Plant and Soil最新文献

{"title":"Faba bean genetics and crop growth models – progress to date and opportunities for integration","authors":"Troels Wisén Mouritzen, Katharina Hildegard Elisabeth Meurer, Elesandro Bornhofen, Luc Janss, Martin Weih, Stig Uggerhøj Andersen","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07459-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07459-7","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background</h3><p>Faba bean (<i>Vicia faba</i> L.) is a globally adapted protein crop with a high yield potential and efficient nitrogen fixation. A decade ago, it was an orphan crop with limited genetic and genomic resources and little knowledge was available on the genetic basis of agronomic traits. Over the past few years, rapid progress has been made in genetic mapping and genomic prediction. A major remaining question is how to improve the understanding of associations between genes and environmental factors, including water and nutrient uptake and availability.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Scope</h3><p>We review recent progress in faba bean research, including the development of reference genome sequences and genotyping approaches, which has facilitated high-resolution genetic mapping. We anchor QTL from different studies to the same reference genome to provide a current overview of faba bean traits and associated QTL, highlighting robust signals supported by multiple lines of evidence. We then consider the state of the art in faba bean crop growth models (CGMs) and how they could inform future crop improvement in combination with genetic models.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusion</h3><p>Genetic studies based on high-resolution genotype information and multi-location field trials are now providing a basis for genetic dissection of faba bean genotype by environment interactions and for predicting the performance of specific genotypes in unseen environments. Integration of process-based CGMs with genetic modelling could represent an important next step by capturing genotype-specific growth dynamics but await field trial data suited for supporting development of improved faba bean CGMs.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"43 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143889580","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The root cortex of the Poaceae: a diverse, dynamic, and dispensable tissue","authors":"Dylan H. Jones, Kaisa Kajala, Dorota Kawa, Ivan Lopez-Valdivia, Tino Kreszies, Hannah M. Schneider","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07498-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07498-0","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background</h3><p>The root cortex in Poaceae is a diverse, dynamic, and dispensable composite layer of tissue. Early in plant growth, the cortex in Poaceae roots primarily consists of parenchyma cells. However, as the root continues to develop, while encountering varying environmental conditions, the cortex undergoes substantial structural and functional changes. These modifications involve either cell wall modifications or programmed cell death, to form tissues including the endodermis, exodermis, sclerenchyma, and aerenchyma, or to result in cortical senescence. The dynamic spatial architecture of these tissues plays a crucial role in storage, microbial interactions, physical protection, biosynthesis of metabolites, and the radial movement of water, nutrients, and gases, and therefore, biotic and abiotic stress tolerance.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Scope</h3><p>Here, we aim to explore cortical tissues in axial roots of Poaceae and how their capacity for plastic responses to environmental cues underscores their role in plant adaptation and climate resilience. We also highlight key research gaps and opportunities to facilitate our understanding of this composite layer of tissue and its role in plant stress response and rhizosphere interactions.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>Axial root cortical tissues and their capacity for dynamic change are major drivers of adaptation and resilience in the Poaceae. Understanding the function and variability of root cortical tissues has potential to improve plant stress tolerance to a number of abiotic and biotic factors across a range of species and environments. Cortical tissues, and the plasticity thereof, may be useful breeding targets for improved soil resource capture and stress tolerance.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"86 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143889594","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Novel polymeric nanoparticles as nanofertilisers for alkaline iron-deficient conditions","authors":"Simão Pinho, Carla Santos, Tânia Moniz, Andreia Granja, Mafalda Sarraguça, Salette Reis, Maria Rangel, Marta Vasconcelos","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07462-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07462-y","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background and aims</h3><p>Iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) is a nutritional disorder impacting plants and is prevalent in calcareous alkaline soils, corresponding to 30% of the world's arable land. IDC compromises iron uptake in crops such as soybean (<i>Glycine max</i>). To improve the effect of iron fertilisers, we sought to develop a nanotechnology-based intervention using polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with Fe(dmpp)₃.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>Nanoparticles were loaded with a fluorophore to understand their uptake by soybean. Nanoparticles’ physicochemical and release properties were examined. The work comprises a seed soaking study considering untreated plants, and Fe(dmpp)₃ solutions or nanosuspensions (NSs) (10 and 20 µM).</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Plants treated with 20 µM NS showed an improvement in morpho-physiological traits and an increase in relevant gene expression <i>vs</i> control. They reached V1 stage 2.5 days faster and V3 2.8 days faster; had a 26% higher SPAD values at stage V3; developed roots that had 39% higher total fresh weight and shoots that were 26% heavier; and registered a 2.25-fold increase in root <i>IRT1</i> expression and a 3.37-fold increase in leaf <i>ferritin</i> expression. Treatment with 10 µM NS led to a 3.31-fold increase in <i>ferritin</i> expression <i>vs</i> control and a 2.49-fold increase <i>vs</i> Fe(dmpp)₃ solution at 10 µM.