Interspecific variation of tree root architecture in a temperate agroforestry system characterized using ground-penetrating radar

摘要

Root system architecture regulates belowground access to soil resources. Variation in root architecture is important in agroforestry systems given management objectives to optimize resource acquisition between trees and crops. However, the distributions of live tree roots in agroforestry systems remain understudied due to methodological constraints. In this study, we used ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to describe variation in whole-plant root architecture among tree species at the same agricultural site, with a specific focus on vertical coarse and fine root distributions within the zone of competition with neighbouring crops.