Abstract
The use of a simple counting method using a borescope and minirhizotron system to study the interaction of roots of wild cherry trees (Prunus avium L) and pasture in an upland silvopastoral system is described. Operator variation was greatest when distinguishing different tree root categories (e.g. white, brown, woody) but was not significant in relation to total tree or grass root counts or species differences. Analysis of covariance was used to take these differences into account in a field trial using several operators. The seasonal patterns of tree and pasture root growth were different. Tree roots peaked in May before maximal shoot growth. The peak in pasture roots occurred two weeks earlier. Tree height growth was increased by the use of herbicides to control grass growth but this effect was only apparent during August when the soil was dry and when pasture root counts were reduced.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Andrén O, Rajkai K and Kätterer T (1991) A non destructive technique for studies of root distribution in relation to soil moisture. Agric Ecosystems Environ 34: 269–278
Atkinson D (1977) Some observations on the root growth of young apple trees and their uptake of nutrients when grown in herbicide strips in grassed orchards. Plant and Soil 46: 459–471
Atkinson D (1980) The distribution and effectiveness of the roots of tree crops. Hortic Rev 2: 424–490
Atkinson D and Mackie-Dawson LA (1990) Root growth. Methods of measurement. In: Smith KA and Mullins CE (eds) Soil Analysis: Physical Methods, pp 447–510. Marcel Dekker Inc., New York
Ayub N, Mackie-Dawson LA and Killham K (1994) Effect of VAM inoculation on 15N transfer between mycorrhizal hosts in a simulated agroforestry system. Pak J Phytopath (in press)
Buckland ST, Campbell CD, Mackie-Dawson LA, Horgan GW and Duff EI (1993) A method for counting roots observed in minirhizotrons and their theoretical conversion to root lengthy density. Plant and Soil 153: 1–9
Campbell CD, Atkinson D, Jarvis PG and Newbould P (1994) Effects of nitrogen fertiliser tree/pasture competition during the establishment phase of a silvopastoral system. Ann Appl Biol 124: 83–96
Cheng W, Coleman DC and Box JE (1991) Measuring root turnover using the minirhizotron technique. Agric Ecosystems Environ 34: 261–267
Connor DJ, Sands R and Strandgard M (1989) Competition for water, light and nutrients in agroforestry association ofPinus radiata and pasture. In: Reifsnyder WS and Darnhofer TO (eds) Meteorology and Agroforestry, pp 451–462. Proceedings of International Workshop, Nairobi, Kenya, February 9–13, 1987. ICRAF
Eastam J and Rose CW (1990) Tree/pasture interactions at a range of tree densities in an agroforestry experiment. I. Rooting Patterns. Aus J Agric Res 41: 683–695
Frame J (1981) Herbage mass. In: Hodgson J, Baker RD, Davies A, Laidlaw AS and Leaver JD (eds) Sward Measurement Handbook, pp 39–70. The British Grassland Society
Garwood EA (1967) Seasonal variation in appearance and growth of grass roots. J Brit Grass Soc 22: 121–130
Garwood EA and Williams TE (1967) Growth, water use and nutrient uptake from the subsoil by grass swards. J Agric Sci 69: 125–130
Gillespie AR (1989) Modelling nutrient flux and interspecies root competition in agroforestry interplantings. Agroforestry Systems 8: 257–265
Hodgson J, Mackie CK, Parker JWG (1986) Sward surface heights for efficient grazing. Grass Farmer 24: 5–10.
Khatamian H, Pair JC and Carrow R (1984) Effects of turf competition and fertiliser application on trunk diameter and nutrient composition of Honeylocust. J Arbor 10: 156–159
Lyr H and Hoffman G (1967) Growth rates and growth periodicity of tree roots. Internl Rev For Res 2: 181–236
Mackie-Dawson LA, Buckland ST, Duff EI, Pratt SM, Reid EJ and Millard P (1989) The use ofin situ techniques for the investigation of root growth. Asp Appl Biol 22: 349–356
Millard P and Proe MF (1991) Leaf demography and the seasonal internal cycling of nitrogen in sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) seedlings in relation to nitrogen supply. New Phytol 117: 587–596
Montieth JL, Ong CG and Corlett JE (1991) Microclimate interactions in agroforestry systems. For Ecol Manage 45: 31–44
Ong CK, Corlett JE, Singh RP and Black CR (1991) Above and below ground interactions in agroforestry systems. For Ecol Manage 45: 45–57
Taylor HM, Upchurch DR and McMichael BL (1990) Applications and limitations of rhizotrons and minirhizotrons for root studies. Plant and Soil 129: 29–35
Woods PV, Nambiar EKS, Smethhurst PJ (1992) Effect of annual weeds on water and nitrogen availability toPinus radiata trees in a young plantation. For Ecol Manage 48: 145–163
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Campbell, C.D., Mackie-Dawson, L.A., Reid, E.J. et al. Manual recording of minirhizotron data and its application to study the effect of herbicide and nitrogen fertiliser on tree and pasture root growth in a silvopastoral system. Agroforest Syst 26, 75–87 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00707007
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00707007