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>The results illustrate the potential of NPs as a seed-soaking agent, promoting plant growth, reducing IDC, and activating molecular-level iron availability responses. Notably, this is the first study attempting to monitor the mobility of fluorescent NPs in soybean plants and the first in employing NPs as nanocarriers of Fe(dmpp)₃.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143889581","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mowing enhances the contribution of glomalin over amino sugars to soil organic carbon pool following nitrogen cessation in temperate grasslands","authors":"Yanxia Ma, Huanhuan Cheng, Qiushi Ning, Tianran Sun","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07470-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07470-y","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Aims</h3><p>Glomalin-related soil proteins (GRSP) and amino sugars are key components of soil organic carbon (SOC) and are significantly influenced by nitrogen (N) enrichment. Many regions worldwide are experiencing N deposition cessation due to greenhouse gas emission policies. As a global grassland management practice, mowing impacts soil carbon (C) and nutrient cycling. The effects of N cessation and mowing on GRSP, amino sugars, and their contributions to SOC remain unclear.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>We investigated the individual and interactive effects of a long-term field experiment involving N cessation and mowing treatments on GRSP and amino sugars and their relative contributions to SOC in a temperate grassland.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Both GRSP and amino sugars, along with their relative contributions to SOC, decreased with increasing historical N addition rates and without mowing. This was attributed to persistent effects of historical N addition on soil microbial biomass and acidification, which suppressed GRSP and amino sugars. However, as indicated by the resource stoichiometry and extracellular enzyme activity, N cessation and mowing interactively induced stronger nutrient limitation, exerting diverged effects on GRSP and amino sugars. Specifically, nutrient limitation increased GRSP by 24.15%, while amino sugars increased by 3.57%, altering their relative contributions to SOC.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>Our findings suggest that GRSP is relatively more stable and contributes more to SOC than amino sugars after N cessation, especially under mowing. This study enhances understanding of soil C dynamics in grasslands after N cessation. Results provide a decision-making basis for the adaptive management of grassland ecosystems under the “dual C” strategy goals.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"36 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143884537","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Introducing soybean into maize fields improves responses of maize canopy and root architecture to light and water utilization under different irrigation levels","authors":"Bo Jing, Wenjuan Shi, Tao Chen, Zhongmin Zhai","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07489-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07489-1","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Backgrounds</h3><p>Maize monoculture often leads to suboptimal light and water utilization, restricting productivity. Intercropping with soybean may enhance maize canopy and root traits, but its effectiveness under different irrigation levels remains unclear.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>A two-year randomized block field trial was conducted in Northwestern China, with traditional maize monoculture as the control and maize/soybean intercropping systems introduced. Three irrigation levels (60%, 80%, and 100% of crop evapotranspiration) were set to evaluate maize productivity, canopy and root architecture, and light and water use efficiency under both monoculture and intercropping systems.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Result</h3><p>Results showed that intercropping increased cob length, cob diameter, and 100-grain weight of maize compared to monoculture, economic income of intercropping increased by 7.97% and 17.29% in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The intercropping improved the leaf angle and leaf area index of maize, while also promoting lateral root expansion of maize, leading to greater root dry weight and root length compared to monoculture, especially within the 0–20 cm soil layer. The intercropping enhanced the efficient utilization of light and water resources of maize, as evidenced by higher net photosynthetic rates and maximum photosynthetic quantum efficiency compared to monoculture, as well as greater water productivity. In addition, with increasing irrigation levels, improvements in the canopy, root, and light utilization of maize increased for both monoculture and intercropping, however, total water productivity exhibited a decreasing trend, particularly in intercropping.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>IMS combined with moderate irrigation (80% of crop evapotranspiration) optimized canopy and root coordination, enhancing both light and water use efficiency.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"9 38 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143884563","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Measurement of irrigation management based on canopy-air temperature modeling for corn and wheat crops","authors":"Zhenfeng Yang, Juncang Tian, Zan Ouyang, Huabin Chen, Xinfang Yan","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07428-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07428-0","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background and aims</h3><p>Canopy–air temperature difference (<i>Tc-Ta</i>) information derived from the canopy temperature (<i>Tc</i>) has been shown to be an effective cue for crop soil water stress in past studies attributed to its strong linkage with physiological processes. Nevertheless, a gap exists in how much water should be irrigated rather than just the tendency to cue the need to irrigate in potential irrigation campaign. This study therefore aims to quantify the potential irrigation volume using the <i>Tc-Ta</i> field collection and developed a conceptual model.