供磷水平对苗期小麦地上和地下部性状关联性的影响

【目的】磷素是植物生长发育过程中必需的大量元素之一,土壤磷水平的高低对植物地上部和地下部性状有着显著的影响。探究高、低磷水平对小麦地上和地下部性状变化以及地上和地下部性状相关性变化的影响,为研究不同磷环境对小麦生长的影响,选育适应不同磷环境的优良小麦品种提供参考。【方法】小麦品种和磷水平双因素盆栽试验在河北农业大学温室内进行,供试土壤有效磷含量为5.50 mg/kg。试验设置0和200mg/kg两个施磷水平;选用10个小麦品种。小麦分别在两个磷水平下生长35天后收获,测定小麦幼苗地上部性状（干重、相对生长速率、地上部磷吸收量、地上部磷含量和叶绿素含量）和根部性状（根干重、根长、根冠比、比根长、根直径、细根比例、根组织密度、根际土壤pH和酸性磷酸酶活性）。【结果】与高磷处理相比,低磷处理小麦地上部干重、地上部磷吸收量以及地上部磷含量分别显著降低了57.9%～72.2%、85.7%～89.8%、61.3%～71.7%,小麦根长、细根比例、根组织密度、根冠比以及比根长分别增加了50.9%～249.5%、32.5%～442.5%、–34.5%～400.0%、27.4%～198.9%、74.4%...     

水分和磷对苗期玉米根系形态和磷吸收的耦合效应

水分亏缺和土壤缺磷已经成为玉米(Zea mays L.)生产的主要限制性因素,但水分和磷如何调节玉米根系形态和磷吸收尚不完全清楚。本研究采用盆栽土培试验,设置4个水分梯度[田间持水量的35%(W1)、55%(W2)、75%(W3)和100%(W4)]和2个磷处理[高磷:205 mg(P)·kg~(-1);低磷:11 mg(P)·kg~(-1)],探究水分和磷对苗期玉米根系生长和磷吸收的耦合效应。结果表明:(1)不管土壤磷供应如何,玉米苗干重、根干重、总根长和根表面积随水分供应强度的增加呈现先增加后降低的趋势,土壤有效磷含量也表现出相似的变化趋势,根质量比和平均根直径随水分供应强度的增加呈现下降的趋势,植株磷含量和磷累积量随水分供应强度的增加呈现稳定增加的趋势;(2)水分亏缺(W1)和过量供应(W4)均不利于玉米根系生长和干物质累积,水分亏缺(W1)抑制玉米对土壤磷素的获取,水分过量供应(W4)引起土壤磷素的奢侈吸收(W4),轻度的水分胁迫(W2)能够促进玉米根系的生长和干物质累积,减少对土壤磷的奢侈吸收,充足的水分供应(W3)能够促进玉米根系的生长、干物质累积和土壤磷素的吸收;(3)磷供应显著增加了玉米苗干重、根干重(W4除外)、总根长、根表面积、植株磷含量(W4除外)和磷累积量,但降低了玉米的根质量比。(4)两因素方差分析结果表明,水分对苗干重、根干重、根质量比、总根长、根表面积、平均根直径、植株磷含量、植株磷累积量和土壤有效磷含量的相对贡献分别为45.94%、36.71%、67.95%、59.63%、58.34%、81.86%、24.75%、35.66%和3.00%,磷对这些参数的相对贡献分别为34.78%、21.19%、14.84%、9.22%、9.21%、1.56%、35.54%、49.75%和94.40%,可见水分是控制玉米根系形态和干物质累积的关键因子,磷是控制玉米地上磷吸收和土壤有效磷含量的关键因子。总体来说,低磷条件下玉米根系对土壤磷的获取偏向于以根形态为主导的适应策略,高磷条件下玉米根系对土壤磷的获取偏向于以根生理吸收为主导的适应策略。水分和磷之间较好的耦合能够促进玉米根系生长、干物质累积,减少对土壤磷素的奢侈吸收。     

