Testing allometric scaling relationships in plant roots
Abstract Background Metabolic scaling theory predicts that plant productivity and biomass are both size-dependent. However, this theory has not yet been tested in plant roots. Methods In this study, we tested how metabolic scaling occurs in plants using a comprehensive plant root dataset made up of...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
2020-10-01
|
| Series: | Forest Ecosystems |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40663-020-00269-6 |
| _version_ | 1797967949170999296 |
|---|---|
| author | Qiang Deng Zhiyou Yuan Xinrong Shi T. Ryan Lock Robert L. Kallenbach |
| author_facet | Qiang Deng Zhiyou Yuan Xinrong Shi T. Ryan Lock Robert L. Kallenbach |
| author_sort | Qiang Deng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Metabolic scaling theory predicts that plant productivity and biomass are both size-dependent. However, this theory has not yet been tested in plant roots. Methods In this study, we tested how metabolic scaling occurs in plants using a comprehensive plant root dataset made up of 1016 observations from natural habitats. We generated metabolic scaling exponents by log-transformation of root productivity versus biomass. Results Results showed that the metabolic scaling exponents of fine root (< 2 mm in diameter) productivity versus biomass were close to 1.0 for all ecosystem types and functional groups. Scaling exponents decreased in coarse roots (> 2 mm in diameter). Conclusions We found isometric metabolic scaling in fine roots, a metabolically active organ similar to seedlings or saplings. Our findings also indicate a shift in metabolic scaling during plant development. Overall, our study supports the absence of any unified single constant scaling exponent for metabolism-biomass relationships in terrestrial plants, especially for forests with woody species. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T02:39:19Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c172304f67854776bf7ddd157ff87ed0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2197-5620 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T02:39:19Z |
| publishDate | 2020-10-01 |
| publisher | KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Forest Ecosystems |
| spelling | doaj.art-c172304f67854776bf7ddd157ff87ed02023-01-02T19:30:21ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Forest Ecosystems2197-56202020-10-017111110.1186/s40663-020-00269-6Testing allometric scaling relationships in plant rootsQiang Deng0Zhiyou Yuan1Xinrong Shi2T. Ryan Lock3Robert L. Kallenbach4State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water ResourcesState Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water ResourcesState Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water ResourcesDivision of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, University of MissouriDivision of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, University of MissouriAbstract Background Metabolic scaling theory predicts that plant productivity and biomass are both size-dependent. However, this theory has not yet been tested in plant roots. Methods In this study, we tested how metabolic scaling occurs in plants using a comprehensive plant root dataset made up of 1016 observations from natural habitats. We generated metabolic scaling exponents by log-transformation of root productivity versus biomass. Results Results showed that the metabolic scaling exponents of fine root (< 2 mm in diameter) productivity versus biomass were close to 1.0 for all ecosystem types and functional groups. Scaling exponents decreased in coarse roots (> 2 mm in diameter). Conclusions We found isometric metabolic scaling in fine roots, a metabolically active organ similar to seedlings or saplings. Our findings also indicate a shift in metabolic scaling during plant development. Overall, our study supports the absence of any unified single constant scaling exponent for metabolism-biomass relationships in terrestrial plants, especially for forests with woody species.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40663-020-00269-6AllometryBiomassMetabolic scalingPlant rootsProductivity |
| spellingShingle | Qiang Deng Zhiyou Yuan Xinrong Shi T. Ryan Lock Robert L. Kallenbach Testing allometric scaling relationships in plant roots Forest Ecosystems Allometry Biomass Metabolic scaling Plant roots Productivity |
| title | Testing allometric scaling relationships in plant roots |
| title_full | Testing allometric scaling relationships in plant roots |
| title_fullStr | Testing allometric scaling relationships in plant roots |
| title_full_unstemmed | Testing allometric scaling relationships in plant roots |
| title_short | Testing allometric scaling relationships in plant roots |
| title_sort | testing allometric scaling relationships in plant roots |
| topic | Allometry Biomass Metabolic scaling Plant roots Productivity |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40663-020-00269-6 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT qiangdeng testingallometricscalingrelationshipsinplantroots AT zhiyouyuan testingallometricscalingrelationshipsinplantroots AT xinrongshi testingallometricscalingrelationshipsinplantroots AT tryanlock testingallometricscalingrelationshipsinplantroots AT robertlkallenbach testingallometricscalingrelationshipsinplantroots |