Progress 07/01/05 to 06/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This project led to experiments in the analysis of crop load on above and below ground physiology in grape and blueberry, the investigation of how temperature affects respiratory activity of roots and mycorrhizal fungi of wide latitudinal gradients, and in the form and function of roots of species of widely different life histories. We also examined how seasonal patterns of root growth in fruit crops relates to growth stages of the shoot including bud break, bloom and fruit harvest. Three MS students and 3 PhD students graduated under this project. Results have been disseminated in trade journals, grower field days and scientific meetings. Significant output is that timing of root growth is mainly in summer in many fruit crops, not in the spring and fall as often previously described, that in well managed fruit crops, there is only limited competition of fruit with root development, and soil moisture deficits generally do not cause roots to die unless the plants are very stressed. PARTICIPANTS: Louise H. Comas, Penn State University, Postdoctoral fellow; Jenny (Edwards) Dauer, Penn State University, M.S. student (2005); Jennifer Withington, Penn State University, PhD student (2005); Taryn Bauerle, Penn State University, PhD student (2007); Huining Xu, Penn State University, MS student (2008); Luis Valenzuela-Estrada, Penn State University, PhD student (2008); Jane Wubbels, Penn State University, MS student (2010); Alan N. Lakso, Cornell University, Collaborator; David R. Smart, UC Davis, Collaborator; James H. Richards, UC Davis, Collaborator; Frederick Meizner, US Forest Service, Corvallis, OR, Colaborator; Peter Reich, Univ Minnesota, Collaborator; Marcin Zadworny, Instit. of Dendrology, Polish National Acad Sci.,Poland; Jacek Oleksyn,Instit. of Dendrology, Polish National Acad Sci.,Poland; and Sarah Hobbie, Univ Minnesota, Collaborator. TARGET AUDIENCES: Audiences include extension agents and growers who manage apples and grapes, modelers who are working to understand how climate change may affect terrestrial carbon cycles and land managers who may shift management practices of forest lands or nonforest lands to increase carbon sequestration. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Our research is providing for a better understanding of the factors controlling root respiration and root turnover in a range of ecosystems, the role of roots in Ca acquisition and the ability to model these effects in diverse ecosystems and in a variety of plants. These results can significantly improve the ability of growers to manage their crops and forest managers interested in increasing C sequestration to mitigate climate change.
Publications
- Mueller, K. E., A. F. Diefendorf, K. H. Freeman, and D. M. Eissenstat. 2010. Appraising the roles of nutrient availability, global change, and functional traits during the angiosperm rise to dominance. Ecology Letters 13:E1-E6.
- Trocha, L. K., J. Mulcha, D. M. Eissenstat, P. B. Reich, and J. Oleksyn. 2010. Ectomycorrhizal identity determines respiration and concentrations of nitrogen and non-structural carbohydrates in root tips: a test using Pinus sylvestris and Quercus robur saplings. Tree Physiology 30(5):648-654. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/treephys/tpq014.
