Roots of the Biofuel Cropping System Experiment

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GLBRC089:Roots of the Biofuel Cropping System Experiment

Different sampling methods are used to measure root production in the diverse cropping systems of the GLBRC Biofuel Cropping System Experiment (BCSE). For annual crop treatments (G1-G4), root biomass is sampled by excavating a single plant (KBS) or a known soil area (Arlington). For perennial crop treatments (G5-G10), root biomass is sampled from ~1 m deep cores and fine root production is estimated from ingrowth cores buried at the beginning of the growing season. In general, root sampling occurs around three sampling stations (S1-S3) in each replicate block (R1-R5) and at peak biomass, which means physiological maturity for annuals and pre-senescence for perennials. Roots may be analyzed for total carbon and nitrogen content.

Tables

GLBRC089-001 Root Biomass and Total Carbon and Nitrogen of Annual Crops

Biomass and total carbon and nitrogen content of roots of BCSE annual crops (G1-G4) at physiological maturity. At KBS, the roots of a single plant are collected at each sampling station; at Arlington, all roots within one square meter are collected. In this datatable, KBS root biomass data are averaged across sampling stations (by replicate block) because biomass samples are composited by replicate for total carbon and nitrogen analysis; root biomass by station can be found in datatable/451. Arlington root data are given by station in this table because each station sample is analyzed for total carbon and nitrogen.

GLBRC089-002 Fine Root Production of Perennial Crops by Ingrowth Cores

Fine root production of BCSE perennial treatments (G5-G10) estimated by the ingrowth core method. Two ingrowth cores were buried in the soil at the beginning of the growing season at each sampling station (S1-S3); one was collected mid-season and the other at the end of the season to determine an approximate peak standing root biomass or belowground net primary production (BNPP).

GLBRC089-003 Root Biomass of Perennial Crops by Depth

Root (live plus dead) biomass of BCSE perennial treatments (G5-G10) sampled at the end of the growing season by deep cores (1 meter) taken along a gradient from center of the dominant plant species, adjacent to plant, to interstitial between plants and sectioned into four depth intervals or by excavation of a 1 meter deep pit removed at two depth intervals. Note that root biomass of deep cores is not scaled to plant density and should not be used as a direct measure of standing root biomass.

GLBRC089-004 Root Biomass of Cover Crops

Root biomass of cover crops in BCSE annual treatments with cover crop rotations (G2-G4) sampled at the time of cover crop harvest at KBS in 2013. The roots from individual cover crop plants (ex. rye) were excavated and the plant density was used to determine the belowground net primary production (BNPP) of cover crops in grams/meter2.

GLBRC089-006 Production and Total Carbon and Nitrogen of Perennial Fine Roots by Ingrowth Cores

Fine root production and total carbon and nitrogen content of BCSE perennial treatments (G5-G10) by the ingrowth core method. Two ingrowth cores were buried vertically to a depth of 15 cm at the beginning of the growing season at each sampling station (S1-S3); one was collected mid-season and the other at the end of the season to determine an approximate peak standing biomass or belowground net primary production (BNPP). This datatable contains the biomass and total carbon and nitrogen content of the roots produced, as well as C and N stocks on an areal basis. KBS data are averaged by replicate in this table because KBS root samples were composited by replicate for CN analysis. Biomass data by station are available for both KBS and Arlington at: http://data.sustainability.glbrc.org/datatables/302

GLBRC089-007 Root Biomass of Annual Crops

Root biomass of BCSE annual crops (G1-G4) at physiological maturity as as estimate of belowground net primary production (BNPP). At KBS, the roots of a single plant are collected at each sampling station (S1-S3); at Arlington, all roots within one square meter are collected. These root samples were also analyzed for total carbon and nitrogen; data are at http://data.sustainability.glbrc.org/datatables/449.

GLBRC089-008 Total Carbon and Nitrogen of Perennial Fine Roots by Ingrowth Cores

Total carbon and nitrogen content of fine roots of BCSE perennial treatments (G5-G10) collected from ingrowth cores. Roots were sampled two times during the growing season: mid-season and at the end of the season. At KBS, roots are composited by replicate before CN analysis; at Arlington, roots from all stations are analyzed.

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