Root biomass and exudates link plant diversity with soil bacterial and fungal biomass

Plant diversity has been shown to determine the composition and functioning of soil biota. Although root-derived organic inputs are discussed as the main drivers of soil communities, experimental evidence is scarce. While there is some evidence that higher root biomass at high plant diversity increases substrate availability for soil biota, several studies have speculated that the quantity and diversity of root inputs into the soil, i.e. though root exudates, drive plant diversity effects on soil biota. Here we used a microcosm experiment to study the role of plant species richness on the biomass of soil bacteria and fungi as well as fungal-to-bacterial ratio via root biomass and root exudates. Plant diversity…

• DF
  Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

  Awards: Ei 862/1, FZT 118, FOR 1451, 862/2, Ei 862/3-2, Ei 862/2
• NO
  Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek

  Award: 864.14.006
• DZ
  Deutsches Zentrum für integrative Biodiversitätsforschung Halle-Jena-Leipzig

  Award: FZT 118