KBS035: Belowground Net Primary Production
In use from 1988
Abstract
Sampling Frequency: Every fifth year
In annual crops soil excavations at the time of plant physiological maturity or maximum aboveground biomass are used to index belowground primary productivity . A 0.5×0.5 m area is excavated to 0.5 m, and soil and roots are removed to the laboratory for hydropneumatic elutriation (Smucker et al . 1981) . Washed roots are dried at 60 degrees C and weighed .
In perennial plots (trees, alfalfa, native succession), minirhizotron techniques are used to index belowground productivity . Permanently installed minirhizotron tubes are videotaped during the growing season and videotape images analyzed for root turnover at1.2 cm intervals to a depth of 1.5 m .
Protocol
Author: Tim Bergsma
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