Adrian Nicolucci
Soil Characteristics and their Relationship to Tree Root Density and Morphology © 2013
Good soil quality, a product of physical and chemical characteristics, is essential for sustaining tree root growth, as well as nutirent and water uptake by root systems. In this study, a mature apple tree (Malus domestica) was excavated to collect lateral root biomass density (to 50cm dee) along with associated soild characteristics. A baseline analysis of root density is established for a healthy apple tree, in favorable growing conditions, using a mulitvariate approach that included distance and soil characteristics. Using spatial interpolation methods, soil characteristic surfaces were predicted and compared with lateral root distribution, sampled in 1-m2 quadrats. The fine root distribution of a healthy tree was also established using One-Way ANOVA. Fine roots were found to be spatially distributed evenly up to 3m away from the tree stem; after 3 m fine root biomass decreased significantly. The average vertical depth of tree roots (>25 mm) was 25.3 cm. This research provides baseline data on lateral root distribution under ideal soil conditions.