Abstract
As well as capturing resources, roots lose resources during their lives. We quantified carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) losses associated with root turnover in white clover (Trifolium repens L.). We grew contrasting cultivars for 18 weeks in soil microcosms. Using repeated in situ observations, destructive sampling, and demographic analysis, we measured changes in C and N concentrations in dry matter of 1st - or 2nd -order (terminal) roots to derive C and N fluxes into and out of root cohorts. C and N fluxes from roots during turnover depended on cohort age and order. 90% of losses occurred from 2nd -order cohorts younger than 18 weeks. Losses were greater from roots of the larger, faster-growing cultivar Alice than from the smaller lower-yielding cultivar S184. C:N ratios of roots and lost material were similar within each order and between cultivars, but smaller in 2nd - compared with 1st -order roots. C and N losses during root turnover could be equivalent to at least 6% of above-ground dry matter production in S184 and 12% in Alice at the field scale. C and N losses associated with root turnover will have potentially significant and previously unrecognised impacts on crop productivity, resource dynamics and long-term soil fertility.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 2045 - 2056 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Plant, Cell and Environment |
Volume | 41 |
Issue number | 9 |
Early online date | 11 Jan 2018 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | First published - 11 Jan 2018 |
Bibliographical note
1031391Keywords
- C and N loss
- Trifolium repens
- growth
- nutrients