Aims We investigated morphological variations in podzols caused by changes in soil porosity and permeability upon the growth of large tree-roots in a tropical barrier island (Ilha Comprida, Brazil). Methods Soil morphology was described in a continuous lateral sequence of podzols on a 35 m-long cliff. A soil thin section was used to characterize organic matter (OM) accumulation and to estimate soil

Background and aims Rice accumulates higher levels of cadmium (Cd) in grain than other cereals, and hybrid rice varieties cover around half of the total rice area in China. Therefore, understanding the phenotypic and genetic characteristics of Cd accumulation in rice hybrids is vital for food safety. Methods An incomplete diallel cross design was used to analyse the heritability and combining ability

Purpose Grass pea is a legume species with recognized resistance to several diseases and thus important for the improvement of related major legume crops. It is infected by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. pisi (Fop), known as causal agent of pea fusarium wilt. We aim to identify, among grass pea, new sources of resistance against Fop and characterize the detected resistance mechanisms

Aims Cover crop species selection for soybean (Glycine max) production under no-tillage (NT) management may affect soil organic C sequestration by altering the quantity and quality of C inputs, thereby affecting cropping system sustainability. If so, the underlying mechanisms for such regulation are still unclear. Methods We assessed changes in soil C and N fractions at 0-0.1 m depth and soil C stock

Aims To investigate the effects of polystyrene microplastics (PS-beads) on the soil properties, photosynthesis of Flowering Chinese cabbage, the rhizosphere microbial community and their potential correlation in soil with different residues. Methods The influences of PS-beads (PS-MPs, M1, 5 μm; PS-NPs, M2, 70 nm) on the plant photosynthesis and growth parameters, soil dissolved organic matter (DOM)

Aims Agricultural practices often have persistent effects on soil physicochemical properties and soil biota, which can feedback to influence plant performance. We investigated management-induced differences in soil fertility and soil microbiota for their legacy effects on plant nutrient acquisition and crop/weed competition. Methods Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench (sorghum), Ambrosia artemisiifolia (L)

Background The ecological study of root systems lags behind the understanding of the aboveground components of plant communities, mainly due to methodological challenges. As ecological root theory develops complexity, root investigation methods are required to meet higher standards of quantitative and detailed data. Scope Spatial root density distribution of plants represents one of the main features

Purpose To build a more holistic understanding of soil pH change we assessed the synchronised effects of a contrived soil pH change on soil chemistry, vegetation growth and nutrition, and soil faunal abundance and diversity. Methods We established a fifteen year old field experiment with a contrived pH gradient (pH 4.3 to 6.3) and measured the effect on soil chemistry, plant biomass and elemental composition

Aims Soil microbiome roles in agriculture is becoming more and more important. This importance is also reflected on the way plants are seen: complex organisms formed by the plant itself plus the microbes inhabiting its tissues, including the ones on the surface of every organ and the ones adhered or in proximity to the roots. In addition, as already demonstrated, the microbial community associated

Background and aims It is known that nitrogen (N) input modulates the rhizosphere priming effect (RPE); however, the magnitude and driving mechanisms of priming under increasing rates of fertilizer application remain unclear. Methods 15N-urea (control, 75 (N75), 150 (N150), 225 (N225), and 300 (N300) kg N ha−1) was applied to a plant (maize)-soil (rice paddy) system and the RPE was monitored during

Background and aim Plant pathogenic and mycotoxin-producing Fusarium species are globally widespread and lead to large annual yield losses in maize production (ecosystem disservice). Systems with reduced tillage and mulching are particularly under threat. In the present study, the bioregulatory performance (ecosystem service) of the common earthworm species Lumbricus terrestris was analysed regarding

Background and aims Graminoid-dominated wetlands have been subjected to widespread shrub encroachment, yet the effect of this shift in species composition on litter decomposition remains unclear, especially in the standing-dead stage. Methods We collected labile (Deyeuxia angustifolia) and recalcitrant (Carex schmidtii) graminoid leaf litter from a freshwater wetland in northeast China, and used the

