Oxidation of methane in the rhizosphere of rice plants

Oxidation of CH₄ in the rhizosphere of rice plants was quantified using (1) methyl fluoride, a specific inhibitor of CH₄ oxidation, and (2) measuring changes in plant-mediated CH₄ emission after incubation under air, N₂, or 40% O₂. No significant rhizospheric CH₄ oxidation was observed from rice plants in the ripening stage. CH₄ emission from rice plants 1 week before panicle initiation increased by 40% if CH₄ oxidation in the rhizosphere was blocked. The growth stage of the rice plant is an important factor determining the rhizospheric CH₄ oxidation. Fluctuation of rhizospheric CH₄ oxidation during the growing season may help to explain the observed seasonal CH₄ emission patterns in field studies. Measurements from four rice varieties showed that one variety, Pokkali, had higher rhizospheric CH₄ oxidation. This was probably because Pokkali was in an earlier growth stage than the other three varieties. Both in the early and in the late growth stages, incubation under N₂ caused a much stronger CH₄ flux than inhibition of CH₄ oxidation alone. Apparently, N₂ incubation not only blocked CH₄ oxidation but also stimulated methanogenesis in the rhizosphere. Incubation under a higher O₂ atmosphere (40% O₂) than ambient air decreased the CH₄ flux, suggesting that increasing the oxidation of the rice rhizosphere may help in reducing CH₄ fluxes from rice agriculture. The O₂ pressure in the rhizosphere is an important factor that reduces the plant-mediated CH₄ flux. However, inhibition of methanogenesis in the rhizosphere may contribute more to CH₄ flux reduction than rhizospheric CH₄ oxidation.     

Oxygen profiles and methane turnover in a flooded rice microcosm

Summary Dissolved O₂ was depleted within the top 3.5-mm surface layer of flooded rice soil microcosms without plants. In planted microcosms, however, O₂ was detectable down to at least 40 mm in depth. O₂ concentrations in the uppermost soil layers of microcosms with rice plants were higher in the light than in the dark, indicating O₂ production by photosynthesis. The CH₄ emission rates were nearly identical for illuminated and for darkened microcosms, demonstrating that the photosynthetically produced O₂ did not increase CH₄ oxidation in the rhizosphere. In contrast, CH₄ emission rates increased when the microcosms were incubated under an N₂ atmosphere, indicating that transport of O₂ from the atmosphere into the rhizosphere was important for CH₄ oxidation. CH₄ emission under air accounted for only 10%–20% of the cumulative CH₄ production determined in cores taken from the microcosms. Apparently, 80%–90% of the CH₄ produced was oxidized in the rhizosphere and thus was not emitted.     

Effect of potassium phosphate fertilization on production and emission of methane and its C-stable isotope composition in rice microcosms

Rice fields are an important source for atmospheric CH₄, but the effects of fertilization are not well known. We studied the turnover of CH₄ in rice soil microcosms without and with addition of potassium phosphate. Height and tiller number of rice plants were higher in the fertilized than in the unfertilized microcosms. Emission rates of CH₄ were also higher, but porewater concentrations of CH₄ were lower. The δ¹³C values of the emitted CH₄ and of the CH₄ in the porewater were both 2-6% higher in the fertilized microcosms than in the control. Potassium phosphate did not affect rate and isotopic signature of CH₄ production in anoxic soil slurries. On the other hand, roots retrieved from fertilized microcosms at the end of incubation exhibited slightly higher CH₄ production rates and slightly higher CH₄-δ¹³C values compared to roots from unfertilized plants. Addition of potassium phosphate to excised rice roots generally inhibited CH₄ production and resulted in increasingly lower δ¹³C values of the produced CH₄. Fractionation of ¹³C during plant ventilation (i.e. δ¹³C in pore water CH₄ versus CH₄ emitted) was larger in the fertilized microcosms than in the control. Besides plant ventilation, this difference may also have been caused by CH₄ oxidation in the rhizosphere. However, calculation from the isotopic data showed that less than 27% of the produced CH₄ was oxidized. Collectively, our results indicate that potassium phosphate fertilization stimulated CH₄ emission by enhancing root methanogenesis, plant ventilation and/or CH₄ oxidation, resulting in residence times of CH₄ in the porewater in the order of hours.     

