In Tennessee, scientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory conducted a meticulous analysis of the compounds released by plant roots into their surrounding environment. The analysis yielded an abundance of data that can guide research aiming to improve the way we grow energy and food crops.
Researchers have long known that the relationships plants form with microbes like bacteria and fungi can make plants more tolerant of poor growing conditions, such as drought or scant nutrients. As plants grow, they release organic molecules into the soil, a process known as rhizodeposition. This organic matter in turn affects how plants and microorganisms interact with other belowground processes.
ORNL scientists developed a new analytical framework based on metabolomics—the study of small molecules—to systematically characterize plant-derived rhizodeposits. The work produced much data about the diversity and relative amounts of compounds in soils, as described in an article published in Plant, Cell & Environment.
Tags: ORNL, plant roots, Tennessee
Category: Research
