Changes in the anatomy, morphology and mycorrhizal infection of fine root systems of Cryptomeria japonica in relation to stand ageing.

Biomass allocation to fine roots often increases under soil nutrient deficiency, but the fine root biomass does not often increase in old stands, even under nutrient limitation. Therefore, in old stands, the morphology, anatomy, branching architecture and mycorrhization of fine roots may compensate efficiently for nutrient acquisition by the low fine root biomass. In this study, changes in the morphology, anatomy and arbuscular mycorrhizal infection at each branching position of fine root clusters were evaluated in relation to stand age.