Root lengths of plants on Los Alamos National Laboratory lands

Technical Report · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:6800142

Tierney, G D; Foxx, T S

Maximum root lengths of 22 plant species occurring on Los Alamos National Laboratory lands were measured. An average of two longest roots from each species were dug up and their lengths, typical shapes, and qualitative morphologics were noted along with the overstory dimensions of the plant individual with which the roots were associated. Maximum root lengths were compared with overstory (height times width) dimensions. Among the life forms studied, the shrubs tend to show the longest roots in relation to overstory size. Forbs show the shortest roots in relation to overstory size. Measurements of tree roots suggest only that immature trees on the Pajarito Plateau may have root-length to overstory-size ratios near one. 30 refs., 14 figs., 2 tabs.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 6800142
• Report Number(s): LA-10865-MS; ON: DE87006316
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
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OAKS
PINES
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