moist, unstable pastoral hill country to prevent or reduce soil erosion, thereby maintaining hillslope integrity and pasture production. Mechanical reinforcement by poplar root systems aids slope stabilisation. Root mass and distribution were determined for three Populus deltoides × nigra ‘Veronese’ trees aged 5, 7 and 9.5 year planted as 3 m poles at 8 m × 8 m spacing on a hillslope near Palmerston North in the southern North Island. Most of the structural roots (≥2 mm diameter) were distributed in the top 40 cm of soil. Vertical roots penetrated to about 1.0 m, being the depth of the soil above a fragipan. Total structural root dry masses (excluding root crown) were 0.57, 7.8 and 17.90 kg for the trees aged 5, 7 and 9.5 year, respectively. Total structural root length was 79.4 m for the 5 year tree and 663.5 m for the 9.5 year tree. Surrounding trees were estimated to increase root mass density to 3 times and root length density to 4–5 times the contribution of the single tree at 9.5 year. The study indicated that root development of wide-spaced poplar trees on hillslopes was minimal in the first 5 years but then increased rapidly. These results suggest that poplar trees established from poles may take at least 5 years to develop a structural root network that will effectively bind soil.  相似文献   

12.
The long‐term effects of lime application on fine roots of Norway spruce, Picea abies (L.) Karst, and Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris (L.), have been studied in five experimental forest stands subjected to different lime applications 5 to 18 years before the present study was undertaken. The effects of liming does not seem to significantly influence fine‐root development in forest stands in the long term. The only response to liming in measured root variables was a tendency to increased specific root length (SRL = fine‐root length/fine‐root dry weight, m/g). A correlation between increased SRL, decreased root biomass and increased stem volume growth was indicated. Changes in water extractable amounts of mineral elements—P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, S, Al and Fe‐in bulk soil and rhizosphere soil from the mineral soil layers were studied in a control area and an area treated with 3830 kg CaCO3 ha‐1. Few significant differences were found between treatments, and then mainly in the case of Ca.  相似文献   

13.
On the regeneration and infection of roots of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) by fungi present in the soil. 167 roots in 4 stands were severed 40–60 cm from the base of the tree. At the proximal cut ends of the thick roots of the 40 years old trees on loamy sand, either replacement roots or callous tissue were formed (only a small percentage of those roots was invaded by rot causing Basidiomycetes), or no new roots and no callus were formed and root rot fungi (Fomes annosus, Coniophora puteana, Resinicium bicolor) had invaded the root sections from the soil. On the root sections of the 35 and 55 years old Douglas firs on sand, with the exception of 2 roots, neither replacement roots nor callus were formed; Fomes and Coniophora had invaded the thicker roots of the older trees from the soil.  相似文献   

14.
Fine-root dynamics (diameter < 2.0 mm) were studied on-farm in associations of Coffea arabica with Eucalyptus deglupta or Terminalia ivorensis and in a pseudo-chronosequence of C. arabica-E. deglupta associations (two, three, four and five years old). Coffee plants were submitted to two fertilisation types. Cores were taken in the 0–40 cm soil profile two years after out-planting and subsequently in the following year in depth layers 0–10 and 10–20 cm, during and at the end of the rainy season, and during the dry season. Fine root density of coffee and timber shade trees was greater in the coffee fertilisation strip as compared to unfertilised areas close to the plants or in the inter-rows. Coffee fine roots were more evenly distributed in the topsoil (0–20 cm) whereas tree fine roots were mostly found in the first 10 cm. Although the two tree species had approximately the same fine root length density, lower coffee / tree fine root length density ratios in T. ivorensis suggest that this shade tree is potentially a stronger competitor with coffee than E. deglupta. Coffee and tree fine root length density for 0–10 cm measured during the rainy season increased progressively from two to five-year-aged associations and coffee fine root length density increased relatively more than E. deglupta fine root length density in the four and five-year-aged plantations suggesting that contrary to expectations, coffee fine roots were displacing tree fine roots.  相似文献   

