Linking above- and belowground phenology of hybrid walnut growing along a climatic gradient in temperate agroforestry systems

Background and aims Plant phenologyis a sensitive indicator of plant response to climate change. Observations of phenologicalevents belowground for most ecosystems are difficult to obtain and very little is known about the relationship between tree shoot and root phenology. We examined the influence of environmental factors on fine root production and mortality in relation with shoot phenologyin hybrid walnut trees (Juglans sp.) growing in three different climates (oceanic, continental and Mediterranean) along a latitudinal gradient in France.