施磷影响番茄磷吸收的根系及微生物动态过程

探究不同供磷条件下蔬菜作物根系形态、根际生理属性和解磷微生物丰度的变化,有助于揭示蔬菜作物 高效利用磷的机制,为高投入蔬菜种植体系实现减磷增效提供理论基础。以番茄为供试作物进行田间试验,设 置 T0(不施化学磷肥)、T0.5P(施磷量 100 kg/hm²;减施化学磷肥 50%)、T0.8P(施磷量 160 kg/hm²;减施化学磷肥 20%)、TP(施磷量 200 kg/hm²;常规施磷)4 个处理,测定移栽后第 15、30 及 45 d 番茄地上部生物量和磷吸收 以及根系形态(根长密度、比根长)、根际生理属性(有机酸含量)和土壤解磷微生物(phoD、phoC 和 pqqC)基 因丰度,阐明降低磷肥施用量影响作物根系、微生物以及驱动番茄磷吸收的动态过程。与常规施肥相比,减施磷 肥 50%(施磷 100 kg/hm²)促进了移栽后 45 d 番茄根系比根长的增加,提高了移栽后 45 d 番茄根际有机酸的分泌, 同时刺激了移栽后 30 和 45 d 土壤编码 phoC 和 pqqC 基因解磷微生物的增生。解磷微生物 phoC 和 pqqC 基因丰度 与番茄根系比根长和根际有机酸的分泌呈显著正相关。减施磷肥 20%(施磷 160 kg/hm²)与常规施肥相比,对番 茄根系根长密度、比根长以及根际有机酸的分泌无显著影响,但显著促进了成熟期番茄地上部磷吸收。集约化蔬 菜种植体系具有较大的减施磷肥的空间,最大化发挥植物根系形态、生理可塑性以及协同解磷微生物活化磷的能 力是实现减磷增效的关键。     

碳对微生物–根系介导的蔬菜作物磷吸收的影响

  【目的】  碳是微生物代谢活动的能量来源,解析碳驱动的微生物磷周转对根系/根际属性以及作物磷吸收的影响,对探索提高磷利用效率的根际调控措施具有重要的指导意义。  【方法】  以绿叶蔬菜上海青(Brassica chinensis L., Xiaqing 3)为供试作物进行盆栽试验,供试碳源为葡萄糖。设置添加葡萄糖(+G)和不添加葡萄糖(?G,对照)两个处理,在添加葡萄糖后第7天和第21天,测定土壤微生物量磷与Olsen-P含量、根际酸性磷酸酶活性以及柠檬酸和苹果酸含量、根系形态(生物量、根冠比、根长、根系直径、比根长和根系组织密度)与根际生理(酸性磷酸酶、柠檬酸和苹果酸)指标和作物磷吸收量。  【结果】  添加葡萄糖后第7天,土壤微生物量磷增加,Olsen-P含量降低;上海青根系生物量和根冠比显著高于对照,另外,与不加葡萄糖处理相比,添加葡萄糖导致上海青总根长降低33%,根系平均直径增加27%,比根长降低46%,根际柠檬酸含量增加106%。从第7天到第21天,添加葡萄糖处理土壤微生物量磷降低,Olsen-P含量增加,上海青根系生长速率显著提高。葡萄糖添加后第21天,添加葡萄糖处理土壤Olsen-P含量高于对照土壤;与不加葡萄糖的处理相比,根际酸性磷酸酶和柠檬酸的分泌降低,上海青根系总根长增加,其相对增加量为31%。添加葡萄糖对第7天和第21天上海青地上部磷吸收没有显著影响。  【结论】  添加葡萄糖提高了前期(添加葡萄糖后第7天)根际微生物量磷,降低了Olsen-P含量,促进根际柠檬酸的分泌满足作物生长对磷的需求。后期(添加葡萄糖后第21天),微生物量磷的降低促进土壤有效磷含量的增加,刺激根系快速伸长。微生物介导磷周转诱导作物调节根系形态和根际分泌物响应土壤磷环境的变化,维持地上部磷营养。     

磷、硒配施对冬小麦硒吸收及土壤硒形态转化的影响

为研究磷硒配施对冬小麦根土界面硒有效性及形态分级的影响,并探究磷硒配施提高土壤硒有效性的可能机制,以冬小麦为试验材料进行根箱培养试验,设置0(P0)、80(P80)、160 mg·kg^-1(P160)3个磷水平和0(Se0)、1 mg·kg^-1(Se1)2个硒水平,分析冬小麦植株磷硒含量、累积量、迁移系数及根际和非根际土5种硒形态含量。结果表明,无论施硒与否,随着磷含量的增加,冬小麦生物量、地上部和根系磷含量均增大。施硒1 mg·kg^-1显著降低了P80和P160水平下冬小麦生物量、P160水平下根系磷含量及各部位磷累积量。在Se1条件下,施磷增加了各部位硒累积量,但显著降低了地上部硒含量和硒从根系向地上部的迁移系数。在Se0条件下,P160处理增加了根际土壤和非根际土壤中的可交换态硒含量。在Se1条件下,P160处理根际土壤中可交换态硒含量显著高于非根际土壤,但铁锰氧化物结合态硒和残渣态硒含量低于非根际土壤。综上所述,适宜的磷硒配施可影响土壤中各种硒形态的转化过程,可能是由于磷的施入和根系活动共同作用促进了土壤中铁锰氧...     

