Distribution of photo-assimilated 14carbon in the root system of a shortgrass priarie

Singh, J. S. ; Coleman, D. C. (1974) Distribution of photo-assimilated 14carbon in the root system of a shortgrass priarie Journal of Ecology, 62 (2). pp. 359-365. ISSN 0022-0477

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Official URL: http://www.jstor.org/pss/2258984

Abstract

Shortgrass prairie plots (0· 5 m2) dominated by Bouteloua gracilis were labelled by liberating 14CO2 from a Na2 14CO3 solution inside polyethylene tents on 26 May, 12 July, and 13 September 1972. Three days after labelling, roots were sampled to a depth of 60 cm in 5-cm segments. Functional and non-functional roots were separated through autoradiography. Functional roots were combusted in a micro-bomb, and the CO2 released was absorbed in alkali. An aliquot of this solution was radio-assayed in a liquid scintillation counter in order to assess the specific activity of roots of different depths at different times in the growing season. About 62% of the roots receive the label, and there is an indication that with the advance of the growing season there is increasingly more storage of assimilates in the roots of upper depths. The roots of deeper layers are mostly replenished during the early part of the growing season.

Item Type:Article
Source:Copyright of this article belongs to John Wiley and Sons.
ID Code:73011
Deposited On:30 Nov 2011 07:26
Last Modified:30 Nov 2011 07:26

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