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Spatio-temporal mapping of local soil pH changes induced by roots of lupin and soft-rush

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A Commentary to this article was published on 15 June 2013

Abstract

Aims

The rhizosphere is a dynamic system strongly influenced by root activity. Roots modify the pH of their surrounding soil causing the soil pH to vary as a function of distance from root surface, location along root axes, and root maturity. Non-invasive imaging techniques provide the possibility to capture pH patterns around the roots as they develop.

Methods

We developed a novel fluorescence imaging set up and applied to the root system of two lupin (Lupinus albus L., Lupinus angustifolius L.) and one soft-rush (Juncus effusus L.) species. We grew plants in glass containers filled with soil and equipped with fluorescence sensor foils on the container side walls. We gained highly-resolved data on the spatial distribution of H+ around the roots by taking time-lapse images of the samples over the course of several days.

Results

We showed how the soil pH in the vicinity of roots developed over time to different values from that of the original bulk soil. The soil pH in the immediate vicinity of the root surface varied greatly along the root length, with the most acidic point being at 0.56–3.36 mm behind the root tip. Indications were also found for temporal soil pH changes due to root maturity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study shows that this novel optical fluorescence imaging set up is a powerful tool for studying pH developments around roots in situ.

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Acknowledgments

We acknowledge funding from the German DFG priority program 1315 “Biogeochemical interfaces in soil”, under contract OS 351/1-2. We thank the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research–UFZ in Leipzig, Germany, for providing optical imaging equipment. Also, we thank Jonathan Bridge, formerly University of Sheffield, now at The University of Liverpool, for his comments on the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany

    Nicole Rudolph, Sebastian Voss & Sascha E. Oswald

  2. Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, USA

    Ahmad B. Moradi

  3. Institute of Analytical Chemistry, University of Leipzig, Johannisallee 29, 04103, Leipzig, Germany

    Stefan Nagl

Authors
  1. Nicole Rudolph
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  2. Sebastian Voss
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  3. Ahmad B. Moradi
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  4. Stefan Nagl
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  5. Sascha E. Oswald
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nicole Rudolph.

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Responsible Editor: Hans Lambers.

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Rudolph, N., Voss, S., Moradi, A.B. et al. Spatio-temporal mapping of local soil pH changes induced by roots of lupin and soft-rush. Plant Soil 369, 669–680 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-013-1775-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-013-1775-0

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