@ARTICLE {CollPotvinMessierEtAl2008, AUTHOR = {Coll, L. and Potvin, C. and Messier, C. and Delagrange, S.}, TITLE = {Root architecture and allocation patterns of eight native tropical species with different successional status used in open-grown mixed plantations in Panama}, JOURNAL = {Trees - Structure and Function}, YEAR = {2008}, VOLUME = {22}, PAGES = {585-596}, NUMBER = {4}, MONTH = {aug}, AF = {Coll, LluisEOLEOLPotvin, CatherineEOLEOLMessier, ChristianEOLEOLDelagrange, Sylvain}, DE = {allocation; allometry; root architecture; successional status; tropicalEOLEOLplantation}, DI = {10.1007/s00468-008-0219-6}, PG = {12}, SN = {0931-1890}, UT = {ISI:000257385200019}, ABSTRACT = {We investigated biomass allocation and root architecture of eight tropical species with different successional status, as classified from the literature, along a size gradient up to 5 m. We focused on belowground development, which has received less attention than aboveground traits. A discriminant analysis based upon a combination of allocational and architectural traits clearly distinguished functional types and classified species according to successional status at a 100% success rate. For a given plant diameter, the pioneer species presented similar root biomass compared to the non-pioneer ones but higher cumulative root length and a higher number of root apices. A detailed study on the root system of a sub-sample of three species showed that the most late-successional species (Tabebuia rosea) had longer root internodes and a higher proportion of root biomass allocated to the taproot compared to the other two species (Hura crepitans and Luehea seemannii). Most pioneer species showed a higher leaf area ratio due to a higher specific leaf area (SLA). We conclude that the functional differences between pioneer and non-pioneer tree species found in natural forests were maintained in open-grown plantation conditions.}, KEYWORDS = {TEMPERATE RAIN-FOREST; SHADE TOLERANCE; NEOTROPICAL FOREST; COMMUNITY COMPOSITION; BIOMASS DISTRIBUTION; RELATIVE IMPORTANCE; TREE ARCHITECTURE; USE EFFICIENCY; ADULT STATURE; MOIST-FOREST}, }