砂培条件下两种磷效率棉花根系形态及根际特征差异

为对比两种磷效率棉花在两种磷水平(0.1和5 mmol/L)的根系形态和根际特征的差异。以磷高效型棉花ZM42和磷低效型棉花XLZ13为研究对象设计砂培花盆分层试验,测定生物量、吸磷量、根系形态数据、分层Olsen－P、 pH值和酸性磷酸酶。结果表明：在砂培条件下两种磷效率棉花生物量和磷素积累量随施磷量的增加均有不同程度增加; ZM42在两种磷处理的根部生物量、吸磷量以及根冠比都优于XLZ13。在两种磷处理下, ZM42根系中根径(0~0.4 mm)的细根长度较XLZ13长,细根在总根长中的比例较高。总根长中细根越多有利于促进植株对磷的吸收。生长介质中磷含量降低时,棉花根际pH值也随之降低,高效品种ZM42的根际pH值降低幅度显著高于XLZ13;两种磷效率棉花在两个时期的根际土壤磷酸酶活性均随着施磷量的减少而增加,磷高效棉花ZM42分泌的土壤磷酸酶活性均高于磷低效棉花XLZ13。由此可见,两种磷效率棉花在相同生长介质中根际机理存在差异,且在低磷胁迫下磷高效棉花根系形态特征改变是根际磷活化主要机理之一。     

局部硝态氮供应对不同品种小麦侧根发育的影响

小麦为须根系植物,根系发生发育除了受遗传因素控制外,还受环境因素的影响。研究局部供应硝态氮对小麦侧根发生发育及植株氮素吸收的影响,可为小麦品种选育,增强小麦吸收硝态氮、提高氮素吸收效率提供技术支撑和理论基础。选择4个小麦品种,H10、L14、衡观35和石麦15,开展盆栽试验,设置3个施氮水平：N0、94.5、473.5 kg/hm²,研究硝态氮供应对不同品种小麦生物量和地上部氮素积累量的影响;进行营养液分根培养试验,两侧设置6个施氮处理：0/0、0/2.5、0/50、2.5/2.5、2.5/50和50/50 mmol/L,研究局部供应硝态氮对小麦侧根发生发育及植株氮素吸收的影响。研究发现,(1)小麦H10和衡观35在473.5 kg/hm²高氮处理下生物量和地上部氮素积累量最大,L14和石麦15相对较小。(2)分根培养条件下,两侧均施50.0 mmol/L硝态氮小麦地上部干重与氮浓度明显高于两侧不施硝态氮处理。2.50 mmol/L处理一侧衡观35根干重和侧根密度高于不施硝态氮一侧,而L14在50.0 mmol/L硝态氮处理一侧根干重较大、侧...     

不同基因型小麦侧根生长对硝态氮的响应差异

以4个小麦品种石麦15、衡观35、H10和L14为供试作物,进行营养液培养试验,研究不同浓度硝态氮供应对小麦侧根发育的影响。结果表明:0.05~25.0 mmol/L硝态氮处理13 d,小麦生物量及侧根形态尚未受到明显影响;硝态氮处理22 d后,植株地上部生物量和氮含量明显增加,石麦15、H10和衡观35增加幅度较大,L14增幅较小;0.05 mmol/L低浓度硝态氮处理下,4个小麦品种的侧根平均长度较长。进一步研究发现,小麦侧根发育对不同浓度硝态氮供应的反应存在明显的基因型差异:0.05 mmol/L硝态氮处理下,石麦15的侧根长度和总根长增加,侧根密度无明显变化;H10的侧根总长度增加,侧根密度减少;衡观35的侧根密度减少,侧根总长度变化不大,而L14的侧根总长度和侧根密度均无明显改变。硝态氮处理浓度在2.5~20.0 mmol/L范围内,小麦侧根数量和长度均没有受到明显影响,在均匀供应硝态氮条件下,高浓度的硝态氮处理未影响小麦的侧根长度和数量。     

