The effect of erosion on anatomical characteristics of root and bark of Juniperus excelsa

Abstract

Abstract: Wood anatomy in addition to genetic is affected by environmental factors. One of the environmental factors is soil erosion which affects anatomical properties of roots considerably. Juniperus excelsa is one of Iranin indigenous softwood and has longevity and anatomical properties of its root in two conditions: inside of soil and exposed one can reveal effects of soil erosion on wood anatomical properties of root. So many roots and barks of trees in inside of soils and exposed have been sampled and many micro-sections prepared by microtome and anatomical properties were investigated. Results showed that wood roots under soil conform of one row of late-wood and by exposing the lumen area of tracheids in early-wood and late-wood were decreased and the cells appear thicker and late-wood portion increased. The axial parenchyma inclusion of dark resins in exposed roots observed frequently. Meanwhile by exposing of roots the thickness of bark decreased and the thickness of phloem and periderm in exposed root is not as wide as normal roots.

Keywords

• Root wood anatomy
• Juniperus excelsa
• Bark anatomy
• Soil erosion
• Exposed root