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>A conceptual model was developed, which is soil water content (SWC) with <i>Tc-Ta</i> similar to the triangle in different daytime periods. Potential irrigation volumes were evaluated basing on the SWC quantified by the conceptual model, in which irrigation scenarios were hypothesised from low to high soil moisture.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>The predicted soil moisture yielded a more pronounced overestimation from the model-based Wet edge function for maize than for wheat at various <i>Tc-Ta</i> thresholds (0, 1, 2), it should be emphasised that both methods showed convincing results (R² ranging from 0.5 to 0.7). Since the daily time response was more pronounced in wheat than in maize, especially for high soil moisture treatments. The errors between the measured and predicted irrigation volume (calculated from the <i>Tc-Ta</i> conceptual model) were less than 25 mm in both hypothetical irrigation scenarios (from low to high SWC) for wheat and maize at varying times of the day. Multiple types of empirical water stress indices (<i>CWSIs</i>) showed weaker potential for indicating the amount of irrigation because of the weak linear relationship between <i>ΔCWSIs</i> and the actual irrigation amounts in the two hypothetical irrigation scenarios. Additionally, Correlation evaluation showed that crop intrinsic factors water status and leaf area index were more correlated with <i>Tc-Ta</i> for both wheat and maize.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>Our results suggest that the worth of <i>Tc-Ta</i> in signaling potential irrigation volume from the developed conceptual model.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"31 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143884562","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Screening of efficient Antimony-oxidizing bacterium Lysinibacillus HC02 and its effect on preventing the absorption and accumulation of Sb in Brassica napus","authors":"Zicong Xiong, Caiyuan Ling, Qian Zhang, Junwei Tang, Jingying Gu, Yuan Su, Weiwei Yang, Chaolan Zhang","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07496-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07496-2","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background and aims</h3><p>The oxidation of antimony (Sb) by rhizosphere microorganisms is regarded as a strategy to mitigate the phytotoxicity of Sb(III). This study aims to isolate a highly efficient Sb-oxidizing bacterium (named HC02) from Sb-contaminated soil and to investigate the bacterium's impact on the growth of <i>Brassica napus</i> under practical soil conditions.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>The oxidative properties of HC02 were assessed in LB liquid medium at a concentration of 0.05 mM. The <i>Brassica napus</i> pot experiment involved inoculating HC02 using two methods: root irrigation treatment (IR02) and root dipping treatment (DR02). The growth of <i>Brassica napus</i>, its Sb content, the chemical properties of the rhizosphere soil, and the chemical forms of Sb present were analyzed.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>The oxidation rate of 0.05 mM Sb(III) by HC02 exceeds 90% within 48 h. HC02 possesses the ability to secrete 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase and indole acetic acid (IAA). The addition of HC02 significantly promoted the growth of <i>Brassica napus</i>. Furthermore, both IR02 and DR02 treatments resulted in a significant reduction of total Sb content in roots, with decreases of 38.7% and 41.6%, respectively. Additionally, these treatments also led to a reduction in Sb(III) content in leaves, with reductions of 7.9% and 20.2%.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>HC02 exhibits a strong oxidizing ability towards Sb(III). The incorporation of HC02 promotes the growth of <i>Brassica napus</i> while effectively preventing the absorption and accumulation of Sb. This research offers a theoretical foundation for the safe utilization of Sb-contaminated soil and the secure production of vegetables.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Graphical Abstract</h3><p><i>• Lysinibacillus</i> HC02 is a new highly efficient antimony-oxidizing bacterium.</p><p><i>•</i> Antimony toxicity of <i>Brassica napus</i> can be mitigate by <i>Lysinibacillus</i> HC02.</p><p><i>•</i> The mechanisms of HC02 regulating absorption and accumulation of Sb in <i>Brassica napus</i> was revealed.</p>\u0000","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"91 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143884556","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Plant morphological and physiological traits are stable in a nitrogen-saturated tropical forest after 18-year nitrogen additions","authors":"Guangcan Yu, Jing Chen, Andi Li, Senhao Wang, Liang Song, Xianmeng Shi, Junhua Yan, Meichen Xu, Yuewei Xue, Xiankai Lu, Wei Zhang, Juan Huang, Qinggong Mao, Juxiu Liu, Qing Ye, Jinhua Mao, Jiangming Mo, Mianhai Zheng","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07484-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07484-6","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background and aims</h3><p>While nitrogen (N) deposition often alters plant functional traits in N-limited ecosystems, its long-term effects in N-saturated forests across various plant types remain unclear.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Method</h3><p>We examined the responses of 15 leaf and 22 root traits in eight species of trees, shrubs, and herbs after 18 years of N addition (control: 0; N50: 50; N100: 100; and N150: 150 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) in an N-saturated tropical forest in southern China.