Linking rhizosphere processes across scales: Opinion

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  • A. Schnepf
  • A. Carminati
  • M. A. Ahmed
  • M. Ani
  • P. Benard
  • J. Bentz
  • M. Bonkowski
  • M. Knott
  • D. Diehl
  • P. Duddek
  • E. Kröner
  • M. Javaux
  • M. Landl
  • E. Lehndorff
  • E. Lippold
  • A. Lieu
  • E. Oburger
  • W. Otten
  • X. Portell
  • M. Phalempin
  • A. Prechtel
  • R. Schulz
  • J. Vanderborght
  • D. Vetterlein

Purpose: Simultaneously interacting rhizosphere processes determine emergent plant behaviour, including growth, transpiration, nutrient uptake, soil carbon storage and transformation by microorganisms. However, these processes occur on multiple scales, challenging modelling of rhizosphere and plant behaviour. Current advances in modelling and experimental methods open the path to unravel the importance and interconnectedness of those processes across scales. Methods: We present a series of case studies of state-of-the art simulations addressing this multi-scale, multi-process problem from a modelling point of view, as well as from the point of view of integrating newly available rhizosphere data and images. Results: Each case study includes a model that links scales and experimental data to explain and predict spatial and temporal distribution of rhizosphere components. We exemplify the state-of-the-art modelling tools in this field: image-based modelling, pore-scale modelling, continuum scale modelling, and functional-structural plant modelling. We show how to link the pore scale to the continuum scale by homogenisation or by deriving effective physical parameters like viscosity from nano-scale chemical properties. Furthermore, we demonstrate ways of modelling the links between rhizodeposition and plant nutrient uptake or soil microbial activity. Conclusion: Modelling allows to integrate new experimental data across different rhizosphere processes and scales and to explore more variables than is possible with experiments. Described models are tools to test hypotheses and consequently improve our mechanistic understanding of how rhizosphere processes impact plant-scale behaviour. Linking multiple scales and processes including the dynamics of root growth is the logical next step for future research.

Original languageEnglish
JournalPlant and Soil
Number of pages38
ISSN0032-079X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL. This project was carried out in the framework of the priority programme 2089 Rhizosphere spatiotemporal organization-a key to rhizosphere functions funded by the German Research Foundation DFG under the project numbers 403633986, 403635931, 403640293, 403640522, 403641034, 403668613, 403660839, 403670197, 403670844, 403801423, 403803214. This work has partially been funded by the German Research Foundation under Germany’s Excellence Strategy, EXC-2070 – 390732324 – PhenoRob. XP and WO acknowledge funding from the Natural Environment Research Council (NE/S004920/1).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Author(s).

    Research areas

  • Emergent behaviour, Modelling, Rhizosphere, Up- and downscaling

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