Intra‐ and inter‐specific variation in root mechanical traits for twelve herbaceous plants and their link with the root economics space

Plant root traits are diverse and variable, the way in which they interact has consequences for fundamental functions such as anchorage, or services soil fixation. Here, we characterize mechanical related to anchorage (tensile strength, strain, stiffness toughness) at both intra- inter-specific levels examine how covary with other economics space. We grew twelve herbaceous species from contrasting taxonomical families a common garden experiment. For each species, excavated systems measured mechanical, morphological chemical two locations (proximal versus distal) types (absorptive transport roots). At intraspecific level, roots tended be stronger tougher than absorptive could extend further before failure, but were stiff absorptiveroots. Where was sampled (proximalversus had limited effect on any trait. The five monocots (Poaceae) material seven dicots (Fabaceae, Plantaginaceae Rosaceae), there no differences stiffness. interspecific covaried positively strongly correlated specific length (a trait ‘do-it-yourself' exploration strategy), negatively diameter ‘outsourcing' strategy) tissue density lifespan). demonstrate important role of species' subgroup (monocot dicot) type governing variation levels. Our results can regarded first evidence link between robustness space, through strong association strategy.