15.
Fine root turnover plays important roles in carbon allocation and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. Seasonal dynamics of fine roots is critical for understanding the processes of fine root turnover. From May to October 2002, soil core method was used for estimating the seasonal pattern of fine root (diameter < 1 mm) parameters (biomass, specific root length (SRL) and root length density (RLD)) in a Manchurian ash (Fraxinus mandshurica) plantation located at the Maoershan Experiment Station, Heilongjiang Province, northeast of China. The relationships of fine root biomass, SRL and RLD with available nitrogen in soil, average soil temperature per month in 10 cm depth and soil moisture content were analyzed. Seasonal variation of fine root biomass was significant (P < 0.05). The peak values of fine root biomass were observed both in spring and in autumn, but SRL and RLD were the highest in spring and lowest in autumn. Specific root length and root length density were higher in spring and summer, which means that fine root diameter was thinner. In autumn, both parameters decreased significantly due to secondary incrassation of fine root diameter or the increase of tissue density. Seasonal dynamics of fine roots was associated with available nitrogen in soil, soil temperature in 10 cm depth and moisture content. Fine root biomass has a significant relationship with available NH4 +-N in soil. Available NO3 −-N in soil, soil temperature in 10-cm depth and moisture content have a positive correlation with fine root biomass, SRL and RLD, although these correlations are not significant (P > 0.05). But the compound effects of soil available N, soil temperature and soil moisture content are significant to every root parameter. The variations of these three root parameters in different seasons show different physiological and ecological functions in different growing periods. Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2006, 42(9): 7–12 [译自: 林业科学]  相似文献   

16.
Red wood ants (Formica rufa group, RWAs) are common insects in boreal forests in Fennoscandia, and they build large, long-lived mounds as their nests. RWA mounds are enriched with carbon and nutrients, but little information is available about how they affect root distribution and the nutrient uptake of trees. In this study, we investigated the biomass, biomass density, nutrient concentrations, and amounts of fine (<2 mm) and coarse (>2 mm) roots in RWA mounds, and compared them with those of surrounding forest soil in mixed coniferous stands of different age classes in Finland. Neither fine nor coarse root biomasses differed significantly between the aboveground parts of the mounds and the organic layer of the soil. Root biomass density was lower in mounds than in the organic layer. However, fine root biomass and biomass density were higher in the belowground parts of mounds than in the surrounding mineral soil. Macroelement (N, Ca, K, P, S, Mg) and Zn and Cu concentrations in roots in the mounds were significantly higher than those in the organic layer. Root biomass and biomass density did not differ between stands of different age classes. The results of this study indicate that RWA mounds increase heterogeneity in root distribution in forest ecosystems, and also increase the availability of nutrients for plants that extend their roots inside RWA mounds.  相似文献   

17.
We excavated soil to study root distribution in Haloxylon ammodendron seedlings grown with different amounts of irrigation (35, 24.5 and 14 kg water for each plant each time) in the hinterland of the Taklimakan Desert. The results indicated that: 1) With decreasing irrigation amounts, the root biomass tended to be distributed in deeper soil layers. Underground biomass had a significantly negative logarithmic relationship with soil depth under different irrigation amounts. 2) Maximum horizontal spread of roots was twice that of vertical root spread, and horizontal distribution of root biomass was similar under all irrigation amounts. 3) Vertical distribution of fine roots was nearly consistent with vertical changes in soil moisture, and all had a unimodal curve; but peak values of fine root biomass in different soil layers varied with different irrigation amounts. The smaller the amount of irrigation, the deeper were the fine roots concentrated in soil layers. 4) Root length, root surface area and root volume all exhibited a unimodal curve under different irrigation amounts; the less the irrigation amount, the deeper the peak values appeared in soil layers. 5) Rootshoot ratio and ratio of vertical root depth to plant height both increased as irrigation amounts decreased. __________ Translated from Journal of Plant Ecology (Chinese Version), 2007, 31 (5): 769–776 [译自: 植物生态学报]  相似文献   

18.
Swamy  S.L.  Mishra  A.  Puri  S. 《New Forests》2003,26(2):167-186
A study of an agrisilviculture system comprising Gmelina arborea and soybean (Glycine max) was conducted in the subhumid region of Central India. Above- and below-ground biomass production and distribution of coarse and fine roots were studied in 4-year-old G. arborea, planted at a spacing of 2 × 2 m, 2 × 3 m, 2 × 4 m and 2 × 5 m. The total biomass varied from 10.89 Mg ha–1 to 3.65 Mg ha–1 depending on the tree density. Among the different tree components, stemwood contributed maximum biomass (54.3–79.4%), followed by branches and leaves. Root distribution pattern showed that most of the coarse roots were distributed in the top 40 cm of soil, whereas fine roots were concentrated in the top 20 cm. Coarse root biomass decreased with an increase in spacing. The spread of roots was asymmetrical in trees planted at 2 × 2 m and 2 × 3 m spacings, while it was symmetrical in trees planted at wide spacings. No significant difference was observed in the fine root biomass in different stands. The root:shoot ratio increased with an increase in spacing. Crop (soybean) growth and productivity varied significantly and it increased with a decrease in tree density. Soybean yield varied between 1.5 Mg ha–1 to 2.1 Mg ha–1. The role of root architecture of G. arborea trees on productivity of crops under agri-silviculture system is discussed.  相似文献   