水稻植株特性对稻田甲烷排放的影响及其机制的研究进展

水稻是我国最主要的口粮作物,稻田是重要温室气体甲烷的主要排放源之一。水稻植株特性既是水稻产量形成的关键因子,也是稻田甲烷排放的主要影响因子。但是,至今关于水稻植株对稻田甲烷排放的调控效应及其机制仍存在许多不一致的认识。为此,本文从形态特征、生理生态特征、植株-环境互作等方面,对现有的相关研究进行了综合论述。水稻地上部形态特征如分蘖数、株高、叶面积等对稻田甲烷排放的影响的研究结果不尽相同,起关键作用的是地下系统。优化光合产物分配在持续淹水的情况下可以减少稻田甲烷排放。提高水稻生物量在低碳土壤增加稻田甲烷排放,但在高碳土壤下降低甲烷排放。本文还明确了相关研究现状和存在的问题。在此基础上,作者认为未来应加强水稻根系形态及其生理特征,以及水稻植株-土壤环境(尤其是水分管理和养分管理)互作对稻田甲烷产生、氧化和排放影响的研究,在方法上应加强微区试验和大田试验的结合,并开展植株和稻田的碳氮互作效应及其机制研究,为高产低碳排放的水稻品种选育和低碳稻作模式创新提供理论参考和技术指导。     

Methanotrophic bacteria in the rhizosphere of rice microcosms and their effect on porewater methane concentration and methane emission

CH₄ emission from irrigated rice field is one of the major sources in the global budget of atmoshperic CH₄. Rates of CH₄ emission depend on both CH₄ production in anoxic parts of the soil and on CH₄ oxidation at oxic-anoxic interfaces. In the present study we used planted and unplanted rice microcosms and characterized them by numbers of CH₄-oxidizing bacteria (MOB), porewater CH₄ and O₂ concentrations and CH₄ fluxes. Plant roots had a stimulating effect on both the number of total soil bacteria and CH₄-oxidizing bacteria as determined by fluorescein isothiocyanate fluorescent staining and the most probable number technique, respectively. In the rhizosphere and on the root surface CH₄-oxidizing bacteria were enriched during the growth period of tice, while their numbers remained constant in unplanted soils. In the presence of rice plants, the porewater CH₄ concentration was significantly lower, with 0.1–0.4mM CH₄, than in unplanted microcosms, with 0.5–0.7mM CH₄. O₂ was detected at depths of up to 16 mm in planted microcosms, whereas it had disappeared at a depth of 2 mm in the unplanted experiments. CH₄ oxidation was determined as the difference between the CH₄ emission rates under oxic (air) and anoxic (N₂) headspace, and by inhibition experiments with C₂H₂. Flux measurements showed varying oxic emission rates of between 2.5 and 29.0 mmol CH₄m^-2 day^-1. An average of 34% of the anoxically emitted CH₄ was oxidized in the planted microcosms, which was surprisingly constant. The rice rhizosphere appeared to be an important oxic-anoxic interface, significantly reducing CH₄ emission.     

Influence of Common Reed (Phragmites australis) on CH4 Production and Transport in Wetlands: Results from Single-Plant Laboratory Experiments

Laboratory culture experiments were conducted with common reed (Phragmites australis) to elucidate the role of root exudates on CH₄ production in wetland soils as well as the importance of different plant organs as routes of CH₄ to the atmosphere. In the 50 d experiment period, root exudates ranged from 0.03 to 1.53 µmolg^?1d^?1, which increased with reed growth. CH₄ production rate of soil was stimulated as root exudates collected was added. CH₄ transport capacity rate also increased with plant growth and influenced by light intensity. Root tips were the most important part of controlling diffusion of CH₄ into reed shoots, and leave transport accounted for 45.34% of total emissions into the atmosphere.     

Methane emission from flooded rice fields under irrigated conditions

In a study on CH₄ emission from flooded rice fields under irrigated conditions, fields planted with rice emitted more methane than unplanted fields. The CH₄ efflux in planted plots varied with the rice variety and growth stage and ranged from 4 to 26 mg h^-1m^-2. During the reproductive stage of the rice plants, CH₄ emission was high and the oxidation power of rice roots, in terms of -naphthylamine oxidation, was very low. The CH₄ emission reached a maximum at midday and declined to minimum levels at midnight, irrespective of the rice variety. The peak CH₄ emission at midday was associated with higher solar radiation and higher soil/water temperature.     

Effects of inorganic fertilizers and micronutrients on methane production from wetland rice (Oryza sativa L.)

