Rooting for microbes: impact of root architecture on the microbial community and function in top- and subsoil

• DOI: 10.1007/s11104-024-07181-w
• Publication Date: 2025-01-08T05:36:51Z
• Authors: Adrian Lattacher; Samuel Le Gall; Youri Rothfuss; Chao Gao; Moritz Harings; Holger Pagel; Mona Giraud; Samir Alahmad; Lee T. Hickey; Ellen Kandeler; Christian Poll
• Keywords: Subsoil; Topsoil; Nutrient cycle

Abstract Background and aims Climate change associated weather extremes pose major challenges to agricultural food production, necessitating the development of more resilient systems. Adapting cropping systems cope with extreme environmental conditions is a critical challenge. This study investigates influence contrasting root system architectures on microbial communities functions in top- subsoil. Methods A column experiment was performed investigate effects different architectures, specifically deep (DRS) shallow (SRS) wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) biomass, groups, extracellular enzyme activities soil. We focused β-glucosidase (BG) activity, which an indicator for during plant growth stages, using destructive non-destructive approaches. Results found that DRS promoted biomass activity subsoil, while SRS increased topsoil. In-situ soil zymography provided fine-scale spatial insights, highlighting distinct patterns BG near centers formation hotspots, were defined as regions where exceeds mean level by 50%. Temporal changes further underscored dynamic nature root-microbe interactions. Extracellular indicated varying carbon, nitrogen phosphorus acquisition strategies rhizosphere microorganisms between Conclusion underscores need consider architecture strategies, it plays crucial role influencing activities, ultimately affecting carbon nutrient cycling processes