MSB_2024v15n4

Molecular Soil Biology 2024, Vol.15, No.4, 172-182 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 180 Roots can access deeper soil layers to tap into additional water reserves, which is crucial for sustaining water supply during prolonged dry periods. This deep rooting strategy has been observed in various species, including tropical eucalypt forests and Patagonian woody species, where deep roots provide a buffer against seasonal water deficits. Additionally, the hydraulic characteristics of roots, such as hydraulic conductivity and root hydraulic resistance, are essential for regulating water transport and maintaining plant water status under drought conditions. Understanding the dynamics of tree root structures and their role in soil water management is critical for ecosystem conservation and forest management strategies. Deep rooting systems enhance the resilience of trees to drought by accessing water from deeper soil layers, which can mitigate the impacts of climate change-induced droughts on forest ecosystems. This knowledge is particularly valuable for the development of drought-tolerant crop varieties and the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices. In forest management, promoting species with efficient root systems can improve the overall health and stability of forest ecosystems. For instance, selecting tree species with deep rooting capabilities can enhance water uptake during dry periods, thereby supporting forest productivity and reducing the risk of tree mortality during droughts. Additionally, understanding root-soil interactions and the role of root traits in water dynamics can inform reforestation and afforestation projects, ensuring the long-term sustainability of these initiatives. Acknowledgments We appreciate the feedback from two anonymous peer reviewers on the manuscript of this study. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The authors affirm that this research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. References Bach L., and Gojon A., 2023, Root system growth and development responses to elevated CO2: underlying signalling mechanisms and role in improving plant CO2 capture and soil C storage, The Biochemical Journal, 480(11): 753-771. https://doi.org/10.1042/BCJ20220245 Bellini C., Păcurar D., and Perrone I., 2014, Adventitious roots and lateral roots: similarities and differences, Annual Review of Plant Biology, 65: 639-666. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-arplant-050213-035645 Bourbia I., Pritzkow C., and Brodribb T., 2021, Herb and conifer roots show similar high sensitivity to water deficit, Plant Physiology, 186(4): 1908-1918. https://doi.org/10.1093/PLPHYS/KIAB207 Brunn M., Hafner B., Zwetsloot M., Weikl F., Pritsch K., Hikino K., Ruehr N., Sayer E., and Bauerle T., 2022, Carbon allocation to root exudates is maintained in mature temperate tree species under drought, The New Phytologist, 235(3): 965-977. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.18157 Brunner I., Herzog C., Dawes M., Arend M., and Sperisen C., 2015, How tree roots respond to drought, Frontiers in Plant Science, 6: 547. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2015.00547 Bucci S., Scholz F., Goldstein G., Meinzer F., and Arce M., 2009, Soil water availability and rooting depth as determinants of hydraulic architecture of Patagonian woody species, Oecologia, 160: 631-641. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-009-1331-z Burgess S., Adams M., Turner N., and Ong C., 1998, The redistribution of soil water by tree root systems, Oecologia, 115: 306-311. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004420050521 Calvo-Polanco M., Sánchez-Castro I., Cantos M., García J., Azcón R., Ruiz-Lozano J., Beuzón C., and Aroca R., 2016, Effects of different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal backgrounds and soils on olive plants growth and water relation properties under well-watered and drought conditions, Plant, Cell and Environment, 39(11): 2498-2514. https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.12807 Chandrasekaran M., 2022, Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi mediated enhanced biomass, root morphological traits and nutrient uptake under drought stress: a meta-analysis, Journal of Fungi, 8(7): 660. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8070660 Chaturvedi R., Tripathi A., Raghubanshi A., and Singh J., 2020, Functional traits indicate a continuum of tree drought strategies across a soil water availability gradient in a tropical dry forest, Forest Ecology and Management, 118740. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2020.118740

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