Aims Free-living diazotrophs play a critical role in nitrogen (N) supply to ecosystems. Land-use change and plant rhizosphere are two important factors influencing diazotroph populations, but their relative strength in determining the soil diazotrophic community is still unclear, especially in acidic soils. Methods One natural vegetation (the dominant species is green foxtail) and three agricultural

Aims Deposition of urine and dung is a key mechanism by which herbivores influence the nutrient cycling of terrestrial ecosystems. Yet, little is known about the roles of urine, dung and their mixtures in regulating the plant and soil carbon:nitrogen:phosphorus (C:N:P) stoichiometry and their interactions. Methods We explored how different excrement types (urine, dung and their mixtures) and supply

Background For more than a century, crop N nutrition research has primarily focused on inorganic N (IN) dynamics, building the traditional model that agricultural plants predominantly take up N in the form of NO3− and NH4+. However, results reported in the ecological and agricultural literature suggest that the traditional model of plant N nutrition is oversimplified. Scope We examine the role of organic

Aims Aboveground plant litter inputs are important sources of soil carbon (C). We aimed to establish how experimentally altered litter inputs affect soil C to 1-m depth across different ecosystems, and over different timeframes. Methods We performed a meta-analysis of 237 studies across 248 sites worldwide to assess the influence of treatment magnitude, treatment duration, initial soil C content, and

Aims The pea seeds (Pisum sativum) hosts a complex microbial community that is exposed to environmental constraints modulated by biotic, abiotic and anthropogenic factors. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of geographical origins on the composition of the microbial communities associated with pea seeds from storage locations in different countries. These seeds are used by Roquette Frères®

Aims Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) survival was evaluated in the phyllosphere and rhizosphere of 20 crop species, as well as in the rhizosphere of cabbage cultivated in six soil types. Methods The crops aerial parts were inoculated, and the rhizosphere soil was infested with bacterial suspension (107 CFU.mL−1) of 3098C Xcc strain, which is rifampicin-resistant and pathogenic to brassica

Background and aims Plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are among the most important pests in agriculture. Chemical inputs are widely used for their control; however, the negative impact of these agrochemicals on environmental and human health is a current concern. Biological control and interventions on rhizosphere signaling are promising ecofriendly alternatives for managing these pests in the field

Purpose Flotation tailings represent an extremely unfriendly substrate for plant colonization due to toxic metal concentrations and marked macronutrient deficiencies. The perennial grass Miscanthus x giganteus J.M.Greef & Deuter ex Hodk. & Renvoize was successfully cultivated in this infertile substrate for two years. Our aim was to identify composition of its rhizosphere bacterial community and to

Aims Plant residues decomposing within the soil matrix are known to serve as hotspots of N2O production. However, the lack of technical tools for microscale in-situ N2O measurements limits understanding of hotspot functioning. Our aim was to assess performance of microsensor technology for evaluating the temporal patterns of N2O production in immediate vicinity to decomposing plant residues. Methods

Aims Harsh edaphic environments harbor species with different soil affinities. Plant’s responses to specific edaphic constraints may be compromised against responses to prevalent stresses shared with other semi-arid environments. We expect that species with high edaphic affinity may show traits to overcome harsh soil properties, while species with low affinity may respond to environmental constraints

Purpose Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are commonly found in semi-arid ecosystems and complete biological nitrogen (N) fixation, build soil carbon (C) stocks, and increase soil moisture. Biocrusts were recently identified in Florida agroecosystems, and based on traits of semi-arid biocrusts, could contribute to crop growth and soil health. This study determined the influence of biocrusts in a Florida

Aims Drought events can alter the composition of plant and soil communities, and are becoming increasingly common and severe due to climate change. However, how droughts affect plant-soil feedbacks is still poorly understood. Plants accumulate species-specific rhizosphere communities, and droughts may have varying impacts across plant species and soil biota. We therefore tested the hypothesis that

