Arid Zone Research ›› 2024, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (9): 1572-1582.doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2024.09.13

• Plant Ecology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effect of different slope characteristics on root nonstructural carbon of Quercus mongolica in the southern Daxing’anling Mountains

LIU Yiwei1,2(), WEI Jiangsheng1,2,3(), HUANG Lidong1,2, ZHAO Pengwu3,4, SHU Yang3,4, LI Huimin1,2, CAO Lichun3, ZHANG Ting3   

  1. 1. College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010011, Inner Mongolia, China
    2. Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Soil Quality and Nutrient Resource, Hohhot 010011, Inner Mongolia, China
    3. Saihanwla Forest Ecosystem National Station, Chifeng 024000, Inner Mongolia, China
    4. Forestry College of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010011, Inner Mongolia, China
  • Received:2024-03-15 Revised:2024-05-10 Online:2024-09-15 Published:2024-09-25
  • Contact: WEI Jiangsheng E-mail:1120645078@qq.com;weijiangsheng1969@163.com

Abstract:

The distribution of carbon within plant aboveground and subsurface organs is important for understanding the carbon storage systems in tree roots in semi-arid areas. In this study, coarse root samples of Quercus mongolica. were collected monthly during the growing seasons of 2021 (wet year), 2022 (dry year), and 2023 (normal year). The changes in nonstructural carbon and its components (soluble sugar and starch) were analyzed; the NSC (Non-Structural Carbohydrate) content of coarse root was primarily starch, and it increased significantly with seasonal changes (P<0.05). The NSC and starch contents were highest during the wet season, followed by the normal and dry seasons. The starch content was highest on the sunny slope, followed by the semi-sunny and shady slopes regions (P<0.05). Slope characteristics affect the NSC and component contents of coarse roots, as NSC and component contents change in response to potential evapotranspiration gradients. The findings provide a better understanding of the mechanisms controlling carbon distribution within plant underground organs in response to arid conditions.

Key words: southern of Daxing’anling Mountains, nonstructural carbohydrates, Quercus mongolica, root system, slope aspect