Root trait plasticity.xlsx

We separated cleaned root samples into nodal roots and lateral roots according to position. Nodal roots were dried at 65 ℃ for 48 h and weighed. However, for lateral roots that are considered highly plastic, we randomly selected subsamples for scanning, while the remainder was dried as well. Root subsamples were scanned, then also dried and weighed. We then calculated root diameter (mm), specific root length (m g-1), specific surface area (m2 g-1), root tissue density (g m-3) and root length proportions with different diameter by analyzing scanned images using WinRHIZO software (Regent Instruments Inc., Quebec City, QC, Canada). Three parts were classified according to average diameter: fine roots (< 0.2 mm), middle roots (0.2 - 0.8 mm) and thick roots (> 0.8 mm) (Li et al., 2017a). We also calculated root biomass density (g cm-3), root length density (cm cm-3), and biomass allocation to lateral roots (%).