Root distribution of Eucalyptus grandis and Corymbia maculata in degraded saline soils of south-eastern Australia

Abstract

Planting trees, in farm forestry enterprises, to control rising watertables is an increasing practice for both economic and environmental benefits. One central biophysical issue which determines the effectiveness of trees to control groundwater is the ability of trees to grow roots through degraded soils and take up groundwater. We investigated the effect of soil properties, especially the presence of shallow watertables and site preparation practice, on the vertical and horizontal distributions of Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden and Corymbia maculata (Hook.) K.D. Hill and L.A.S. Johnson roots. In order to improve the reliability of root data, we measured root growth and distribution by three different methods – (i) number of roots intercepting the vertical plane of the soil profile, (ii) root length density in soil cores taken at different depths but in the horizontal plane of the profile, and (iii) root length density in soil cores in the vertical plane at different radial positions from trees and compared the results. Two experimental sites were established in flood-irrigated, farm forestry plantations on contrasting soils in the Murray Riverina region of south-eastern Australia. At one site (Norwood Park), we studied a 58-month-old stand of E. grandis growing in clay loam overlaying medium clay, saline, sodic and alkaline subsoil with a saline (11.5 dS m−1) watertable at 2.8 m depth. Here, there were few roots growing above the watertable. The Karawatha site had adjacent stands of 46-month old E. grandis and C. maculata growing in a sandy, neutral and non-saline soil with a shallow (3.1 m deep) non-saline (2.8 dS m−1) watertable. Here roots proliferated above the watertable in both species but to a much greater extent under C. maculata than under E. grandis. Root distributions in the surface soil were similar at all sites but differences in root growth in the capillary zones paralleled differences in groundwater uptake by trees. We conclude (i) that appropriate matching of species with site characteristics, especially soil and groundwater properties, will enhance tree growth and groundwater uptake and (ii) that extensive planting of C. maculata over non-saline watertables maximises the chances of achieving the multiple objectives of regional groundwater control, fast growth rates and reduced irrigation demand.