Root respiration rate

This improved P uptake occurs in exchange for the provision of G from the host plant, and the carbon requirements of the mycorrhizal association can be substantial. For example. Baas et al. (1989) showeci root respiration rates of mycorrhizal plant to be 20-30% higher than those of nonmycorrhizal plants. Similarly,... 

Jakobsen and Rosendahl (1990) observed 20% of plant carbon to be allocated below ground for nonmycorrhizal cucumber plants and 44% for those with mycorrhizal associations. In both cases, about half of this was respired. Working with subtropical Citrus species, Peng et al. (1993) suggested that root respiration rates were about 35% higher for mycorrhizal than for nonmycorrhizal roots. 

Two general approaches, component integration and whole system analysis have been used for to assess soil and root respiration (Anderson 1982 Hanson et al. 2000 Bostrom et al. 2007). In component integration the net respiration is determined by summing the respiration rates of the individual components (roots, plant residues, and soil). The disadvantage of this approach is the physical separation of these materials and that interactions between components cannot be evaluated. 

Figure 6.3 Aerenchyma development and changes in respiration rate along the length of maize roots grown in anoxic media (adapted from Armstrong et al., 1991a). Reproduced by permission of Backhuys publishers...

In the model, the internal structure of the root is described as three concentric cylinders corresponding to the central stele, the cortex and the wall layers. Diffu-sivities and respiration rates differ in the different tissues. The model allows for the axial diffusion of O2 through the cortical gas spaces, radial diffusion into the root tissues, and simultaneous consumption in respiration and loss to the soil. A steady state is assumed, in which the flux of O2 across the root base equals the net consumption in root respiration and loss to the soil. This is realistic because root elongation is in general slow compared with gas transport. The basic equation is... 

Todd reported that the respiration of pinto bean leaves was stimulated by exposure to ozone (at 4 ppm for 40 min). The first measurements were 4 h after the ozone exposure. The respiration rate later declined to the control value. In all cases, increased respiration correlated well with visible injury. MacdowalP confirmed these results, but made an additional observation during the first hour after ozone exposure (at 0.7 ppm for 1 h), and before visible symptoms appeared, respiration was inhibited. The increase in respiration took place only later, when visible symptoms appeared. Dugger and Palmer" reported an increase in respiration in lemon leaf tissue after 5 days of exposure to ozone at 0.15-0.25 ppm for 8 h/day. They reported no morphologic changes at that time. Anderson and Taylor S found that ozone induced carbon dioxide evolution in tobacco callus tissue. The threshold for evolution was about 0.1 ppm for 2 h in the sensitive Bel W,. The ozone concentration required for maximal carbon dioxide evolution was about twice as much in the more resistant cultivar. Formation of roots decreased sensitivity. 

R. and Buschbom, R. L. The interdependent effects of soil temperature and water content on soil respiration rate and plant root decomposition in arid gra%sland soils. Soil Biol, and Biochem. 7 373-378 (1975). 

The increase of atmospheric CO2 may have decreased the pH of precipitation very slightly, but PcOj in soils is far more important for the acid-base status of surface waters. Variation in forest soil Pco is related to the temperature and moisture content of soils as well as the release of excess soil CO2 to the atmosphere. Warmer conditions increase the rate of microbial and root respiration in the soil, thereby increasing soil Pco above the long-term average value and producing short-term increases in runoff ANC, and vice versa. Norton et al. (2001) found that intra-seasonal variations in Pco caused by variable snowpack thickness could induce variation in ANC in runoff of 10-15 peqL Such variability is comparable to variability in ANC caused by a 15-20 p.eqL change in SO4 in runoff. Decline in soil Pco, despite increased temperature and possibly increased soil respiration could result from a lower soil moisture content and a greater efflux of soil CO2. 

Vegetated soils have higher CO2 contents, due to root respiration, than bare soils, and the presence of decomposable organic matter increases O2 uptake and hence CO2 production (Table 14-111). The very process of preparing soils for cultivation increases their aeration and rates of both gaseous exchange and organic matter mineralisation. 

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