A new method being developed for root research is described based on a fractal model. An equation was developed to derive the relation between total size of the root system and diameter of the proximal roots for 2 extreme branching patterns - dichotomous and herringbone. The protocol uses proximal root diameters and stem diameter at breast height to provide a tentative index of shallow rootedness (root competitiveness), tests for the fractal characteristics of root branching, and measurements of model parameters (internode lengths as a function of root diameter and the proportionality factor (alpha) between total cross-sectional surface areas, before and after branching). Preliminary tests of the method were done on 18 multipurpose trees on an acid ultisol in northern Lampung, Indonesia (mostly in a home garden, and about 6 yr old). Root data are given for these. The method is relevant to the study of competition between trees and crops in agroforestry systems.
Publication year
1995
Authors
Spek L Y; Purnomosidhi P; van Noordwijk, M.
Language
English
Keywords
branching, roots