We compared the effects of adding different forms of nitrogenous fertilizers on the production of CH₄ in soil and on CH₄ emission from rice plants, Urea and diammonium phosphate gave the highest rates of CH₄ production from the soil and emission through rice plants, followed by (NH₄)₂SO₄. NaNO₃ was the least effective. The effects of micronutrients like Mo, Ni, or B were more prominent than those of Fe, Mn, Zn, V, or Co. It is concluded that CH₄ emission from rice paddies is influenced by both macro- and micronutrients, through effects on both microbial methanogenesis in soil and elimination through rice plants as a consequence of the effects on plant growth.     

Nitrous oxide and methane transport through rice plants

The separate closed chamber technique was used to study the potential of rice plants for transporting N₂O and CH₄ produced in soil to the atmosphere. The results indicate that N₂O produced in soil can be conducted to the atmosphere via rice plants similarly to CH₄ transport. More than 80% of both N₂O and CH₄ was emitted through rice plants. The rest was emitted through the soil/water/atmosphere interface by ebullition and diffusion. Nitrate addition increased the total N₂O emission rate substantially but decreased the total CH₄ emission. Nitrate addition did not change the CH₄ emission ratio through rice plants, but lowered the percentage of N₂O emission through rice plants. The results suggest that rice plants serve not only as a conduit for most of the CH₄ leaving the soil but also for the N₂O produced in the soil. Received: 31 January 1996     

中国自然湿地甲烷排放: 1995-2004年研究总结

From studies undertaken during 1995-2004, annual budgets of CH₄ emissions from natural wetlands and its temporal and spatial variations were examined throughout China, and various factors influencing CH₄ emissions were also evaluated. The seasonal variation in CH₄ emissions that increased with increasing plant growth reached its peak in August;decrease in the emissions was found in freshwater marshes but not in peatlands. Emissions were mainly controlled by temperature and depth of standing water. Low CH₄ emissions at the early plant growing stages were not because of deficiency of organic C for CH₄ production but because of low temperatures. Low temperatures not only reduced CH₄ production but also stimulated CH₄ oxidation by lowering the activity of other aerobic microbes which left more O₂ in the rhizosphere for methanotrophs. Low summer temperatures (below 20 ℃) in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau lowered CH₄ production and CH₄ emission resulting in little or no seasonal variation of emissions. Diel and spatial variation in CH₄ emissions depended on plant species. For plants that transport CH₄ using the pressure-driven convective through-flow mechanism, diel variation in CH₄ emissions was governed by diel variation of solar energy load (that produces temperature and vapor pressure differences within various plant tissues) and stomatal conductance. For plants that transport gases using the molecular diffusion mechanism only, the diel variation of CH₄ emissions was because of differences in the magnitude of O₂ produced through photosynthesis and then delivered into the rhizomes and/or rhizosphere for CH₄ oxidation. Emergent plants could transport more CH₄ than submerged plants because the former transport CH₄ directly into the atmosphere rather than into water as do submerged plants where CH₄ can be further be oxidized during its diffusion from water to the atmosphere. Emergent plants with high gas transport capacity could not only transport more CH₄ into the atmosphere but also live in deeper water, which in turn would inundate more plant litter, resulting in increased availability of C for CH₄ production. Annual CH₄ emission from natural wetlands in China was estimated to be 1.76 Tg, up to 1.17 Tg of which was emitted from freshwater marshes. CH₄ emission from freshwater marshes mainly occurred during the growing season and less than 8% was released during the freeze-thawing period despite the fact that thawing efficiently released CH₄ fixed in ice column into the atmosphere.     

Carbon cycling in rice field ecosystems in the context of input, decomposition and translocation of organic materials and the fates of their end products (CO2 and CH4)