野生大豆根系形态对局部磷供应的响应及其对磷吸收的贡献

通过土柱试验模拟局部供磷,定量评价了磷局部供应对野生大豆根系形态参数的影响以及这些根形态参数对植株磷吸收的贡献.磷局部供应明显改变了野生大豆的根形态,使总根长增加了80.5％,比根长增加了32.6％,根表面积扩大了70.7％,根直径减小了27.6％,植株对磷的吸收增加了43.2％,地上干重增加了72.0％;在所有的根形态参数中,总根长、根表面积和比根长对野生大豆植株磷吸收具有较大贡献,其中尤以比根长对植株磷吸收贡献最大,即在根长增加的同时,根直径减小能够明显提高野大豆根系对磷的吸收.结果表明,野生大豆对局部磷供应表现出高度的根系形态可塑性,通过局部养分供应优化根系空间分布和定向调控根系生长能显著提高植物对异质性土壤磷资源的获取能力.     

石灰性土壤上两种磷效率小麦根际特征差异

采用三室根箱实验,选用黑垆土和潮土两种石灰性土壤,对两种磷水平的磷低效型小麦京411和磷高效型小麦小偃54,进行植株生物量及吸磷量、根际土壤pH值、磷酸酶含量、水溶性磷含量的测定,旨在研究两种磷效率小麦在不同石灰性土壤上的根际特征差异.结果表明,不施磷条件下,两种土壤上,小偃54的根部生物量分别为0.85和4.62 g,均显著高于京411的0.68和3.65 g;小偃54根际土壤的pH值分别比京411低0.07,0.11个单位;在施磷条件下,小偃54的根际土壤水溶性磷分别低于京411 837,1588 μg/kg,达到显著性差异.根际磷酸酶在不同土壤上存在明显的差异,黑垆土在不施磷条件下小偃54的根际土壤磷酸酶含量显著高于京411,在潮土上呈现相反的趋势.试验结果表明,两种磷效率,小麦根际特征在不同土壤上有一定的相似性,同时存在明显差异.     

Mycorrhizal community structure,microbial biomass P and phosphatase activities under Salix polaris as influenced by nutrient availability

Low supply of the nutrients nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) limit plant growth and spreading, and increase the plant-microbial nutrient competition in subarctic and arctic regions. We investigated the mycorrhizal community structure of a polar shrub willow (Salix polaris) and the microbial turnover in its rhizosphere to explore the adaptation of a mycorrhizal plant in the subarctic tundra. The ectomycorrhizal colonisation ranged from 35 to 64% of the fine root tips and decreased with an increasing soil C/N ratio. In total, 16 ectomycorrhizal morphotypes were found under S. polaris (eight to 13 morphotypes per site, five morphotypes at all four sites). Cenococcum sp. was the most common EM fungus (32% of the ectomycorrhizal fine roots). The abundance of Cenococcum sp. increased with an increasing organic matter content and N/P ratio in the soil. Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonisation of S. polaris was absent or less than 1% of the fine root length. Microbial biomass P accounted for 21–75% of the organic soil P and 6–49% of the total soil P. Microbial biomass P, alkaline and acid phosphatase activities in the rhizosphere increased with increasing soil N concentration. We conclude that a higher N supply decreases the diversity in the mycorrhizal community on polar willows and increases the role of P turnover from the soil microbial biomass for the nutrient supply.     

Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on rhizosphere organic acid content and microbial activity of trifoliate orange under different low P conditions

ABSTRACT

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can improve plant phosphorus (P) uptake; however, information about how AM fungi affect rhizosphere organic acid and microbial activity to alleviate citrus low P stress is limited. Here, a pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of AM fungi (Rhizophagus intraradices, Ri) inoculation on rhizosphere organic acid content, microbial biomass (MB) and enzyme activity of trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf.) seedlings grown under three low P conditions. The results showed that mycorrhizal seedlings all recorded higher P concentrations, plant biomass and better root morphology with more lateral and fine roots, but lower root mass ratios, irrespective of P conditions. Mycorrhizal P absorption contribution did not differ significantly among three P conditions. Mycorrhizal seedling rhizosphere soil exhibited lower organic acid content, soil organic P content and ratio of MB-carbon (C)/MB-P, but higher MB and enzyme activity. Additionally, the main organic acids showed a negative relationship with mycorrhizal colonization rate and hyphal length; however, phosphatase and phytase activity had a significantly positive relationship with MB. Therefore, the results suggest that AM fungi inoculation may help citrus to efficiently utilize organic P source by improving microbial activity under low available P conditions.     

