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ARS Home » Northeast Area » University Park, Pennsylvania » Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #156777
Title: MULTIPLE RISK FACTORS IN ROOT SURVIVORSHIPS A FOU YEAR STUDY IN CONCORD GRAPE

Author
item ANDERSON, L - PENN STATE UNIV.
item Comas, Louise
item LASKO, A - CORNELL UNIV.
item EISSENSTAT, D - PENN STATE UNIV.

Submitted to: New Phytologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/10/2003
Publication Date: 6/20/2003
Citation: Anderson, L.J., Comas, L.H., Lasko, A.N., Eissenstat, D.M. 2003. Multiple risk factors in root suvivorships: a 4-year study in Concord grape. New Phytologist. 158(3):489-501.

Interpretive Summary: Minirhizotron techniques were used to examine root lifespan in Concord grape for roots born in four different years that varied in rainfall. Root survival was assessed from 1997 through 2000 in vines with and without irrigation and with minimal or heavy pruning treatments. We examined the affects of pruning, irrigation, fruit production, soil depth, root morphology, timing of root birth, and numbers of neighboring roots on the survival of individual roots. Root diameter, soil depth and timing of birth consistently influenced root lifespan in all years. Thicker roots, roots produced deeper in the soil profile, and those produced later in the season had longer lifespans. Pruning and irrigation influenced root lifespan in some years but their effects seemed to vary with growing-season environmental conditions. These data underscore the value of long-term studies in distinguishing factors that consistently affect root lifespan from those that change annually with environmental conditions, and emphasize the diversity in life histories of fine roots within a species.

Technical Abstract: Minirhizotron techniques were used to examine root lifespan in Vitis labruscana (Concord grape) for roots born in four different years that varied in rainfall. Experimental vines were given irrigation (irrigated or not) and canopy pruning treatments (minimal or balanced). Root survival was assessed from 1997 through 2000 and analysed using Cox proportional hazards regression. Model covariates included pruning, irrigation, vine yield, soil depth, root diameter, time of root birth, and numbers of neighboring roots. Soil depth, root diameter and time of birth consistently influenced root lifespan in all years (P<0.05). Deeper and coarser roots had longer lifespans. Roots born near bloom were shorter-lived than roots born later in the season. Pruning and irrigation influenced root lifespan in some years but their effects seemed to vary with growing-season environmental conditions. These data underscore the value of long-term studies in distinguishing factors that consistently affect root lifespan from those that change annually with environmental conditions, and emphasize the diversity in life histories of fine roots within a species.