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Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: We examined root growth, physiology and function in blueberry, grape and in temperate trees planted in a common garden. The influence of crop load in blueberry and its effects of root growth and function is continued to be assessed. In general, blueberry crop had little effect on root growth and function. Blueberry has very fine roots that can limit nocturnal rehydration of the finest roots located in dry soil. Based on research in grape, we have characterized how roots shift their capacity for nitrate uptake with root age. We also have continued work on how the finest lateral roots vary in form and function among plant species of different life-history strategies and different plant ancestries including how root architecture and type of mycorrhiza co-vary. We also have conducted work on how elevated carbon dioxide influence root growth and longevity. PARTICIPANTS: Luis R. Valenzuela-Estrada. Graduate student, PhD Penn State, 2008. Louise H. Comas. Graduate student, PhD Penn State, 2001. Postdoc. 2008-2009. Taryn L. Bauerle. Graduate student, PhD Penn State, 2007. Postdoc. 2008. Present position: Department of Horticulture, Cornell University. Still collaborates on research. Jenny M. (Edwards) Dauer. Graduate student, MS, Penn State, 2005. Volder A. Postdoc., 2003-2005. Present position: Department of Horticulture, Texas A&M University. Still collaborates on research. Laurel J. Anderson. Postdoc 2005-2006. Present position: Department of Biology, Ohio Wesleyan University. Thomas Adams. Technician. Partner organizations, collaborators and contacts. Cornell University: Alan N Lakso, NYAES, Geneva. Richard Dunst, Viticulture Lab, Fredonia. University of Minnesota: Sarah Hobbie, Peter Reich, Institute of Dendrology, Kornik, Poland. Marcin Zadworny, Jacek Oleksyn University of Bologna and University of Bolzano, Italy. Andrea Masia, Elene Baldi, Massimo Tagliavini Training or professional development. Marc Goebel. Ph.D. candidate in Ecology, Penn State University Kevin Mueller. Ph.D candidate in Ecology, Penn State University M. Luke McCormack. Ph.D candidate in Ecology, Penn State University Quanying Du. Ph.D candidate in Ecology, Penn State University Jane Wubbels. M.S. candidate in Horticulture, Penn State University Serena Polvergiani. 9-month training, Ph.D. candidate, Department of Environmental and Crop Science. Agricultural Faculty - Universita Politecnica delle Marche, Italy Christian Cecco. 9-month training. Ph.D. candidate, Department of Environmental and Crop Science. University of Bologna, Italy Marie Frost Arndal. 3-month training. University of Copehagen, Denmark TARGET AUDIENCES: The audiences targeted with this research include other researchers where a better understanding of root biology and ecology can aid in their investigations as well as growers and county extension agents that can use this information to better manage root systems of fruit crops. The ecological and climate change research can also help inform what policy makes on factors influencing carbon and nutrient cycling in the face of climate change. My efforts to effect change include papers in peer-refereed journals, talks to growers and articles in popular press. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
My research is providing for a better understanding of patterns of root growth and development in fruit crops and other woody plants. This will allow for improved management practices associated with irrigation and cropping. Some of this work has been included in a model designed to help in the management of grape vines.
Publications
- Anderson, L.J., J.D. Derner, H.W. Polley, W.S. Gordon, D.M. Eissenstat, and R.B. Jackson. 2009. Root responses along a subambient to elevated CO2 gradient in a C3-C4 grassland. Global Change Biology. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2486.2009.01975.x.
- Comas, L.H. and D.M. Eissenstat. 2009. Patterns in root trait variation among 25 co-existing North American forest species. New Phytologist 182:919-928.
- Volder, A., L.J. Anderson, D.R. Smart, A.J. Bloom, A.N. Lakso, and D.M. Eissenstat. 2009. Estimating nitrogen uptake of individual roots in container and field-grown plants using a 15N-depletion approach. Functional Plant Biology 36:621-628.
- Valenzuela-Estrada, L.R, J.H. Richards, A. Diaz, and D.M. Eissenstat. 2009. Patterns of nocturnal rehydration in root tissues of Vaccinium corymbosum L. under severe drought conditions. Journal of Experimental Botany 60:1241-1247.
- Lakso, A.N., D. Intrigliolo, and D.M. Eissenstat. 2008. Modeling Concord grapes with 'VitiSim', a simplified carbon balance model: understanding pruning effects. Acta Hort. (ISHS) 803:243-250.
- Dauer, J.M., J.M. Withington, J. Chorover, O.A. Chadwick, J. Oleksyn, P.B. Reich, and D.M. Eissenstat. 2009. A scanner-based approach to soil profile-wall mapping of root distribution. Dendrobiology. (In Press).
- Hobbie, S.E., J. Oleksyn, D.M. Eissenstat, and P.B. Reich. 2009. Fine root decomposition rates do not mirror those of leaf litter among temperate tree species. Oecologia. (In Press).
- Comas, L.H., T.L. Bauerle, and D.M. Eissenstat. 2009. Biological and environmental factors controlling root dynamics and function: Effects of root aging and soil moisture. Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research. (In Press).
