Use Root-Shoot Ratio when you need to compute the root-shoot ratio as belowground dry mass divided by aboveground dry mass. Enter Root dry mass and Shoot dry mass using the definitions and units below so the result can be reproduced.

Root dry mass

Root dry biomass; must not be negative.

Shoot dry mass

Shoot dry biomass; must be greater than zero.

The published tool contract uses this rule: Compute the root-shoot ratio as belowground dry mass divided by aboveground dry mass.

Root-shoot ratio

Root dry mass divided by shoot dry mass.

A ratio or percentage can conceal the scale of its numerator and denominator and becomes sensitive to measurement error when the denominator is small.

Retain the original Root dry mass and Shoot dry mass values and their units alongside the result. Specific Root Area is useful when you instead need to compute specific root area SRA in square centimetres per gram as root surface area divided by root dry mass. Specific Root Length provides another view by helping you compute specific root length SRL in metres per gram as root length divided by root dry mass.

• Specific Root Area

  Compute specific root area SRA in square centimetres per gram as root surface area divided by root dry mass.

• Specific Root Length

  Compute specific root length SRL in metres per gram as root length divided by root dry mass.

• Leaf Area Ratio

  Compute the leaf area ratio in square centimetres of leaf per gram of total plant dry mass.