Rice fields are intensively managed, unique agroecosystems, where soil flooding is general performance for rice cultivation. Flooding the field results in reductive soil conditions, under which decomposition of organic materials proceeds during the period of rice cultivation. A large variety of organic materials are incorporated into rice soils according to field management. In this review, the kind and abundance of organic materials entering carbon cycling in the rice field ecosystem are evaluated first. Then, decomposition of plant residues and soil organic matter in rice fields is reviewed quantitatively. Decomposition of plant residues is shown to be the active process in carbon cycling in rice fields. Rice releases photosynthates into the rhizosphere (rhizodeposition), and they follow a different avenue of decomposition in soil from that of plant residues. Incorporation of rhizodeposition into microbial biomass and soil organic matter during the period of rice cultivation, and their fates after harvesting are evaluated quantitatively from ¹³C pulse labeled experiments. Percolating water transports inorganic and organic carbon from the plow layer to the subsoil layer. The amounts of their transport and accumulation in the subsoil layer are evaluated in relation to the amounts of soil organic C in the plow layer. Not only CO₂ but also CH₄ are produced in the decomposition process of organic materials in flooded rice fields. CH₄ evolution from rice fields is of global concern from the viewpoint of global warming. Origins of CH₄ evolved from rice fields are estimated first, followed by the fates of CH₄ in rice field ecosystems. Rhizodeposition is shown to be the main origin of CH₄ evolved from rice fields. Evolution to the atmosphere is not the sole pathway of CH₄ produced in rice fields. The amounts of CH₄ retained in soil, percolated to the subsoil layer and decomposed in soil are evaluated in the context of the amounts of CH₄ efflux. Thus, this review focuses on carbon cycling in the rice field ecosystem from the viewpoints of input, decomposition, and translocation of organic materials and the fates of their end products (CO₂ and CH₄).     

Rice yield reduction by chamber enclosure: a possible effect on enhancing methane production

Major rice growth characteristics and grain yield were compared between inside and outside of a chamber coverage area after a seasonal CH₄ and N₂O flux measurement using a closed chamber technique. Results show that only grain yield was significantly (P<0.01) reduced by chamber enclosure. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in plant height, total straw weight, spike length, and average grain weight. Temperature increase during the gas flux measurement was likely the major cause for the observed grain yield decrease by sterilizing rice reproductive organs. Methane flux rates from rice fields were likely overestimated by using closed chamber technique because decreasing grain yield by chamber enclosure may result in more plant photosynthesis products released into soils to enhance CH₄ production. Analyzing CH₄ and CO₂ emission ratio from the rice field, after cutting the above-water part of rice plants, indicated that CH₄–C emission accounted for approximately 13% of the total CO₂ and CH₄–C emission during the major rice growing season.     

Methane concentration and emission as affected by methane transport capacity of plants in freshwater marsh

To elucidate effect of the CH₄ transport capacity of plants on CH₄ production and CH₄ emission, we measured CH₄ emission and the CH₄ transport capacity of plants as well as CH₄ and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations in porewater and redox potential in the freshwater marsh vegetated with Carex lasiocarpa, Carex meyeriana and Deyeuxia angustifolia. Although only 31% of CH₄ emitted was released via Deyeuxia angustifolia into the atmosphere compared to 72–86% via Carex plants and the CH₄ transport capacity of per stem of Deyeuxia angustifolia was only 8.0 g CH₄ stem^–1 h^–1 being equal to half for Carex plants, the flux of CH₄ emission from the Deyeuxia angustifolia marsh was just lower by 17–28% than those from the Carex marshes as the standing water depth decreased significantly from 15–20 to 5 cm, indicating that despite the poor CH₄ transport capability of Deyeuxia angustifolia partly reduced CH₄ emission via plants, however CH₄ emission was not greatly reduced as expected. This is because although the poor gas transport capability of Deyeuxia angustifolia lowered CH₄ emission to some extent, however it also decreased the input of O₂ into the rhizosphere via plants; the latter not only reduced CH₄ oxidation in the rhizosphere and/or rhizome but also lowered redox potential in the vertical profile resulting in an increase in CH₄ production potential and CH₄ concentration especially at 5 cm depth, which in turn facilitated CH₄ emission through diffusion in the Deyeuxia angustifolia marsh. This study suggests that the sharp decrease in the CH₄ transport capacity of plants did not necessary result in an expected lowering of CH₄ emission in the freshwater marsh.     

土壤－水分－植物体系中铅和镉的交互作用及其机制: Ⅱ. 根际中Pb-Cd的交互作用

The interaction of Pb-Cd can be observed not only in the uptake process of elements by plants and in their influence on the growth,but also in rhizosphere.The changes in extractable Cd and Pb concentrations in the rhizosphere soil of rice plants ,root exudates from wheat and wheat plant and their complexing capacity,with Pa and Cd were investigated under different Pb and Cd treatments.Results showed that the concentration of extractable Cd in the rhizosphere of rice in red soil was markedly increased by Pb-Cd interaction,It increased by 56% in the treatment with Pb and Cd added against that in the treatment with only Cd added in soil . The considerable differences in both composition and amount of root exudate from wheat and rice were found among different treatments.Pb and Cd might be complexed by root exudates ,The concentrations of free Pb and Cd in the solution were increased markedly by adding root exudate from wheat and decreased by that from rice due to Pd-Cd interaction.The distribution patterns of Pb and Cd in roots were affected by Pb-Cd interaction,which accelerated transport of Pb into internal tissue and retarded accumulation of Cd in external tissue.     

