Articles
Belowground hydraulic conductance in a mature boreal Scots pine tree
Article number
1222_14
Pages
103 – 108
Language
English
Abstract
We studied the dynamics of belowground hydraulic conductance (kbg) of a mature Scots pine tree in field conditions using continuous xylem diameter change and sap flow measurements over a full growing season in a boreal environment.
Our aim was to analyze how kbg is linked to soil temperature and soil water content. kbg was calculated as the ratio of daily maximum sap flow rate to the difference between stem and soil water potential estimated from daily diameter variations of xylem measured with point dendrometers. kbg increased with increasing soil temperature in spring and autumn when soil temperatures were below +8°C. kbg also increased with increasing soil water content if soil temperature was high enough as was the case in summer.
The results suggest that kbg in the studied tree was more limited by soil temperature than water content.
Our aim was to analyze how kbg is linked to soil temperature and soil water content. kbg was calculated as the ratio of daily maximum sap flow rate to the difference between stem and soil water potential estimated from daily diameter variations of xylem measured with point dendrometers. kbg increased with increasing soil temperature in spring and autumn when soil temperatures were below +8°C. kbg also increased with increasing soil water content if soil temperature was high enough as was the case in summer.
The results suggest that kbg in the studied tree was more limited by soil temperature than water content.
Publication
Authors
A. Lintunen, T. Paljakka, Y. Salmon, T. Hölttä
Keywords
cost of water, hydraulic conductance, Pinus sylvestris, point dendrometer, sap flow
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