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Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: We examined root growth, physiology and function in juice and wine grapes and in temperate trees planted in a common garden. The influence of crop load in Concord grape and its effects of root growth and function is continued to be assessed. Very low crop load has been found to increase mycorrhizal colonization and root density near the vine but in general, cropping has only modest effects. We also have continued work on how the finest lateral roots vary in form and function among plant species of different life-history strategies. We examined how grape rootstocks of different vigor forage for soil moisture. A rootstock of higher vigor tends to exhibit more root growth plasticity but exhibits less root growth deeper in the soil. We also found that nocturnal hydraulic redistribution was critical for maintaining the water status of roots in dry soil layers. Apple roots produced over the growing season may be colonized by different fungi, some beneficial, others not. Mycorrhizal fungi typically colonize subpopulations roots in the less than a week. Roots not colonized may be colonized by non-mycorrhizal fungi. Roots are very rarely colonized by both mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal fungi. Mycorrhizal roots tend to be healthier as indicated by faster growth rate and growth for a longer period of time. Anatomy, morphology and longevity of blueberry roots were described by branching order. The finest three orders are mainly used for absorption with higher order roots used for transport and support. PARTICIPANTS: David Bryla was a postdoc for some of this research and is now a Research Scientist with the USDA. Jose Lopez-Gutierrez was a postdoc for some of the research Glenna Malcolm worked on and completed her PhD for the research published. Taryn Bauerle worked on and completed her PhD for much of the research published. Luis Valenzuela worked on and completed his PhD for much of the research published. David Smart and Jim Richards are associate and full professors at UC Davis. Research training of undergraduates was provided for Maryanne Resendes & Leah Ruth, Dept Horticulture, Penn State and Vivianette Vera, Univ Puerto Rico. TARGET AUDIENCES: Audience is other researchers and growers in areas of fruit crops. Also, information to inform policymakers on global climate change. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
My research is providing for a better understanding of patterns of root growth and development in fruit crops and other woody plants. This will allow for improved management practices associated with irrigation and cropping.
Publications
- Valenzuela-Estrada, L. R., V. Vera-Caraballo, L. E. Ruth, and D. M. Eissenstat. 2008. Root anatomy, morphology and longevity among root orders in Vaccinium corymbosum (Ericaceae). American Journal of Botany. 95: 1506-1514. DOI: 10.3732/ajb.0800092.
- Resendes, M. L., D. R. Bryla, and D. M. Eissenstat. 2008. Early events in the life of apple roots: variation in root growth rate is linked to mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal fungal colonization, Plant and Soil. 313: 175-186. DOI: 10.1007/s11104-008-9690-5.
- Bauerle, T. L., D. R. Smart, W. L. Bauerle, C. Stockert, and D. M. Eissenstat. 2008. Root foraging in response to heterogeneous soil moisture in two grapevines that differ in potential growth rate. New Phytologist. 179:857-866.
- Malcolm, G. M., J. C. Lopez-Gutierrez, R. T. Koide, and D. M. Eissenstat. 2008. Acclimation to temperature and temperature sensitivity of metabolism by ectomycorrhizal fungi. Global Change Biology. 14:1169-1180.
- Lopez-Gutierrez, J. C., G. M. Malcolm, R. T. Koide, and D. M. Eissenstat. 2008. Ectomycorrhizal fungi from Alaska and Pennsylvania: adaptation of mycelia respiratory response to temperature The New Phytologist. 180: 741-744.
- Bauerle, T. L., J. H. Richards, D. R. Smart, and D. M. Eissenstat. 2008. Importance of internal hydraulic redistribution for prolonging lifespan of roots in dry soil. Plant Cell & Environment. 31:171-186.
