A novel technique for rapidly separating willow roots from clay soil
Date
2012-03-13
Authors
Hangs, R.D.
Schoenau, J.J.
Van Rees, K.C.J.
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ORCID
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Poster Presentation
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Abstract
Numerous studies have examined the root dynamics of willow biomass energy crops
growing on medium to coarse-textured soils, using either soil coring, minirhizotron techniques,
or a combination thereof. However, neither approach is well suited for studying roots in soil of
high clay content. Our objective was to test the efficacy of using a simple baking soda
(NaHCO3) pre-treatment for facilitating the separation of willow roots from a Vertisol (70%
clay). Soil cores were collected from within a willow variety trial plot of Tully Champion (Salix
viminalis x S. miyabeana) and were either conventionally washed (i.e., no pre-treatment) or
washed following a pre-treatment consisting of shaking the sample for 15 min with either
deionized water or 1.2M NaHCO3. Measurement variables included washing duration, water
usage, and recovery of fine (< 2 mm) and coarse roots. The ranking of washing duration and
water usage was 1.2M NaHCO3 pre-treatment < deionized water pre-treatment < conventional
washing. Compared to conventional washing, the 1.2M NaHCO3 pre-treatment reduced the
washing duration and water usage by 45 and 61%, respectively, while increasing the fine-root
recovery by 29%. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in coarse root recovery among
the three washing methods. Developing a quicker technique of separating willow roots from
high clay content soils hould promote further investigations of root growth dynamics within this
traditionally difficult soil type.
Description
Keywords
baking soda, Salix, sodium bicarbonate, soil core washing, Vertisol
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Part Of
Soils and Crops Workshop