October 10th 2006: Prof. Dr. Hans de Kroon

October 10th 2006

Prof. Dr. Hans de Kroon
Department of Experimental Plant Ecology, Radboud University Nijmegen

Roots at large: the far-reaching consequences of plant plasticity underground

Abstract

Natural ecosystems are characterized by an enormous heterogeneity underground. It is known for a long time that the roots of plants respond to this heterogeneity by growing roots selectively in nutrient hotspots. However, there is an ongoing debate on the functional significance of this belowground plasticity, because the relationships between selective root placement and nutrient uptake and competitive ability have been non-consistent. I present a number of experiments that shed light on how root plasticity operates in relation to the spatio-temporal dynamics of the soil environment, and discuss the implications for plant competition and community structure. To further study these topics a new Phytotron has recently become operational at Radboud University Nijmegen. This facility has been specifically designed for detailed studies belowground, but at the mesocosm scale with mature plants under near ambient conditions.

Curriclulm vitae Hans de Kroon

• 1977 – 1984: Study Biology University of Utrecht
• 1985 – 1989: Ph.D. University of Utrecht. PhD thesis (1990):  “In search of a foraging plant. The clonal growth of Carex flacca and Brachypodium pinnatum”
• 1989 -1994: Several Postdoc projects: Indiana University and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, USA; Royal Academy Fellow, University of Utrecht. Studies on aspects of clonal growth, including demography and water and nutrient translocation within plants.
• 1994 – 2000: Associate Professor, Wageningen University. Studies on root plasticity and competition. Projects on plant population dynamics and conservation.
• 2000 – present: Full Professor, Department of Experimental Plant Ecology, Radboud University Nijmegen. Focus on the ecology and evolution of phenotypic plasticity in plants, in particular of roots and clonal plant morphology, with an emphasis in riverine habitats.
• (co-)author of over 60 papers in peer-reviewed journals on clonal growth, conceptual and empirical aspects of plasticity in plants, population and life history studies, and population matrix models.
• Editor of two books on clonal growth in plants (1990, 1997) and one on root ecology (2003). Editorial Board Member of Ecology (1995-99), Journal of Ecology (2001 – present) and Plant Biology (2004 – present).

Relevant Publications

H. de Kroon, L.Mommer and A. Nishiwaki, Root Competition: Towards a Mechanistic Understanding
H. de Kroon, L.Mommer and A. Nishiwaki, Root Competition: Towards a Mechanistic Understanding
Angela Hodge, The plastic plant: root responses to heterogeneous supplies of nutrients