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: We examined root growth, physiology and function in juice and wine grapes and in a range of woody plants. The influence of the grape insect pest phylloxera on grape root biology was characterized in a field experiment and how plant potential growth rate may mitigate potential damage by the insect. The influence of crop load in Concord grape and blueberry and its effects of root growth and function is continued to be assessed. In general, effect of cropload in these crops has been more subtle than obvious. Impacts of crop load seem much more pronounced on aboveground vegetative growth than that belowground. This work was generously supported by the Viticulture Consortium-East and VC-West, NY Wine & Grape Foundation, and other various foundations. We have continued basic research towards a better understanding of how plants and fungi of different latitudinal origins respond to temperature using funds supported by the National Science Foundation. We also have continued work on
how the finest lateral roots vary in form and function among plant species of different life-history strategies. We are examining root growth plasticity among species of contrasting root form. We are examining how different trees acquire Ca, and its consequences on ecosystem properties which is also funded by the National Science Foundation. Species with growth responses most sensitive to Ca supply appear to be the greatest accumulators of Ca and more capable of acquiring Ca from deeper soil layers. Species with low Ca requirement either avoid uptake of Ca when at high supply or sequester the Ca in the root system. We continue to pioneer ways of estimating nutrient uptake in the field and discussing strengths and limitations of different techniques. We also have had College of Agricultural Science funds to examine how warming affects whole plant physiology and root biology of arctic woody plants in Greenland, which has also provided valuable experiences for undergraduates.
PARTICIPANTS: My research projects have involved numerous collaborators. For my Concord grape project, collaborators include Alan N. Lakso (P.I.) and Rick Dunst (co-P.I.), Cornell University. This has been a long-term collaboration (12 years) that has led to numerous publications and advancements to root biology in general and Concord grape management in particular. Recent students trained on the project is Huining Xu (M.S. in IBIOS) and the Schreyer's Honor's thesis of Katherine Meyers. For my California wine grape project, collaborators include David Smart, James Richards and Jeff Granett, Univ. California at Davis. This project has advanced our understanding of irrigation management and grape vine root biology in Western vineyards as well as provided training for one Ph.D. student (Taryn Bauerle). For my project on calcium cycling in forest stands, collaborators include: Peter Reich (PI) Univ. Minnesota, Sarah Hobbie and Jacek Oleksyn (co-PI, Univ. Minnesota), Jon Chorover (co-PI,
Univ. Arizona), Oliver Chadwick (co-PI, Univ. California, Santa Barbara) and Mark Tjoelker (co-PI, Texas A&M Univ.). This project has advanced our understanding of how trees influence ecosystems as well as variation among species in root traits and their links to leaf traits. The project has provided training and international experience two students (Jenny Edwards and Jennifer Withington), including a publication in 2007 in Biogeochemistry. Present students working on the project include Kevin Mueller (Ph.D. candidate in Ecology) and Marc Goebel (Ph.D. candidate in Ecology). Also as a result of this project, Dr. Marcin Zadworny obtained a Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Polish Government to work in my laboratory from 2007-2008 on aspects of root biology and the ecology of root lifespan. Another project involving international experiences is my Greenland Project (P.I., Eric Post, Department of Biology, Penn State Univ.). This project has provided field research experience and
international experience for several undergraduate students, including Erin Henry (ERM major) and Leah Ruth (Horticulture Major). Another project providing international experience is my project examining nitrogen effects on tree root biology. One of the field sites is in northeast China, in collaboration with Dali Guo (Peking University, Beijing) and Zhengquan Wang (Northeast Forestry University, Harbin). Collaborations have also been initiated with Massimo Tagliavini and Bruno Maringoni with both the University of Bologna and University of Bolzano, Italy on aspects of fruit tree root biology. I also am collaborating on a Critical Zone Observatory project with numerous investigators across Penn State University. Lead PIs: Christopher Duffy, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Susan Brantley, Department of Geosciences. Lastly, my student Kevin Mueller, obtained a DOE Fellowship to study recalcitrance of soil organic matter. He is being co-advised by Katherine Freeman,
Department of Geosciences and his DOE Mentor is Susan Trumbore, Univ. California at Irvine.
