Through their influence on microbial processes, carboxylates exuded by roots are key drivers of nutrient acquisition and organic carbon (C) storage in terrestrial ecosystems. However, the simultaneous interactions between environmental factors controlling the production and fates of carboxylates lead to uncertainty in understanding their role in terrestrial ecosystems. Here we suggest a more integrative view which points out that carboxylate-driven processes (metal chelation and formation of organo-mineral associations) can vary according to the soil physicochemical context. We show that variation in soil properties can substantially influence plant production of C surplus and discharge as root exudates. In addition, the control of soil processes (adsorption, complexation, leaching and biodegradation) on carboxylate fates is strongly governed by the physicochemical context. To illustrate this, the first soil scenario we present is characterized by fine-textured and nutrient-rich soils, which leads to a relatively lower root exudation rate but high potential of carboxylate associations with minerals. This soil context is more inclined to contribute to soil C storage. In the second scenario, coarse-textured and nutrient-poor soils lead to higher rates of carboxylate production and higher carboxylate ability to mobilize nutrients through chelation. In this case, the carboxylate-induced mobilization of nutrients is maximized. We wish to emphasize the need to integrate the diversity of soil properties when it comes to propose regenerative agricultural practices that capitalize on the carboxylate-driven soil processes and their related ecological functions, whose potential benefits must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis according to the soil physicochemical context.

通过对微生物过程的影响，根系分泌的羧酸盐是陆地生态系统中养分获取和有机碳 (C) 储存的关键驱动因素。然而，控制羧酸盐的产生和命运的环境因素之间的同时相互作用导致了理解它们在陆地生态系统中的作用的不确定性。在这里，我们提出了一个更综合的观点，指出羧酸盐驱动的过程（金属螯合和有机矿物缔合的形成）可以根据土壤的物理化学环境而变化。我们表明，土壤性质的变化可以显着影响植物产生的碳过剩和作为根系分泌物的排放。此外，控制土壤过程（吸附、络合、羧酸盐命运的浸出和生物降解）在很大程度上受物理化学环境的影响。为了说明这一点，我们提出的第一个土壤情景的特点是质地细腻且营养丰富的土壤，这导致根系渗出率相对较低，但羧酸盐与矿物质的结合潜力很大。这种土壤环境更倾向于有助于土壤碳储存。在第二种情况下，质地粗糙和营养不良的土壤会导致更高的羧酸盐产量和更高的羧酸盐通过螯合调动养分的能力。在这种情况下，羧酸盐诱导的养分动员最大化。