Fine‐root production and mortality in degraded vegetation in Horqin Sandy Rangeland in Inner Mongolia, China

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Abstract
The total root biomass of an Artemisia halodendron plant community was measured several times during the growing seasons of 1989–1991 using soil coring. Root growth was measured with ingrowth mesh bags. Fine‐root production was calculated based on increases in biomass estimated with soil cores and mesh bags. Root growth dynamics of Artemisia halodendron and Caragana microphylla were measured using mini‐rhizotrons. An alternative estimate of fine‐root production was made based on root growth measurements from minirhizotrons and biomass estimates from soil cores. During the dry growing season of 1989, root biomass increased significantly. However, during the wet growing seasons of 1990 and 1991, no significant changes in root biomass were found. On the other hand, the minirhizotron method revealed that root numbers changed rapidly and significantly during both wet years. Current‐year root biomass in the mesh bags reached a maximum of 56 g m−2. Estimates of annual fine‐root production to 35‐cm depth varied between zero and ∼250 g m−2, depending on the method used. Methodological aspects were discussed, and it was concluded that true root production probably was closer to the upper than to the lower estimate.