Background and aims Plant-soil feedbacks may determine the long-term success of introduced species. Here we examined plant-soil feedbacks of a globally invasive shrub, Cytisus scoparius (hereafter Cytisus), which associates with multiple guilds of microbial mutualists and dominates harvested Douglas-fir forests in the Pacific Northwest. Methods We studied Cytisus root nodulation, mycorrhizal colonization

Aims Intercropping promoted land productivity and be performed worldwide. This study aimed to assess the effect of intercropping on soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and its nitrogen (N) regulation. Methods The potato was monocropped and intercropped with maize under four N levels (0, 62.5, 125 and 187.5 kg ha−1 for N0, N1, N2 and N3, respectively) in a fixed plot experiment from 2014 in subtropical

Purpose We investigated how the C flow from plants to microorganisms varies throughout the year in a temperate grassland. Additionally, we investigated how the C flow relates to saprotrophic activity and vegetation changes. Methods In situ stable isotope pulse labelling (13CO2) was employed to estimate the flow of recently plant-derived C to soil microorganisms by using signature fatty acids. Bacterial

Purpose Stable isotope tracer experiments provide a powerful tool for understanding plant root distributions, resource uptake, niche partitioning and water cycling. Plant water is typically collected from pre-transpiring tissues to avoid the effects of evaporative isotope enrichment at the leaf surface, but extracting water from these plant samples is difficult and expensive. The purpose of this study

Background and aims Neptunia amplexicaulis, endemic to Central Queensland (Australia), is one of the strongest selenium (Se) hyperaccumulators known globally, capable of accumulating up to 13 600 µg Se g− 1 in its leaves. This work aimed to elucidate root foraging in response to Se in N. amplexicaulis applied in two different chemical forms and concentrations compared to the sympatric non-accumulator

Background and Aim Success in agronomic biofortification of maize and wheat is highly variable. This study aimed to elucidate the differences in uptake and translocation of foliar-applied zinc (Zn) in maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using different experimental approaches. Methods Old leaves of plants cultured with low or adequate Zn supply in soil were treated with natural Zn

Background and aims Organic matter addition is an important management practice for maintaining soil fertility and the sustainability of artificial ecosystems. However, the effects of different types of organic matter on the microbial community in the perennial plant rhizosphere are not well understood. Methods A pot experiment was conducted to study how soil type and organic inputs influence bacterial

Purpose Cover crops can provide multiple agroecosystem services to crops produced in conservation agriculture systems. South African grain producers in the Mediterranean climate region are reluctant to integrate cover crops in rainfed systems since cover crops replace cash crops leading to financial losses. Using cover crops as fodder can help cover input costs, while providing a range of advantageous

Background and aims Silicon (Si) is known to alleviate aluminum (Al) toxicity in a number of plant species; however, the mechanisms of Si-triggered Al detoxification have not been elucidated, especially in rice (Oryza sativa). We investigated the interactions between Si and Al in root and the role of cell wall polysaccharides in rice resistance to Al. Methods Rice seedlings were grown in 0.5 mM CaCl2

Aims Seed germination is one of the most important processes in plant biology and ecology because it determines the timing and magnitude of seedling emergence events every growing season influencing community dynamics. Our aim was to determine whether polyethylene glycol (PEG) solutions simulate soil water potential accurately and recreate germination responses to soil water availability. Methods In

Background and aims Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) availabilities limit plant productivity, especially in primary succession; however, our understanding of species-specific strategies regarding their allocation and coordination with other functional traits remains limited. Methods Community-weighted mean traits were compared to decipher the ecophysiological mechanisms of forest succession in nine

