Morphological and anatomical characteristics of sprouting root of Prunus ssiori

Abstract

In order to study the characteristics of root sprouts of Prunus ssiori, we observed cross sections of sprouting roots-Root that sprouts shoot-, no sprouting roots-root that does not sprout shoot-and stems of root sprout. Also, we measured vessel diameters. Furthermore, we drew a diagram of the mother tree and the root sprouting points, and measured diameters of sprouting roots in the field. Diameters of sprouting roots become constant at a distance of more than 200 cm from the mother tree. The change in diameters of secondary roots in relation to the distance from branching points of a stump that has been pulled out were examined. Secondary roots were divided into two types. Roots which diameters converged about 1.2 cm to 1.5 cm when distant of more than 120 cm from the mother tree (type A), and roots which diameters below 0.5 cm at a distance of less 120 cm from the mother tree (type B). We presumed sprouting roots to be type A, considering the decrease of root diameter. Sprouting roots had many vessels over 100 μm, on the other hand, in no sprouting roots such large vessels were not observed. Also, from the fact that the anatomical characteristic was similar to that of woody liner stem, we infer that sprouting roots may play a role of water transportation.