Metabolite profiling of shoot extract,root extract,and root exudate of rice under nitrogen and phosphorus deficiency

ABSTRACT

Root exudate is derived from plant metabolites and its composition is affected by plant nutrient status. A deficiency of mineral nutrients, such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), strongly affects the type and amount of plant metabolites. We applied a metabolite profiling technique to investigate root exudates of rice plants under N and P deficiency. Oryza sativa was grown in culture solution containing two N levels (0 and 60 mg N L^?1) or two P levels (0 and 8 mg P L^?1). Shoot extracts, root extracts, and root exudates were obtained from the rice plants 5 and 15 days after transplanting and their metabolites were determined by capillary electrophoresis/time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Shoot N concentration and dry weight of rice plants grown at ?N level were lower than those of plants grown at +N level. Shoot P concentration and dry weight of rice plants grown at ?P level were lower than those of plants grown at +P level. One hundred and thirty-two, 127, and 98 metabolites were identified in shoot extracts, root extracts, and root exudates, respectively, at the two N levels. One hundred and thirty-two, 128, and 99 metabolites were identified in shoot extracts, root extracts, and root exudates, respectively, at the two P levels. Seventy-seven percent of the metabolites were exuded to the rhizosphere. The concentrations of betaine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and glutarate in root exudates were higher at both ?N and ?P levels than at their respective high levels. The concentration of spermidine in root exudates was lower at both ?N and ?P levels than at their respective high levels. The concentrations of the other metabolites in root exudates were affected differently by plant N or P status. These results suggest that rice roots actively release many metabolites in response to N and P deficiency.     

Contribution of exudates,arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and litter depositions to the rhizosphere priming effect induced by grassland species

The presence of plants induces strong accelerations in soil organic matter (SOM) mineralization by stimulating soil microbial activity – a phenomenon known as the rhizosphere priming effect (RPE). The RPE could be induced by several mechanisms including root exudates, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and root litter. However the contribution of each of these to rhizosphere priming is unknown due to the complexity involved in studying rhizospheric processes. In order to determine the role of each of these mechanisms, we incubated soils enclosed in nylon meshes that were permeable to exudates, or exudates & AMF or exudates, AMF and roots under three grassland plant species grown on sand. Plants were continuously labeled with ¹³C depleted CO₂ that allowed distinguishing plant-derived CO₂ from soil-derived CO₂. We show that root exudation was the main way by which plants induced RPE (58–96% of total RPE) followed by root litter. AMF did not contribute to rhizosphere priming under the two species that were significantly colonized by them i.e. Poa trivialis and Trifolium repens. Root exudates and root litter differed with respect to their mechanism of inducing RPE. Exudates induced RPE without increasing microbial biomass whereas root litter increased microbial biomass and raised the RPE mediating saprophytic fungi. The RPE efficiency (RPE/unit plant-C assimilated into microbes) was 3–7 times higher for exudates than for root litter. This efficiency of exudates is explained by a microbial allocation of fresh carbon to mineralization activity rather than to growth. These results suggest that root exudation is the main way by which plants stimulated mineralization of soil organic matter. Moreover, the plants through their exudates not only provide energy to soil microorganisms but also seem to control the way the energy is used in order to maximize soil organic matter mineralization and drive their own nutrient supply.     

Root-induced changes in the rhizosphere: Importance for the mineral nutrition of plants

