Fine root growth and longevity in a cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) plantation
In the humid tropical rainforests, fine root frequently grow at the soil-litter interface, a fact which makes it possible to carry out observations more directly. The purpose of this research was to answer two questions through direct evaluation in the field. Firstly, are growth rates of fine roots of tropical trees substantially different from rates shown by species which grow in subtropical or temperate regions, and, secondly, is the functional lifespan of fine roots in humid tropical regions particularly short? Answers to these questions could make an important contribution to the understanding of the dynamics of tropical ecosystems. Growth and longevity measurements were carried out on fine-roots (less than 1 mm in diameter) directly at the soil litter interface of cacao (Theobroma cacao) plantation, in Bahia, Brazi. The rates of growth in the length of fine roots were, on average, 3.7 and 1.8 mm per day for the first second order fine root branches respectively. The average lifespan of these roots was three days, with variations within a range of one to ten days. Observations related to the growth in biomass of fine roots, made by using of an ingrowth core technique, provided evidence to confirm and support the existence of rapid root replacement in the cacao ecosystem. Fine-root was closely related to rainfall frequency. The results were contrasted with those of ecosystems with seasonal climates, where elongation rates of fine roots appeared to be faster and their lifespan much greater.
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | biblioteca |
| Language: | eng |
| Published: |
Bahía (Brasil): Centro de Pesquisas do Cacau,
1998
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| Subjects: | THEOBROMA CACAO, PLANTACION, PLANTAS DE SOMBRA, AGROFORESTERIA, RAICES, BIOMASA, LONGEVIDAD, |
| Online Access: | https://www.gov.br/agricultura/pt-br/assuntos/ceplac/publicacoes/revista-agrotropica/revista/agrotropica-1998v10n1.pdf/view |
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| Summary: | In the humid tropical rainforests, fine root frequently grow at the soil-litter interface, a fact which makes it possible to carry out observations more directly. The purpose of this research was to answer two questions through direct evaluation in the field. Firstly, are growth rates of fine roots of tropical trees substantially different from rates shown by species which grow in subtropical or temperate regions, and, secondly, is the functional lifespan of fine roots in humid tropical regions particularly short? Answers to these questions could make an important contribution to the understanding of the dynamics of tropical ecosystems. Growth and longevity measurements were carried out on fine-roots (less than 1 mm in diameter) directly at the soil litter interface of cacao (Theobroma cacao) plantation, in Bahia, Brazi. The rates of growth in the length of fine roots were, on average, 3.7 and 1.8 mm per day for the first second order fine root branches respectively. The average lifespan of these roots was three days, with variations within a range of one to ten days. Observations related to the growth in biomass of fine roots, made by using of an ingrowth core technique, provided evidence to confirm and support the existence of rapid root replacement in the cacao ecosystem. Fine-root was closely related to rainfall frequency. The results were contrasted with those of ecosystems with seasonal climates, where elongation rates of fine roots appeared to be faster and their lifespan much greater.
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