Aims Pseudomonas koreensis, a subgroup of the P. fluorescens complex, is a potential plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium. This study explored the mechanisms of plant growth promotion by P. koreensis and its potential to induce stress tolerance in tomato. Methods Tomato plants in pots were inoculated with P. koreensis GS and cultured for 60 days. RNA sequencing and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Purpose The aims of this work were (i) to find a soil indicator to predict durum wheat yield response to Zn fertilization, (ii) to compare the effect of various Zn fertilization strategies on wheat yield and Zn biofortification in calcareous Vertisols of southern Spain, and (iii) to assess the effect of these Zn fertilization strategies on crop P uptake (durum and bread wheat). Methods Different Zn

Aims Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) are ubiquitous soil microorganisms playing a vital role in the functioning of agricultural ecosystems. Although AMF are generally considered to have a low host specificity, it has been suggested that modern plant breeding has selected crop genotypes that are more selectively associated with AMF, possibly resulting in modern high yielding varieties (HYV) having

Aims Perennial forage grass production has the potential to improve smallholder livelihoods in the tropics. However, nutrient management is often challenging, especially on infertile sandy soils. This study tested whether typical nutrient management limits the productivity and sustainability of perennial forage grass systems on sandy soils. Methods Nutrient balances were estimated for four fields of

Background and aims Determining the temperature sensitivities of the decomposition rates of leaf litter and fine root is important for predicting the impact of climate warming on above- and belowground carbon (C) cycles in forest ecosystems. However, the responses of leaf and root decomposition rates to temperature have rarely been examined together. Methods Here, we present the results of paired leaf

Aims Plant roots assemble unique microbial communities in rhizosphere, which are critical for plant adapting to natural environment. Given the pivotal importance of plant-microbe interactions, this study was conducted to uncover the assembly of Artemisia annua on root-associated bacterial and fungal communities and their co-occurrence networks. Methods Soil samples were collected from a field experiment

Background and aims Plants can minimize the adverse effects of salinity by modifying morphological and anatomical features. Previous studies showed that endophytic Epichloë bromicola play an important role in improving wild barley (Hordeum brevisubulatum) salinity tolerance. The aim of this work is to understand whether Epichloë endophyte affects the anatomical structures of host H. brevisubulatum

Aims Struvite (MgNH4PO4·6H2O), a low water solubility (<3%) mineral that is increasingly recovered from wastewater treatment plants, has potential to be used as a slow release ammonium phosphate fertilizer, especially when blended with highly water soluble phosphorus (P) fertilizers such as monoammonium phosphate (MAP). Methods Maize and soybean were fertilized using a gradient of struvite substitution

Aims Dicranopteris linearis is a rare earth element (REE), aluminium (Al) and silicon (Si) hyperaccumulator plant which occurs in southern China. To date, there have been no studies on the variation in elemental accumulation among populations of Dicranopteris linearis occurring on REE-enriched and non-REE enriched soils. Methods In total 43 Dicranopteris linearis individuals and the corresponding rhizosphere

Background and aims Ultramafic soils have high metal concentrations, offering a key opportunity to understand if such metals are strong predictors of leaf stoichiometry. This is particularly relevant for tropical forests where large knowledge gaps exist. Methods On the tropical island of Sulawesi, Indonesia, we sampled forests on sand, limestone, mafic and ultramafic soils that present a range of soil

Aims Key functional root traits, including mycorrhizal association and root diameter, can help project ecosystem processes like root turnover and soil carbon sequestration. It is less clear, however, how such traits relate to variations in soil biology and chemistry. Here, we examined the impact of tree species with varied root traits on soil properties and rhizoplane bacterial composition, focusing

Aims Residues of antibiotics such as oxytetracycline (OTC) in soil can affect microbial compositions and activities, thus affecting soil P availability, and consequently plant P uptake and growth. Methods A pot experiment was performed to grow alfalfa in a loess soil with different doses of P (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg kg−1) and OTC (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg kg−1). Plant dry mass, shoot and root P concentrations

Background Volcanic activity alters earth surfaces creating environments where new ecosystems can be established. Just some plants are able to colonize this kind of environment. Low availability of nitrogen and phosphorus have been widely considered to restrict plant colonization on volcanic deposits worldwide. Root adaptations such as associations with mycorrhizal fungi, associations with nitrogen-fixing