Root-induced changes in the rhizosphere may affect mineral nutrition of plants in various ways. Examples for this are changes in rhizosphere pH in response to the source of nitrogen (NH₄-N versus NO₃-N), and iron and phosphorus deficiency. These pH changes can readily be demonstrated by infiltration of the soil with agar containing a pH indicator. The rhizosphere pH may be as much as 2 units higher or lower than the pH of the bulk soil. Also along the roots distinct differences in rhizosphere pH exist. In response to iron deficiency most plant species in their apical root zones increase the rate of H⁺ net excretion (acidification), the reducing capacity, the rate of Fe^III reduction and iron uptake. Also manganese reduction and uptake is increased several-fold, leading to high manganese concentrations in iron deficient plants. Low-molecular-weight root exudates may enhance mobilization of mineral nutrients in the rhizosphere. In response to iron deficiency, roots of grass species release non-proteinogenic amino acids (?phytosiderophores”?) which dissolve inorganic iron compounds by chelation of Fe^III and also mediate the plasma membrane transport of this chelated iron into the roots. A particular mechanism of mobilization of phosphorus in the rhizosphere exists in white lupin (Lupinus albus L.). In this species, phosphorus deficiency induces the formation of so-called proteoid roots. In these root zones sparingly soluble iron and aluminium phosphates are mobilized by the exudation of chelating substances (probably citrate), net excretion of H⁺ and increase in the reducing capacity. In mixed culture with white lupin, phosphorus uptake per unit root length of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants from a soil low in available P is increased, indicating that wheat can take up phosphorus mobilized in the proteoid root zones of lupin. At the rhizoplane and in the root (root homogenates) of several plant species grown in different soils, of the total number of bacteria less than 1 % are N₂-fixing (diazotrophe) bacteria, mainly Enterobacter and Klebsiella. The proportion of the diazotroph bacteria is higher in the rhizosphere soil. This discrimination of diazotroph bacteria in the rhizosphere is increased with foliar application of combined nitrogen. Inoculation with the diazotroph bacteria Azospirillum increases root length and enhances formation of lateral roots and root hairs similarly as does application of auxin (IAA). Thus rhizosphere bacteria such as Azospirillum may affect mineral nutrition and plant growth indirectly rather than by supply of nitrogen.     

Methane oxidation in the soil surface layer of a flooded rice field and the effect of ammonium

Summary The CH₄ flux from intact soil cores of a flooded rice field in Italy was measured under aerobic and anaerobic incubation conditions. The difference between the anaerobic and aerobic CH₄ fluxes was apparently due to CH₄ oxidation in the oxic soil surface layer. This conclusion was supported by measurements of the vertical CH₄ profile in the upper 2-cm layer, and of the V _max of CH₄ oxidation in slurried samples of the soil surface layer. About 80% of the CH₄ was oxidized during its passage through the soil surface layer. CH₄ oxidation was apparently limited by the concentration of CH₄ and/or O₂ in the active surface layer. The addition of ammonium to the water layer on top of the soil core reversibly increased the aerobic CH₄ fluxes due to inhibition of CH₄ oxidation in the soil surface layer.     

根系分泌物主要作用及解析技术进展

根系分泌物是植物保持根际微生态系统活力的关键因素，也是根际物质循环的重要组成部分，对根际土壤生态环境中的物质循环具有重要的驱动作用。根系分泌物可以刺激微生物生长，增强其活性，加速根际养分循环，增加土壤养分利用率，并在小规模空间引起温室气体通量的变化。此外，它也是植物参与竞争的重要策略，植物通过根分泌物以获取种间长期生存的养分，甚至分泌对自身有害的化感物质来排挤其他植物，实现自我生存，即使存在自毒作用或引起连作障碍等。植物的健康生长依赖于自身与土壤微生物复杂动态群落的相互作用，但是根际微生物群落结构和组成却又受植物物种、植物生长期、土壤性质、功能基因等因素影响，这些因素的动态变化可能导致根系分泌物的多样化，从而形成复杂多变的根系分泌物与植物的关系，进而影响植物的健康生长。目前，对植物根系分泌物的研究是土壤生态学、植物营养与代谢等领域的研究热点，且随着分析技术手段的快速发展，根系分泌物相关研究也逐渐深入，进一步揭示植物与微生物间的协同作用机理对农、林等行业生产具有重要的指导意义。     

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of water‐soluble root exudates in relation to plant species and development

The composition of root‐derived substances is of great importance for the understanding of processes in the rhizosphere. Therefore, methods allowing a comprehensive collection and chemical analysis of the organic root exudates are necessary. In this study, we compare different methods with regard to their suitability to collect and characterize root exudates. Because the percolation or water logging method failed to quantitatively extract root exudates, a dipping method was developed which allowed an almost complete sampling of coldwater‐soluble root exudates. By ¹⁴CO₂ labeling of the shoots the composition of root exudates was found to be influenced by plant species and growth stage. In comparison to pea plants maize plants had a higher share of carboxylic acids and a lower share of sugars. Younger maize plants exuded considerably higher amounts of ¹⁴C labeled organic substances per g root dry matter than older ones. During plant development the relative amount of sugars decreased at the expense of carboxylic acids. The described methods are well suited for the elucidation of the influence of growth factors on root exudation.