Selecting matched root architecture in tree pairs to be used for assessing N-2 fixation based on soil-(15) N-labelling

Abstract:
It is commonly assumed that soil-N-15-labelling provides reliable estimates of N-2 fixation in trees by matching N-2-fixing and non-N-2-fixing tree pairs. As root system is a key parameter in determining suitability of the tree pairs, we compared root architecture of Acacia cyanophylla Lindl. and Casuarina glauca Sieber ex. Spreng. (two N-2-fixing trees) with Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn. and Ceratonia siliqua L. (two non-N-2-fixing trees) at 4-year-old in Mediterranean-semiarid zone. The rhizobium strain used appeared more motile than Frankia strain. A. cyanophylla and E. camaldulensis had extensive rooting area and volume of fine roots, and both species tended to develop marked horizontal rooting, compared to C. glauca and C. siliqua. Characteristics of fine- and horizontal-root components can be used in selecting matched root systems of N-2-fixing and reference-paired trees. Root architecture of C. glauca was more similar to C. siliqua, than to E. camaldulensis, and that of A. cyanophylla was more similar to E. camaldulensis than to C. siliqua. Accordingly, E. camaldulensis is an appropriate reference to estimate actual N-2 fixation by A. cyanophylla, and C. siliqua is an appropriate reference for C. glauca, when using soil-N-15-labelling method in the prevailing site environment. (c) 2004 Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.