Root exudation links root traits to soil functioning in agroecosystems

von Haden, Adam C.; Eddy, William C.; Burnham, Mark. B.; Brzostek, Edward R.; Yang, Wendy H.; DeLucia, Evan H.

doi:10.1007/s11104-024-06491-3

Root exudation links root traits to soil functioning in agroecosystems

Journal Article · Mon Jan 22 23:00:00 EST 2024 · Plant and Soil

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-024-06491-3· OSTI ID:2282894

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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL (United States); University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI (United States); CABBI
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL (United States)
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL (United States); Emory & Henry College, VA (United States)
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL (United States); West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV (United States)

Root exudation is a key process for plant nutrient acquisition, but the controls on root exudation and its relationship to soil C and N processes in agroecosystems are unclear. We hypothesized that root exudation rates would be related to root morphological traits, N fertilization, and soil moisture. We also anticipated that root exudation would be correlated with bulk soil enzyme activity. Root exudation, root traits, and bulk soil extracellular enzyme activity were assessed in maize (Zea mays L.), soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), biomass sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), giant miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus), and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). Measurements were taken in situ during two growing seasons with contrasting precipitation regimes, and N fertilization rate was varied in sorghum during one year. Specific root exudation (per unit root surface area) was negatively related to root diameter and was generally higher in annuals than perennials. Sorghum N fertilization did not affect root exudation rates, and soil moisture regime had no effect on annual root exudation rates within maize, sorghum, and miscanthus. Specific root exudation was negatively related to bulk soil C- and N-degrading soil enzyme activities. Intrinsic plant characteristics appeared more important than environmental variables in controlling in situ root exudation rates. The relationships between root diameter, root exudation, and soil C and N processes link root morphological traits to soil functions and demonstrate the potential tradeoffs among plant nutrient acquisition strategies in agroecosystems.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI), Urbana, IL (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0018420

OSTI ID:: 2282894

Journal Information:: Plant and Soil, Journal Name: Plant and Soil Vol. 500; ISSN 0032-079X

Publisher:: Springer NatureCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Root exudation links root traits to soil functioning in agroecosystems

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