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>The results indicated that N addition had negligible effects on leaf and root traits in trees, shrubs, and herbs. The leaf economics spectrum more effectively differentiated among plant types than the root economics spectrum; however, significant shifts in nutrient acquisition strategies were not observed under the N treatments. Although total leaf phenotypic plasticity remained stable across all plant types, herbs uniquely demonstrated increases and decreases in the integration of leaf and root traits, respectively, at higher N levels. Significant negative correlations between phenotypic plasticity and integration were only observed for the root functional traits of herbs.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusion</h3><p>The results highlight stabilization of above- and underground plant traits under prolonged N addition in tropical N-saturated forests. These findings are essential for improving trait-based predictions of vegetation dynamics in increasingly N-rich ecosystems.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"14 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143880330","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enriched stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in biocrusts unveil their critical roles in mediating ecohydrological processes of drylands","authors":"Yousong Cao, Bo Xiao, Fuhai Sun, Joshua Heitman","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07497-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07497-1","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background and aims</h3><p>Stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopes are sensitive to soil moisture dynamics, making them crucial indicators for tracing ecohydrological cycles within the soil–plant-atmosphere continuum (SPAC). Biocrusts, prevalent in dryland ecosystems, critically regulate soil water balance within the SPAC. However, biocrusts’ ecohydrological functions remain controversial, especially regarding the processes causing water isotope fractionations. Thus, isotope analyses provide a promising approach to clarify the ecohydrological role of biocrusts.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>We collected samples of biocrusts-covered and bare soils over two years, analyzing the dynamics of stable hydrogen (²H) and oxygen (¹⁸O) isotopes within soil water, rainwater, and dew.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>We found that δ²H and δ¹⁸O within surface soil (0–5 cm) sensitively responded to rainfall and air temperature fluctuations. Compared to bare surface soil, biocrust cover enriched δ²H and δ¹⁸O by 7.4‰ and 1.5‰, respectively, indicating intensified soil water fractionations. Similar biocrusts-induced isotope enrichments were observed across the 0–50 cm soil profile, which was simultaneously correlated with elevated soil moisture and temperature. We also found that the majority (86.5%) of unfractionated water in the uppermost biocrusts-covered soil (0–5 cm) was derived from the subsurface 5–10 cm depths, while uppermost bare soil water was mainly derived from 5–20 cm depths.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>Our findings highlight the critical roles of biocrusts in intensifying soil evaporation and non-rainfall water deposition, preventing deep rainwater infiltration, and increasing the contribution of 5–10 cm subsurface water vapor to uppermost soil water, which advance our understanding of biocrusts’ role in ecohydrological processes of drylands.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143884737","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reduced groundwater depth decreases plant diversity but increases plant aboveground biomass allocation in a brackish wetland","authors":"Yangjian He, Mingliang Zhao, Lianjing Wang, Xiaojing Chu, Xiaojie Wang, Peiguang Li, Xiaoshuai Zhang, Weimin Song, Qingju Hao, Yiqi Zhao, Changsheng Jiang, Guangxuan Han","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07482-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07482-8","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background and Aims</h3><p>Plant biomass allocation, often expressed as the root: shoot ratio (RSR), is essential for understanding plant adaptations to environmental changes and global carbon distribution. Changes in groundwater depth driven by climate change can significantly affect biomass allocation in brackish wetland ecosystems. However, the response of the RSR in plant communities to groundwater depth changes remains unclear.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>To address this, we conducted in situ experiments across three groundwater depth gradients (-100 cm, -60 cm, and -20 cm) in a brackish wetland in the Yellow River Delta.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Our results showed that biomass allocation changes in plant communities are primarily influenced by dominant species in the brackish wetland. As groundwater depth decreased from -100 cm to -20 cm, soil electrical conductivity increased, plant diversity declined, and the dominant species shifted from <i>Phragmites australis</i> to <i>Suaeda salsa</i>. Reduced groundwater depth also promoted greater aboveground biomass allocation within plant communities. Compared to the deeper groundwater depths of -100 cm and -60 cm, the shallower groundwater depth of -20 cm was associated with higher soil salinity and nutrient levels, including microbial biomass carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus, which contributed to the increased biomass allocation to aboveground structures in both dominant species and plant communities. Additionally, the increased aboveground biomass allocation with decreasing groundwater depth is related to the reduction in plant diversity and the shift in plant species composition.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusion</h3><p>Our findings confirm that reduced groundwater depth enhances aboveground biomass allocation by increasing soil salinity and nutrients while simultaneously reducing plant diversity in brackish wetland ecosystems, which is consistent with optimal allocation theory. These insights provide a scientific basis for predicting vegetation productivity and developing management strategies for brackish wetlands under future groundwater change scenarios.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"8 11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143880336","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}