蚕豆增加直径为0.3~0.7 mm的中等根系根长适应土壤异质养分供应

【目的】 土壤养分通常呈异质分布。蚕豆根系具有很强的养分活化能力,苗期蚕豆的生物量积累对土壤养分供应不敏感,研究蚕豆根系形态对异质养分供应的响应,为挖掘作物高效利用土壤养分的生物学潜力提供理论依据。【方法】 采用盆栽试验,设四个处理:均质供应低量氮磷钾养分;异质供应低量氮磷钾养分;均质供应高量氮磷钾养分;异质供应高量氮磷钾养分。测定蚕豆生物量、根系形态特征、根际过程和地上部养分吸收。【结果】 蚕豆地上部生物量在3.0~4.0 g/pot之间,根系生物量是地上部生物量的20%左右,四个处理间没有显著差异。在低养分土上,异质养分供应处理的蚕豆总根系长度比均质养分供应高46.0%。异质养分供应诱导了中等根系（0.3~0.7 mm）的增生,增加了根系总长度。在高养分土上,未供应养分一侧的蚕豆根系长度为1.7 m/pot,明显高于供应养分的一侧54.5%,后者与均质养分供应的根系长度无明显差异。无论低养分还是高养分土处理,直径为0.3~0.7 mm的中等根系都是蚕豆根系的主体,分别占总根长的67.5%和73.1%。蚕豆比根长在40.0~65.0 m/g之间。在低养分土上,异质养分供应蚕豆两侧的比根长显著高于均质养分供应处理41.4%和43.8%,但两侧比根长并无明显差异,说明异质养分供应能够减少根系的直径,增加根系的表面积。蚕豆根际酸性磷酸酶活性在PNP 0.22~0.53 μmol/（g·h）（干土）之间。在低养分土中,均质与异质供应养分两侧的根际磷酸酶活性并无显著性差异。蚕豆根系分泌的有机酸阴离子种类有苹果酸阴离子、柠檬酸阴离子和琥珀酸阴离子,每种有机酸阴离子浓度在处理间无明显差异。所有处理蚕豆地上部养分浓度均在养分亏缺临界浓度之上。养分供应方式和强度对蚕豆地上部的氮磷钾浓度和吸收量没有显著影响。【结论】 蚕豆根系能够感知土壤养分供应的状况,改变不同直径根系的比例和0.3~0.7 mm直径根系的长度,增强吸收土壤养分的能力。     

在富营养土壤斑块中根增值对玉米养分吸收和生长的贡献

Root proliferation can be stimulated in a heterogeneous nutrient patch; however, the functions of the root proliferation in the nutrient-rich soil patches are not fully understood. In the present study, a two-year field experiment was conducted to examine the comparative effects of localized application of ammonium and phosphorus (P) at early or late stages on root growth, nutrient uptake, and biomass of maize (Zea mays L.) on a calcareous soil in an intensive farming system. Localized supply of ammonium and P had a more evident effect on shoot and root growth, and especially stimulated fine root development at the early seedling stage, with most of the maize roots being allocated to the nutrient-rich patch in the topsoil. Although localized ammonium and P supply at the late stage also enhanced the fine root growth, the plant roots in the patch accounted for a low proportion of the whole maize roots in the topsoil at the flowering stage. Compared with the early stage, fine root length in the short-lived nutrient patch decreased by 44%-62% and the shoot dry weight was not different between heterogeneous and homogeneous nutrient supply at the late growth stage. Localized supply of ammonium and P significantly increased N and P accumulation by maize at 35 and 47 days after sowing (DAS); however, no significant difference was found among the treatments at 82 DAS and the later growth stages. The increased nutrient uptake and plant growth was related to the higher proportion of root length in the localized nutrient-enriched patch. The results indicated that root proliferation in nutrient patches contributed more to maize growth and nutrient uptake at the early than late stages.     