19.
We quantified the extent and distribution of roots of four commonly planted tree species (Eucalyptus globulus Labill., Pinus radiata D. Don, P. pinaster Aiton and E. kochii Maiden & Blakely subsp. plenissima C.A. Gardner) in agricultural land adjacent to tree lines, and examined the effect of soil type and root pruning on root morphology. Root distribution in soil adjacent to tree lines was mapped by a trench profile method at 13 sites on the south coast of Western Australia. Soil samples were collected to determine water content and fertility. The lateral extent of tree roots ranged from 10 m for E. kochii to 44 m for P. pinaster. This equated to between 1.5 and 2.5 times tree height (H) for E. globulus and Pinus spp. to 4H for E. kochii. Root density declined logarithmically with distance from the trees and was greatest for P. pinaster and least for E. globulus (P < 0.001). The rate of decrease in root density with distance from the trees was greatest for the Pinus spp. and least for E. kochii (P < 0.05). Root density was generally greatest in the top 0.5 m of the soil profile and decreased with increasing depth. This decrease was relatively gradual in the deep sands, but abrupt in clay subsoil. Root dry mass in the sandy top soil beyond 0.5H ranged between 1.0 and 55.5 Mg km(treeline) (-1) for 6-year-old E. kochii and 50-year-old P. pinaster, respectively. Soil water content generally increased with distance from the trees (P < 0.001). There was no evidence of reduced soil fertility in the top 1.4 m of the soil profile adjacent to the trees. Two to four years after trees had been root pruned, both the lateral extent and vertical distribution of roots were similar for pruned and unpruned trees. The density of roots < 2 mm in diameter was greater for root-pruned trees than for unpruned trees (P < 0.05). We conclude that the study species can compete with agricultural crops based on the lateral extent of their roots and the occurrence of greatest root density within 0.5 m of the soil surface.  相似文献   

20.
Parkia biglobosa is an important multipurpose tree from the savanna zone of West Africa. It has been reported to increase soil fertility and crop yields beneath its crown. However, no work has been conducted to determine the role of root symbioses in soil amelioration by this species. The existing reports of nodulation inParkia biglobosa are contradictory and the presence of mycorrhizae is not documented in the literature.Fieldwork was conducted at six sites in Burkina Faso and Nigeria, to investigate the amelioratory effect ofParkia biglobosa on soil fertility and to ascertain the occurence of root symbioses. Soil samples were collected from points close to the trunk, the mid-crown, crown edge and the open areas away from individual trees. The samples were analysed chemically to assess pH, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content. Root samples were also collected from the field and examined for nodules and for evidence of mycorrhizal infection.The results of the soil analysis showed a significant amelioration for total nitrogen and available potassium with proximity to the tree, but organic matter, available phosphorus and soil pH showed no significant trend. This pattern was similar for all sites. The results also indicated that amelioration of nitrogen and potassium with proximity to the tree increased with tree size.Root nodules were absent from the roots of trees examined in the field, both in Burkina Faso and Nigeria. A pot experiment was set up using the soil collected from beneath the trees and a laboratory grown cowpea miscellany culture as rhizobial inoculum forParkia biglobosa seedlings. The roots of these seedlings also showed no evidence of nodulation. Ectomycorrhizae were not present in roots collected from the field, but endomycorrhizal infection was prolific.A study of root distribution in Burkina Faso suggested that one mechanism for increased soil fertility beneathParkia biglobosa is the widespread lateral root system, which redistributes nutrients from an extensive radius to a concentrated area beneath the crown. The root system is aided in the efficient uptake of nutrients by endomycorrhizae. Other possible mechanisms include interception of dust by the crown and deposition by throughfall and stemflow, defacation by animals beneath the tree and decomposition of leaf litter.  相似文献   

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