Study On The Root Architecture Of Four Plants And Their Ecological Adaptability In Desert Steppe Of Inner Mongolia

In this study, the ecological adaptability of plant root architecture to the degenerative succession was studied in the communities with different degradation level in desert steppe. Based on the plant community survey, four plant communities with four degradation level (light, moderate, high and extreme degradation) were selected in the desert steppe at the county of SiZiWang in Inner Mongolia.The root of Potentilla bifurca, Artemisia frigida, Cleistogenes songorica, Stipa breviflora were studied by the excavation methods in May, June, August, September of2011. The root architecture parameters were getting. With reference to the corresponding soil water content and soil bulk density in the community, the following conclusions was obtained.The parameters of total root volume and number of root tips played a crucial role in P. bifurca root architecture. Roots with a diameter1.0-1.5mm、2.0-2.5mm,2.5-3.0mm and0-0.5mm had a significant effect on root volume of P. bifurca. Root architecture of creeping rooted P. bifurca with many big roots horizontally expanding to a large area was the main ecological strategy adapted to the arid and infertile soil environment of desert steppe.The parameters of root surface area and number of furcations played a crucial role in A. frigida root architecture. The formation of the adventitious root in ramets and increase of the number of root furcation of axial rooted A. frigida in harmful environment were the main ecological strategy adapted to the degradation in the community of desert steppe.The parameters of number of crossing and root average diameter played a crucial role in C. songorica root architecture.The growth of fine roots of sparse cluster plant C. songorica in the poor soil conditions was inhibited.The parameters of total root length and root surface area played a crucial role in S. breviflora root architecture. The root of dense cluster plant the S. breviflora was intensive, whose newborn lateral roots in the edge of plant could supply water and whose root distribution was gradually shallow in the degradation grassland.