根系分隔方式对玉米/大豆根际土壤碳含量及磷有效性的影响

【目的】豆科与禾本科间作体系中对磷有效性的影响主要集中在根系分泌物的活化作用,由根际沉淀引起的土壤碳含量与磷酸酶活性变化及其对红壤磷有效性的影响机制尚不清楚。【方法】本研究以间作玉米大豆为研究对象,设置根系完全分隔、尼龙网分隔、不分隔3种方式,在0、21.83、43.67、65.50和87.34 P mg kg-1（分别记为P0、P1、P2、P3和P4）磷肥施用水平下进行盆栽试验,研究根系分隔方式对间作玉米大豆根际土壤微生物量碳（MBC）、溶解性有机碳（DOC）、根际土壤有机碳（ROC）、酸性磷酸酶活性（ACP）、碱性磷酸酶活性（ALP）、速效磷和Hedley磷组分的影响。【结果】相比完全分隔,根系不分隔可提高玉米和大豆根际土壤MBC含量,显著降低玉米根际土壤DOC含量,低磷水平（P0、P1）时显著提高大豆DOC含量,显著提高玉米（仅在低磷时）和大豆根际土壤ACP活性,低磷时显著提高大豆根际土壤ALP活性。除玉米活性磷组分外,根系分隔方式对间作玉米大豆根际土壤速效磷、磷组分有显著或极显著影响。根系不分隔较完全分隔可通过降低大豆根际活性无机磷（Pi）(P0除外)和中活性Pi从而提高玉米根...     

Growth,phosphorus uptake,and rhizosphere microbial‐community composition of a phosphorus‐efficient wheat cultivar in soils differing in pH

In a pot experiment, the P‐efficient wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar Goldmark was grown in ten soils from South Australia covering a wide range of pH (four acidic, two neutral, and four alkaline soils) with low to moderate P availability. Phosphorus (100 mg P kg^–1) was supplied as FePO₄ to acidic soils, CaHPO₄ to alkaline, and 1:1 mixture of FePO₄ and CaHPO₄ to neutral soils. Phosphorus uptake was correlated with P availability measured by anion‐exchange resin and microbial biomass P in the rhizosphere. Growth and P uptake were best in the neutral soils, lower in the acidic, and poorest in the alkaline soils. The good growth in the neutral soils could be explained by a combination of extensive soil exploitation by the roots and high phosphatase activity in the rhizosphere, indicating microbial facilitation of organic‐P mineralization. The plant effect (soil exploitation by roots) appeared to dominate in the acidic soils. Alkaline phosphatase and diesterase activities in acidic soils were lower than in neutral soils, but strongly increased in the rhizosphere compared with the bulk soil, suggesting that microorganisms contribute to P uptake in these acidic soils. Shoot and root growth and P uptake per unit root length were lowest in the alkaline soils. Despite high alkaline phosphatase and diesterase activities in the alkaline soils, microbial biomass P was low, suggesting that the enzymes could not mineralize sufficient organic P to meet the demands of plants and microorganisms. Microbial‐community composition, assessed by fatty acid methylester (FAME) analysis, was strongly dependent on soil pH, whereas other soil properties (organic‐C or CaCO₃ content) were less important or not important at all (soil texture).     

低磷环境下接种丛枝菌根真菌促进紫花苜蓿生长和磷素吸收的机理

[目的]磷极易被土壤吸附和固定,导致土壤中磷有效性较低.研究接种丛枝菌根真菌(arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF)和低磷处理两者交互对紫花苜蓿生长和磷吸收的影响,为提高碱性土壤中磷肥利用率提供理论依据.[方法]以黄绵土和紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa)为试验材料进行盆栽试验.在施...     

Carbon Turnover in the Rhizosphere

Considerable progress has been made during the last decade towards understanding and quantifying the input and turnover of plant carbon in the rhizosphere. This was made possible by the development (partially by the authors) and combination of appropriate new methods, such as:

• –homogeneous labelling of whole plants with ¹⁴C
• –distinction between root and microbial respiration
• –separation of soil zones of known distances from the roots
• –determination of microbial soil biomass.

These methods were applied to study the following aspects:

• –release of organic plant carbon into the soil by growing roots
• –utilization of this plant carbon by the microbial biomass in the rhizosphere
• –related influence on the turnover of soil organic matter, and
• –spatial range of such root influence in the soil.

About 19% of the total photosynthetic production of the investigated plants was released into the rhizosphere as organic material. Most of this (15%) was transformed by the rhizosphere microorganisms into CO₂, while only a small fraction (4%) remained in the soil, mainly as microbial cells (2.5%). As a result, microbial rhizosphere biomass increased considerably. Relative to the organic C-input, however, the incorporation of root derived carbon by the microbial biomass was remarkably low (13%). Along with the increase in microbial rhizosphere biomass, the presence of plant roots also enhanced the decomposition of soil organic matter and affected soil aggregate stability. Root carbon and root influences were even detected up to 20 mm away from the roots. This may be partially attributed to the contribution of root derived volatiles. Accordingly, both the actual volume of the rhizosphere and its metabolic significance is greater than what has so far been assumed. Possible interactions involving root, soil and microbial carbon are discussed.