Coniferous and non-coniferous fine-root and rhizome production in Scots pine stands using the ingrowth bag method

Abstract

Total fine-root production decreased from the 7-yr to 20-yr-old Pinus sylvestris stands, and then increased slightly in the 85- to 104-yr-old stands. Most of the total fine-root biomass in the youngest age group came from non-conifer species; most of the total fine-root biomass in the three older age groups came from conifer species. The maximum coniferous fine-root production occurred at crown closure in the 11- to 13-yr-old stands. Rhizome production was the lowest and highest in the 20- and 85- to 105-yr-old stands, respectively. The increase in rhizome production in the 85- to 105-yr-old stands was associated with an abundant understory cover of Vaccinium myrtillus and V. vitis-idaea and an increase in light penetration. -from Authors