Work

Root communication among desert shrubs.

Year: 1991

Type: article

Abstract: Descriptive and experimental studies of desert shrub distributions have revealed important questions about the mechanisms by which plants interact. For example, do roots interact by mechanisms other than simple competition for limiting resources? We investigated this question using the desert shrubs Ambrosia dumosa and Larrea tridentata grown in chambers that allowed observation of roots during intraplant and intra- and interspecific interplant encounters. Two types of root "communication" were revealed. Ambrosia root systems appear to be capable of detecting and avoiding other Ambrosia root systems, whereas Larrea roots inhibit Larrea and Ambrosia roots in their vicinity.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.88.3.874

Authors: B E Mahall, R M Callaway

Institution: University of California, Santa Barbara

Language: English

Topic: Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies

Subfield: Nature and Landscape Conservation

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life on land

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W2082311942

FWCI: 3.482

Cites:

Cited by: 290

Related to: 10