Fine roots dynamics in Prosopis flexuosa, a phreatophyte in the Monte Desert (Argentina)

GUEVARA A.; GIORDANO C. V

Parque Katalapi

Encuentro; VII Colloquium on Plant Ecophysiology; 2012

Universidad de Concepción

Arid and semiarid ecosystems cover 2/3 of the land surface. Woody perennials are characteristic components of the vegetation of arid ecosystems, with large and deep root systems. The ability of a root system to forage and acquire resources relies greatly on its morphology, turnover rate and dynamics. Fine roots are the dynamic part of the root system and are important sources of carbon. Athough they are constrained genetically, they are modulated by environmental and intrinsic signals. The main objective of this work is to study how the combination of spatial and temporal availability of edaphic sources (groundwater, rainfall water and nutrients), water and nutritional status and phenological phases, regulate P. Flexuosa`s superficial fine roots growth in its natural habitat.