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Root tissue density (RTD, the ratio of root dry mass to root volume) is a fundamental trait in comparative root ecology, being increasingly used as an indicator of plant species’ resource use strategy. However, the lack of standardized method to measure this trait makes comparisons tricky. This study aims to compare three methods commonly used for determining fine RTD and to test whether root dry matter content (RDMC, the ratio between root dry mass and root fresh mass) could be used as a surrogate of fine root tissue density.

RTD of 163 fine root samples was determined using (i) Archimedes’ method, (ii) image analysis (WinRHIZO software), and (iii) using the root dry matter content as a proxy. Root samples belonged to different herbaceous species grown in different conditions.

RTD measured …