A technique for evaluating functional root biomass in grassland ecosystems

Abstract

A technique for evaluating functional root biomass in grassland ecosystems with the aid of carbon-14 is described. Plots were labeled by releasing 14CO2 inside polyethylene tents. Root samples were mounted on a sheet of paper, exposed to X-ray film, and separated into functional and non-functional categories through autoradiography. The functional component in unmounted samples was estimated with the help of regression, relating the percentage of functional biomass with radioactivity determined through liquid scintillation counting.