TARGET AUDIENCES: The research on fruit crop biology reaches a broad audience, local and international, applied and basic. Talks have been provided both to regional audiences such as the Lake Erie Regional Research Meeting to bring information to local growers and to international audiences where invited talks were provided to grower groups in Chile and Italy. Much of the work also has very basic implications and was given at such research groups and the International Meeting of Roots of Woody Plants, which met in Bangor, UK in September, 2007. Research publication have been in international journals such as Trees-Structure and Function, Plant, Cell and Environment and Biogeochemistry. Some of my work has also been picked up by local trade journals.
Impacts
Our research is providing for a better understanding of the factors controlling root respiration and root turnover in a range of ecosystems, the role of roots in Ca acquisition and the ability to model these effects in diverse ecosystems and in a variety of plants.
Publications
- Eissenstat D.M. 2007. Root dynamics in fruit crops. Italus Hortus 14:1-8.
- Dauer J.M., J. Chorover, O.A. Chadwick, J. Oleksyn, M.G. Tjoelker, S.E. Hobbie, P.B. Reich and D.M. Eissenstat. 2007. Controls over leaf and litter calcium concentrations among temperate trees. Biogeochemistry 86:175-187.
- Lucash M.S., D.M. Eissenstat, J.D. Joslin and R.D. Yanai. 2007. Estimating nutrient uptake by mature tree roots under field conditions: challenges and opportunities. Trees 21:593-603.
- Bauerle T.L., D.M. Eissenstat, J. Granett, D.M. Gardner and D.R. Smart. 2007. Consequences of insect herbivory on grape fine root systems with different growth rates. Plant Cell & Environment 30:786-795.
- Bauerle T.L. 2007. Root dynamics of Vitis vinifera. Ph.D. Thesis. The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. 132 pp.
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
We examined root growth, physiology, and function in juice and wine grapes and in a range of woody plants of a wide latitudinal gradient. The influence of crop load in Concord grape and its effects on root growth and function will continue to be assessed. Very low crop load has been found to increase mycorrhizal colonization and root density near the vine. Effects of crop load on root respiration were inconclusive. Low crop caused grape root growth initially to be stimulated in 2004 but effects were less noticeably in 2005 but were expressed again in 2006. We have continued basic research towards a better understanding of how plants and fungi of different latitudinal origins respond to temperature. New experiments have also been initiated to examine how warming affects whole plant physiology and root biology of arctic woody plants in Greenland. Compared to phylogenetically related plants at lower latitudes, plants from high latitudes usually exhibit higher respiration
rates at lower temperatures but exhibit lower thermal tolerance at higher temperatures. Leaves and mycorrhizal fungi of the same plants can show much wider thermal tolerance. These data can potentially be used for modeling the effects of warmer temperatures on species ranges. We also have continued work on how the finest lateral roots vary in form and function among plant species of different life-history strategies. We are examining root growth plasticity among species of contrasting root form. We also are examining how different trees acquire Ca, and its consequences on ecosystem properties. Species with growth responses most sensitive to Ca supply appear to be the greatest accumulators of Ca and more capable of acquiring Ca from deeper soil layers. Species with low Ca requirement either avoid uptake of Ca when at high supply or sequester the Ca in the root system.
Impacts
Our research is providing for a better understanding of the factors controlling root respiration and root turnover in a range of ecosystems, the role of roots in Ca acquisition and the ability to model these effects in diverse ecosystems and in a variety of plants.
Publications
- Eissenstat, D.M., Lakso, A.N., Neilsen, D., Smart, D.R., Bauerle, T.L., Comas, L.H. and Neilsen, G.H. 2006. Seasonal patterns of root growth in relation to shoot phenology in grape and apple In: Retamales, J.B., Lobos, G.A. Acta Horticulturae 721. Proceedings of the Fifth International Symposium on Mineral Nutrition of Fruit Plants, pp. 21-26.
- Eissenstat, D.M., Huang, X. and Lakso, A.N. 2006. Modeling carbon allocation below ground. In: Braun, P (ed.)Acta Horticulturae 707. VII International Symposium on Modeling in Fruit Research and Orchard Management, pp. 143-150.
