2013 Fiscal Year Final Research Report
Decomposition of tree fine roots and nutrient dynamics in relation to symbiotic microbes
| Project/Area Number |
22380083
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Section | 一般 |
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| Research Field |
Forest science
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| Research Institution | The University of Tokyo |
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Principal Investigator |
NARA Kazuhide 東京大学, 新領域創成科学研究科, 准教授 (60270899)
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| Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha) |
TANAKA Megumi 東京大学, 大学院・新領域創成科学研究科, 特任研究員 (40401301)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2010-04-01 – 2014-03-31
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| Keywords | 物質循環 / 菌根 / 分解 |
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| Research Abstract |
Fine roots of trees are mostly colonized by mycorrhizal fungi. Due to the short turnover periods of mycorrhizal root tips, annual organic input into soil from mycorrhizal roots exceeds the amount of above-ground leaf litter. But, the decomposition process of mycorrhizal roots is largely unknown. In this study, we buried mesh-bags containing mycorrhizal roots under forest floor and monitored decomposition processes over two years. We found that the decomposition of mycorrhizal roots was far slower than that of leaf materials. A model estimated that nearly 20 years would be required for 95% decomposition of mycorrhizal roots. In contrast to the decrease in total dry mass and C amount during decomposition, N amount significantly increased even at the end of the monitoring period, probably due to the colonization of nitrogen rich fungi and bacteria. We also identified bacteria and fungi that were responsible for the decomposition of mycorrhizal roots.
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