Soil carbon sequestration is perhaps one of the significant functional attributes of below-ground components in an ecosystem, but its quantitative estimation is quite problematic.
To my knowledge, fine roots are good conductors for nutrient foraging and nutrient enrichment in the soil. But in root traits, how much contribution is being made by coarse roots instead of fine roots? What kind of interrelationship takes place with soil carbon sequestration and how do we promote the rate of soil carbon sequestration?
Many would argue that mycorrhizal colonization can be considered a root functional trait and the relative presence of these fungal symbionts in roots is directly correlated with soil carbon stability as they incorporate C into stable compounds within their mycelial networks. Therefore a shift the presence of plant functional types from non-mycorrhizal to mycorrhizal can potentially increase soil C stability within the ecosystem. Whether you consider soil C sequestration and stability to be the same is not always clear cut but they achieve a similar result i.e. reduce soil CO2 efflux.
I would check out
De Deyn GB, Cornelissen JH, Bardgett RD. Plant functional traits and soil carbon sequestration in contrasting biomes. Ecol Lett. 2008;11:516–31. doi: 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2008.01164.x
Wilson GWT, Rice CW, Rillig MC, Springer A, Hartnett DC. Soil aggregation and carbon sequestration are tightly correlated with the abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: results from long-term field experiments. Ecol Lett. 2009;12:452–61. doi: 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2009.01303.x.
Plant-soil interactions in a changing world
Richard D. Bardgett 2011
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3155187/
I think that one of the major sources can be charcoal deposition that is quite depending on water and carbon solubilization, This can occur more or less as a technique or by fires in poor oxygen or on reducing conditions; arference with many comments cab be Cornell University (2006, March 1). Amazonian Terra Preta Can Transform Poor Soil Into Fertile. ScienceDaily. Retrieved September 25, 2013,
Did not add that hence a functional trait could be charcoal yield under fire..
Dear Collins, Thanks for your nice comments. All these research articles you mention in the comments are taken for updating knowledge. You described the role of mycorrhizal strain make more functional root traits.
Dear collins, infection of mycorrhiza in the root component especially with fine roots are some how dependent with quality and quantity of root exudates, below-ground environmental feasibility etc. Normally, 10-35 percent of carbon source goes to the below-ground via root exudates. I guess, fine roots and degree of mycorrhizal infection would be directly related with soil carbon sequestration.
Hello Bongi Sir,
Root functional traits e.g. fine roots play an important role in nutrient foraging and deposition of liquid but stable carbon via root exudates. This quantity of carbon will be used by micro organisms (especially saprophytes) and thus that carbon will definitely utilize for energy and for structure build up. So Fine root biomass and microbial biomass carbon can be significantly correlated with soil carbon sequestration.
Well the problem is the carbon mean life; the fraction you meant is very important but its turnover rate is shorter than charcoal. In wet systems this porous form of carbon is essential for retaining nutrients and avoids red soils; thanks for attention
I did recently end a check about organic carbon and a putative index is a specific catabolic protein that is glomalin. Even if black carbon is very long lasting also glomalin has got sufficient half life (50Y), comes from Glomus and is widespread. A direct analysis of it is a quality index of soil or proxies like WSA or even soil reflectance are possible. P.see S.Wright literature. Plants ability to produce G is therefore a complex character depending on fungal colonization and soil characters but in natural vegetation is probably the active componenet of SOC.
Very interesting discussion, professors, and I learnt a lot. For the role of fine root taking in stabilizing organic carbon, I have a small question. Fine root forage nutrient from stabilized carbon on one hand (when carbon is not that accessible), but they also exudate labile carbon into soils. So, I am guessing that their overall role in carbon stabilization depending on these two opposite aspects. Is that right?
Dear Ruzhen Wang,
I worked in the Institute of Applied Ecology during 2004-5. I can tell you clear answer, about 10-35 percent carbon is released in the soil through Root exudate, but, nutrient foraging by fine roots for N and P not for carbon. Once a fine root played the role for nutrient foraging then that fine root will die. Therefore, dead fine roots are good source of nutrient as well as carbon for saprotrophs. It is matter of species specific, how much quantity of fine roots biomass producing with respect to life span of a plant. Ideally, photosynthetic output is significantly responsible for fine root production, but if a plant is living in a limited and stressful environment and in addition nutrients (N and P) are limited, in that condition, plant may produce more fine roots stead of structural component like coarse root and stem.
In brief, carbon sequestration in below ground system is not clearly understood, so far I can not say with evidence.
Cool! Thanks so much for your detailed answer, Mr. Singh. And I feel very glad to know that you visited IAE,CAS before and hope to see you in IAE in future!