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Aims <p>The traits and distribution of fine roots determines the life and productivity of a stand, and studying how tree spacing in plantation forests affects the vertical distribution of fine roots and their relationship to soil chemistry is crucial.</p> Methods <p>We conducted research on a 38-year-old <i>Pinus massoniana</i> plantation to determine the effect of tree spacing on fine roots in subtropical plantation forests. Fine roots and soil were collected using the root auger method from five soil horizons (0–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40, and 40–50&#xa0;cm) in sample plots with different tree spacings [1.2 × 1.7&#xa0;m (Spacing 1), 2.2 × 1.7&#xa0;m (Spacing 2), and 3.2 × 1.7&#xa0;m (Spacing 3)], and soil chemical properties, root distribution parameters (root length density, root surface area density, root volume density, and root dry weight density) and root traits [specific root length (SRL), specific root surface area (SRA), root tip density and branch density] were analysed.</p> Results <p>The study found that tree spacing had significant effects on fine root distribution and traits (SRL and SRA) that outperformed soil chemical properties. Changes in fine root distribution were most noticeable as tree spacing increased at the surface (0–10&#xa0;cm, increasing) and deeper soil layers (40–50&#xa0;cm, decreasing). Spacing 2 and 3 significantly increased root distribution parameters and traits in the 0–30&#xa0;cm soil layer, but decreased in the 30–50&#xa0;cm layer. Overall, spacing 2 and 3 improved parameters of root distribution (4.29% and 26.77%) as well as traits (3.92% and 26.42%) compared to spacing 1. Furthermore, important soil chemistry parameters influencing fine root distribution and traits changed with tree spacing.</p> Conclusions <p>This study found that tree spacing, rather than soil chemistry, had a substantial effect on fine root traits and distribution in plantation forests, altering their interrelationships.</p>

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The relationships between the vertical distribution of fine roots and soil chemical properties are driven by tree spacing in subtropical plantations in China

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年4月26日

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  • Jian Feng,
  • Yunxing Bai,
  • Yunchao Zhou,
  • Manyi Fan,
  • Piao Wang,
  • Xiaoai Yin,
  • Haiyang Guan,
  • Panming Tang

摘要

Aims

The traits and distribution of fine roots determines the life and productivity of a stand, and studying how tree spacing in plantation forests affects the vertical distribution of fine roots and their relationship to soil chemistry is crucial.

Methods

We conducted research on a 38-year-old Pinus massoniana plantation to determine the effect of tree spacing on fine roots in subtropical plantation forests. Fine roots and soil were collected using the root auger method from five soil horizons (0–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40, and 40–50 cm) in sample plots with different tree spacings [1.2 × 1.7 m (Spacing 1), 2.2 × 1.7 m (Spacing 2), and 3.2 × 1.7 m (Spacing 3)], and soil chemical properties, root distribution parameters (root length density, root surface area density, root volume density, and root dry weight density) and root traits [specific root length (SRL), specific root surface area (SRA), root tip density and branch density] were analysed.

Results

The study found that tree spacing had significant effects on fine root distribution and traits (SRL and SRA) that outperformed soil chemical properties. Changes in fine root distribution were most noticeable as tree spacing increased at the surface (0–10 cm, increasing) and deeper soil layers (40–50 cm, decreasing). Spacing 2 and 3 significantly increased root distribution parameters and traits in the 0–30 cm soil layer, but decreased in the 30–50 cm layer. Overall, spacing 2 and 3 improved parameters of root distribution (4.29% and 26.77%) as well as traits (3.92% and 26.42%) compared to spacing 1. Furthermore, important soil chemistry parameters influencing fine root distribution and traits changed with tree spacing.

Conclusions

This study found that tree spacing, rather than soil chemistry, had a substantial effect on fine root traits and distribution in plantation forests, altering their interrelationships.