| The Role of Cluster Roots in P Acquisition by Banksia |
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| Investigators |
| Dr. Pauline Grierson, Ecosystems Research Group, Department of Botany, University of Western Australia
Dr. Tina Bell, Ecosystems Research Group, Department of Botany, University of Western Australia
Dr. Mark Adams, Ecosystems Research Group, Department of Botany, University of Western Australia
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What is the Issue? |
| SPECIES SURVIVAL ON IMPOVERISHED SOILS |
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Australian native species and those species and genera common to nutrient-poor ecosystems possess special features thought to increase the availability of soil P or increase the efficiency of P use. It is important to clarify the main forms of P stored by roots, either in ectomycorrhizal or cluster roots, in order to fully understand root functioning and adaptations to low P soil. Developmental anatomy of cluster roots along with phosphorus forms and distribution in cluster roots will be investigated and outcomes from the research will assist in the selection of desirable attributes for species survival on impoverished soils and also aid in the development of important mechanistic models.
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What is our goal? |
| UNDERSTANDING ROOT GROWTH AND ASSISTING IN SELECTION OF TREE SPECIES FOR PLANTING ON MARGINAL LANDS.
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| Linking root anatomy and function: the role of cluster roots in P acquisition by Banksia grandis. |
Where we currently stand. |
| The study commenced in January 2000 and will run for two years. Currently, seeds of B. grandis are being germinated. Seedlings undergoing different treatments will be harvested and examined at progressive stages of development in order to determine developmental anatomy of cluster roots and the main forms of P that are stored. The inoculating fungus (Pisolithus) for the E. marginata seedlings has been acquired, and preliminary tests of the nuclear magnetic resonance methods will begin in early 2001. Results will aid researchers both in the determination of desirable species attributes and also in developing further models for research in this area.
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You can help this project - find out how. |
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