Suites of root traits differ between annual and perennial species growing in the field.

ROUMET, C.; URCELAY, C.; DÍAZ, S.

NEW PHYTOLOGIST

Blackwell Publishing

Año: 2006 p. 357 - 368

0028-646X

*Here, we tested whether root traits associated with resource acquisition and consrvation differed between life histories (annuals, perennials) and families (Fabaceae, Asteraceae and Poaceae). *Root topology, morphology, chemistry and mycorrhizal colonization were measured on whole root systems of 18 field- grown and harvested in central Argentina. * Annual differed from perennials in several root traits important in resource uptake and conservation. They exhibited higher specific root lenght (SRL), root nitrogen concentration (RNC) and mycorrhizal colonization but had lower root tissue density (RTD) than perennials. They did not differ in topology or construction cost. These differences were consistent among families. Families differed only in a few root traits known to be strongly associated with certain lineages such as topology and nitrogen concentration. There was a strong parallel between root traits and analogous leaf traits described in the literature for annuals and perennials. * Our results suggest the existence at theroot level of an acquisitive vs conservative syndrome consistent among families similar to that previously reported for above- ground traits.