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Root Channels and Roots in Forest Soils
Author(s) -
Gaiser R. N.
Publication year - 1952
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1952.03615995001600010019x
Subject(s) - root system , soil water , geology , soil horizon , channel (broadcasting) , environmental science , soil science , hydrology (agriculture) , botany , biology , geotechnical engineering , engineering , electrical engineering
The frequency, size, and stages in the development of vertical channels formed in the soil through the decay of the roots of hardwood trees are reported for a site located in southeastern Ohio. Data were obtained by exposing the soil profile by trenching. A diagram was prepared showing the location of root channels and living roots. Additional data on channels were obtained by probing the soil with a flexible wand to locate regions of low resistance which indicated the presence of vertical root channels. The vertical channels found exceeded 4,000 per acre. The estimate is low because not all channels could be discovered by the means employed. It is likely that vertical channels are interconnected by lateral channels formed by decayed root systems. Because channels contain materials relatively more permeable to water than the surrounding soil horizons, it is probable than the channels serve as pathways for the rapid movement of a large part of the free water in the soil profile.