Variability in fine root distributions in very deep Ferralsols between four eucalyptus spp. genetic materials

• Grant number: 12/13380-3
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): September 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): August 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Forestry Resources and Forestry Engineering - Forestry
• Principal researcher: Jean Paul Laclau
• Grantee: Rafael Costa Pinheiro
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas (FCA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The dynamics of roots in very deep soil layers has been little studied for tree species. This issue may be important for breeding programs since very deep roots can contribute to explain the different survival rates between clones in very deep oxisols during exceptionally dry periods. The knowledge of the distribution of roots in soil can also influence fertilizer applications in order to reduce costs and to adapt the application of fertilizer on the capacity of the clones to take up nutrients. Although the density of the fine roots of Eucalyptus decrease as the depth increases, they are still able to take up a significant amount of water at 10 m depth, especially during periods of drought. Thus, the objectives proposed by the project are: a) to evaluate the density of fine roots of four genetic materials of Eucalyptus at 2 and 3 years of age, b) to compare the area of these roots with the leaf area, and c) to assess whether the relationship between the average height of the stand and the maximum depth reached by the roots, already found in a mono progeny of E. grandis, is valid for other genetic materials. An auger will be used to collect soil samples at various distances from the trees, up to 16 m depth. The fine roots (diameter <2 mm) and the leaves will be scanned and analyzed by ImageJ software and WinRhizo, respectively. The densities of fine roots in soil profiles down to 16 m depth will be compared between the genetic materials in order to estimate the relationship between the tree height and the maximum depth reached by the fine roots and to evaluate whether the characteristics of fine roots can be predicted from the features of the leaves. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

PINHEIRO, RAFAEL COSTA; DE DEUS, JR., JOSE CARLOS; NOUVELLON, YANN; CAMPOE, OTAVIO CAMARGO; STAPE, JOSE LUIZ; ALO, LIVIA LANZI; GUERRINI, IRAE AMARAL; JOURDAN, CHRISTOPHE; LACLAU, JEAN-PAUL. A fast exploration of very deep soil layers by Eucalyptus seedlings and clones in Brazil. FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT, v. 366, p. 143-152, APR 15 2016. (12/13380-3)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

PINHEIRO, Rafael Costa. Variability in fine roots distribution in deep ferralsols among eucalyptus spp genetic materials. 2014. Master's Dissertation - Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas. Botucatu Botucatu.