A novel root inclusion net method was designed to determine the fine root productions and turnover rates of 13-, 22- and 38-year-old Larix principis-rupprechtii plantations in the whole growing season of 2012, and it was compared with the results of the sequential coring method and in-growth core method. | Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry Turk J Agric For (2014) 38: 388-398 © TÜBİTAK doi: Research Article Root inclusion net method: novel approach to determine fine root production and turnover in Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr plantation in North China 1 1,2, 1 1 Xiyang WANG , Lvyi MA *, Zhongkui JIA , Liming JIA Key Laboratory for Silviculture and Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, . China 2 National Energy R&D Center for Non-Food Biomass, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, . China 1 Received: Accepted: Published Online: Printed: Abstract: A novel root inclusion net method was designed to determine the fine root productions and turnover rates of 13-, 22-, and 38-year-old Larix principis-rupprechtii plantations in the whole growing season of 2012, and it was compared with the results of the sequential coring method and in-growth core method. All following values are reported in order for 13-, 22-, and 38-year-old L. principis-rupprechtii plantations. The mean values of fine root biomasses were 103, 261, and 356 g m–2, about 76–78% of which were live fine root biomasses. The fine root productions were 86–118 g m–2 year–1, 124–138 g m–2 year–1, and 134–160 g m–2 year–1, respectively. The fine root turnover rates were , , and times year–1, respectively, suggesting a relative slow fine root turnover in L. principisrupprechtii plantations. The carbon inputs into soil accompanying fine root turnover were 52, 58, and 94 g C m–2 year–1. This organic carbon is a sizeable pool in the forest ecosystem. The results suggest that our new modified root inclusion net method is suitable for field-based assessment of fine root production and turnover. Key words: Fine root turnover, plantation, root inclusion net method, soil organic carbon 1. Introduction Fine root turnover is a major pathway where carbon enters .
