Preliminary study on measurement of intact root respiration of Pinus densiflora seedlings

Abstract

A laboratory study was conducted to measure the intact root respiration (R A) of Pinus densiflora seedlings in May 2010. To investigate the contribution of R A to total soil respiration (R S) and the temporal pattern of intact R A, closed and open-flow root chamber systems were used. The R A of 3-year-old P. densiflora seedlings was 9.83 nmol CO2 g−1 s−1. The R A to R S ranged from 53 to 58%. The intact R A was strongly temperature-dependent (P < 0.001). Continuous measurement using an open-flow chamber system can be useful in minimizing the disturbance of root systems as a short-term measurement. This preliminary study can be applicable to field measurements for the quantification of annual R A in a P. densiflora stand. © 2011 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.