- Withington, J.M., Reich, P.B., Oleksyn, J. and Eissenstat, D.M. 2006. Comparisons of structure and life span in roots and leaves among temperate trees. Ecological Monographs 76:381-397.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
We examined root growth, physiology and function in grape and apple and in a range of forest tree species. The influence of soil temperature on root respiration and electrolyte leakage in Concord grape indicated that Concord grape roots exhibit a near doubling of respiration rate to short-term 10C increase in temperature at temperatures at about 10C. At higher temperatures the increase is small. Roots exposed to 30C exhibit decreases in respiration and increases in electrolyte leakage. Drought also causes respiration to slow and increases electrolyte leakage. We also report on fours years of root growth observations in Concord grape. Root growth was primarily between bloom and veraison. Dry soil inhibited root growth and minimal winter pruning encouraged earlier root development over conventional balanced pruning. There was little evidence of root flushes in the spring or fall, suggesting that fall fertilization would be less available for plant uptake. In apple, we
completed three years of an experiment examining deficit irrigation and partial root zone drying (PRD; alternating irrigation from one side of the tree to the other) in Golden Delicious/M9 apple trees in Summerland, BC. PRD reduced plant water potential, stomatal conductance yield and fruit size more than irrigating one side of the tree constantly. We have continued basic research towards a better understanding of how plants and fungi of different latitudinal origins respond to temperature. New experiments have also been initiated to examine how warming affects whole plant physiology and root biology of arctic woody plants in Greenland. Compared to phylogenetically related plants at lower latitudes, plants from high latitudes usually exhibit higher respiration rates at lower temperatures but exhibit lower thermal tolerance at higher temperatures. These data can potentially be used for modeling the effects of warmer temperatures on species ranges. We also have continued work on how the
finest lateral roots vary in form and function among plant species of different life-history strategies. We are examining root growth plasticity among species of contrasting root form. We also are examining how different trees acquire Ca, and its consequences on ecosystem properties. Species with growth responses most sensitive to Ca supply appear to be the greatest accumulators of Ca. Species with low Ca requirement either avoid uptake of Ca when at high supply or sequester the Ca in the root system.
Impacts
Our results indicate that root growth in spring and fall is a rare occurrence in Concord grape, suggesting limited value of fall fertilization. Modeling the effects of global warming on plant and soil respiration needs to consider the potential for plant acclimation to higher temperature for temperate species and the low thermal tolerance of arctic species.
Publications
- Reich, P. B., Oleksyn, J., Modrzynski, J., Mrozinski, P., Hobbie, S. E., Eissenstat, D. M., Chorover, J., Chadwick, O. A., Hale, C. M. and Tjoelker, M. G. 2005. Linking litter calcium, earthworms and soil properties: a common garden test with 14 tree species. Ecology Letters 8:811-818.
- Comas, L. H., Anderson, L. J., Dunst, R. M., Lakso A. N. and Eissenstat. D. M. 2005. Canopy and environmental control of root dynamics in a long-term study of Concord grape. New Phytologist 167: 829-840.
- Bryla, D. R. and Eissenstat, D. M. 2005. Respiratory costs of mycorrhizal associations. In: Lambers, H, Ribas-Carbo, M., eds., Plant Respiration: From Cell to Ecosystem. Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration Series, Vol. 18, Springer-Verlag, New York, pp 207-224.
- Lakso, A. N. and Eissenstat, D. M. 2005. Crop load physiology, modeling and relationships to root growth in grapevines. Proc. 12th Austral. Wine Ind. Tech. Conference, (R.J. Blair, P.J. Williams, and I.S. Pretorius eds.), Austral. Wine Ind. Tech Conf. Inc, pp.38-45.
- Withington, J. P. 2005. Fine root production and lifespan of 11 tree species in Poland. Ph.D. Thesis. The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. 20 pp.
- Edwards, J. M. 2005. Reasons for differential leaf calcium concentrations in forest trees. M.S. Thesis, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. 71 pp.
- Huang, X., Lakso, A. N. and Eissenstat, D. M. 2005. Interactive effects of soil temperature and moisture on Concord grape root respiration. Journal of Experimental Botany 56:2651-2660.
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