Aims Urban ecosystems comprise a range of habitats that support key ecosystem processes that are fundamental for the functioning of their soils. Relatively little is known about how different types of urban greenspaces and settlement ages influence the functioning of these important environments. Methods We evaluated how four types of urban greenspaces (habitat types: natural areas, parks, gardens

Aims Agromining aims to improve the fertility of naturally metal-rich soils by extracting metals, such as nickel (Ni), using hyperaccumulator plants. Ultramafic soils are characterized by low fertility levels, limiting hyperaccumulator yields. Here, we characterize the potential benefits for phytoextraction efficiency of co-cropping a Ni-hyperaccumulator (Odontarrhena chalcidica) and a legume (Vicia

Aims Root tensile tests are often rejected if failure location is outside the middle section of samples. This study aims to identify where and why failure occurs along a root axis, and hence to revisit current approaches to test-validity. Methods Roots from Festuca arundinacea; Lolium multiflorum; Lolium perenne were sampled from field-grown plants. Roots were tensile tested using a universal testing

Aims The theory of ecological stoichiometry mostly builds on studies of natural terrestrial ecosystems, whereas only limited stoichiometry information is available in response to agronomic practices. Methods We designed a greenhouse experiment in order to disentangle the specific role of cover crop identity and soil characteristic in affecting nutrient stoichiometry of a plant-microbe-soil system.

Aims This study investigated maize-soil biota interactions as well as the soil legacy effects of continuous monoculture (CM) on maize performance. Methods We conducted a glasshouse experiment that compared the performance of maize inoculated with living or sterilized soil inocula collected from experimental field plots with cropping histories of 1 to 5 years of continuous maize monoculture, where the

Aims Non-mycorrhizal species such as Banksia (Proteaceae) that depend on root exudates to acquire phosphorus (P) are prominent in south-western Australia, a biodiversity hotspot on severely P-impoverished soils. We investigated the consequences of an exudate-releasing P-mobilising strategy related to control of iron (Fe) acquisition in two Banksia species, B. attenuata R.Br. and B. laricina C. Gardner

Background and aims Harnessing soil microbiomes is a major demand for development of sustainable and productive agriculture. Here we aimed to assess the impact of two different types of organic material amendments in combination with chemical fertilizer on the plant-soil microbiota in maize farming and its link to soil fertility and crop productivity. Methods Soils and roots were collected from a long-term

Aims Methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes from tree stems are still poorly quantified in temperate floodplain forests. Methods Methane and N2O fluxes were repeatedly measured at 0.3, 1.6 and 3.6 m stem height at three sites along a landscape gradient ranging from non-flooded to frequently flooded forest sites. The non-flooded forest was dominated by Fraxinus excelsior and the infrequently and

Aims We determined effects of soil from three habitats differing in physiochemical properties on transgenerational plasticity in diaspore production of the diaspore-polymorphic annual Ceratocarpus arenarius. Methods Production of three disapore morphs and size of F0 plants in a sand desert (S) were evaluated. F1 plants from morphs at soil surface (a) and middle (c) and upper (f) parts of canopy of

Aims The nitrogen-fixing symbiosis fixation between legumes and Rhizobium helps the plant to survive and to compete effectively on nitrogen poor soils. The soil environment attached to the root system is characterized by intense microbial activity. This work aimed to study the diversity of indigenous rhizobia living in the rhizosphere of forage pea in eastern and central Algeria. Methods Bacteria were

Aims The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms by which nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) additions affect plant C:N:P stoichiometry via changes in AMF communities in a Chinese fir plantation. Methods Experimental plots in a 10-year-old Chinese fir plantation were treated with N addition (LN, 30 kg•ha−1•yr−1, and HN, 60 kg•ha−1•yr−1) and P addition (LP, 20 mg•kg−1, and HP, 40 mg•kg−1)