Changes in root exudate induced respiration reveal a novel mechanism through which drought affects ecosystem C cyclingCitation formats
Standard
Changes in root exudate induced respiration reveal a novel mechanism through which drought affects ecosystem C cycling. / De Vries, Franciska; Williams, Alex; Stringer, Fiona; Willcocks, Robert; McEwing, Rosie; Langridge, Holly; Straathof, Angela.
In: New Phytologist, 2019.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Harvard
APA
Vancouver
Author
Bibtex
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
T1 - Changes in root exudate induced respiration reveal a novel mechanism through which drought affects ecosystem C cycling
AU - De Vries, Franciska
AU - Williams, Alex
AU - Stringer, Fiona
AU - Willcocks, Robert
AU - McEwing, Rosie
AU - Langridge, Holly
AU - Straathof, Angela
PY - 2019
Y1 - 2019
N2 - 1) Root exudates play an important role in ecosystem response to climate change, but the functional consequences of drought-induced changes in the quality of root exudates are unknown. Here, we addressed this knowledge gap in a unique experimental approach.2) We subjected two common grassland species that differ widely in their growth strategies and root systems, the grass Holcus lanatus and the forb Rumex acetosa, to two weeks of drought. We collected root exudates and soils at the end of the drought and after two weeks of recovery, and re-added all root exudates to all soils in a fully reciprocal set up to measure root exudate induced respiration.3) We found that soil treatment was unimportant for determining root exudate induced respiration. In contrast, root exudates collected from plants that had experienced drought clearly triggered more soil respiration than exudates from undroughted plants. Importantly, this increased respiration compensated for the lower rates of root exudation in droughted plants.4) Our findings reveal a novel mechanism through which drought can continue to affect ecosystem carbon cycling, and a potential plant strategy to facilitate regrowth through stimulating microbial activity. These findings have important implications for understanding plant and ecosystem response to drought.
AB - 1) Root exudates play an important role in ecosystem response to climate change, but the functional consequences of drought-induced changes in the quality of root exudates are unknown. Here, we addressed this knowledge gap in a unique experimental approach.2) We subjected two common grassland species that differ widely in their growth strategies and root systems, the grass Holcus lanatus and the forb Rumex acetosa, to two weeks of drought. We collected root exudates and soils at the end of the drought and after two weeks of recovery, and re-added all root exudates to all soils in a fully reciprocal set up to measure root exudate induced respiration.3) We found that soil treatment was unimportant for determining root exudate induced respiration. In contrast, root exudates collected from plants that had experienced drought clearly triggered more soil respiration than exudates from undroughted plants. Importantly, this increased respiration compensated for the lower rates of root exudation in droughted plants.4) Our findings reveal a novel mechanism through which drought can continue to affect ecosystem carbon cycling, and a potential plant strategy to facilitate regrowth through stimulating microbial activity. These findings have important implications for understanding plant and ecosystem response to drought.
KW - root exudate
KW - climate change
KW - soil fungi
KW - soil bacteria
KW - root traits
KW - drought
KW - carbon
KW - Plant-soil interactions
U2 - 10.1111/nph.16001
DO - 10.1111/nph.16001
M3 - Article
JO - New Phytologist (Print)
JF - New Phytologist (Print)
SN - 1469-8137
ER -