Root carbon flow from an invasive plant to belowground foodwebs

Mark A. Bradford; Michael S. Strickland; Jayna L. DeVore; John C. Maerz

doi:10.1007/s11104-012-1210-y

Treesearch

Root carbon flow from an invasive plant to belowground foodwebs

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Mark A. Bradford, Michael S. Strickland, Jayna L. DeVore, John C. Maerz

Year:

2012

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Southern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-012-1210-y

Source:

Plant Soil

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Download (PDF 422 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/48137.pdf

Abstract

Aims Soil foodwebs are based on plant production. This production enters belowground foodwebs via numerous pathways, with root pathways likely dominating supply. Indeed, root exudation may fuel 30–50 % of belowground activity with photosynthate fixed only hours earlier. Yet we have limited knowledge of root fluxes of recent-photosynthate from invasive plants to belowground foodwebs. Methods Using stable isotopes, we quantify the proportion of recent-photosynthate transferred belowground from the invasive grass Microstegium vimineum A. Camus, a widespread invader of forest understory. Given its minimal root biomass (∼8 % of individual mass), we expected exudation to contribute little to belowground foodwebs. Results Within 2 days of 13C-labeling, we recover ∼15 % of photosynthate carbon in microbial biomass. Recovery in root and dissolved organic carbon pools is consistently low (

Keywords

Detrital foodweb, Soil foodweb, Soil organisms, Exotic species, Microstegium vimineum, Rhizodeposition

Citation

Bradford, Mark A.; Strickland, Michael S.; DeVore, Jayna L.; Maerz, John C. 2012. Root carbon flow from an invasive plant to belowground foodwebs. Plant Soil. 12 p.