Biomass quantification and fine roots length in <i>Eucalyptus cloeziana</i> F. Muell stands

Abstract

The development and activity of roots influence the growth of trees in any ecosystem because the roots are the link between the plant and the soil. Therefore this study aimed at evaluating the biomass and length of fine roots (? 2 mm) in Eucalyptus cloeziana F. Muell, aged 18, in Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. Twenty samples in each depth of 0-5, 5-10, 10-15 and 15-20 cm were collected. The roots were separated from the ground and processed to obtain data on length and biomass. The values of biomass, density and length of fine roots were obtained; respectively (? 2 mm) of 1266.44 kg ha^-1, 2.533 g dm^-3 and 13324.55 km ha^-1, in the most superficial 20 cm, given that almost half of the fine roots are in the surface layer (0 - 5 cm). Fine roots density tends to decrease with soil depth increase.