Consequences of mixing Acacia mangium and Eucalyptus grandis trees on soil exploration by fine-roots down to a depth of 17 m

Background and aims Fine-root functioning is a major driver of plant growth and strongly influences the global carbon cycle. While fine-root over-yielding has been shown in the upper soil layers of mixed-species forests relative to monospecificstands, the consequences of tree diversity on fine-root growth in very deep soil layers is still unknown. Our study aimed to assess the consequences of mixing Acacia mangiumand Eucalyptus grandis trees on soil exploration by roots down to the water tableat 17 m depth in a tropical planted forest.