Estimating root mass in young hybrid poplar trees using the electrical capacitance method

A preliminary field study was conducted on root mass of young hybrid polar trees (Populus deltoides x P. nigra) using the electrical capacitance method. The objective of this study was to develop a simple calibration relationship that would enable root mass (fresh or dry) to be estimated for young hybrid poplar trees grown in mineral soils using simple, non-intrusive measurements of electrical capacitance. For first-year potted saplings (n = 33), strong linear and positive correlations were found between both root dry mass (adjusted r^sup 2^ = 0.895, P