Pub Date : 2026-02-11DOI: 10.1007/s11104-026-08355-4
Kris A. de Kreek, Rieta Gols, Johannah M. de Zeeuw, Ilva van Dam, Rob Nijhof, Brigitte S. Noordijk, Marcel Dicke, Karen J. Kloth
Background and aims Aboveground insect herbivory can change the plant rhizosphere and modulate the composition of the soil microbiome. However, it is unclear to what extent these changes in the rhizosphere affect plant resistance to above-ground herbivorous insects, and how these plant-soil feedback (PSF) mechanisms are shaped. Here, we investigated whether herbivore-induced changes in the rhizosphere increase resistance against caterpillars in cabbage, Brassica oleracea , and how intraspecific variation of the host plant, herbivory intensity, and soil type affect PSF outcomes. Methods PSF experiments with rhizosphere-soil transfer were performed for a wild and cultivated B. oleracea , with different densities of the caterpillar Mamestra brassicae , and different soil types. Results We found that caterpillar-induced soil conditioning affected the performance of M. brassicae feeding on the shoot, depending on both intraspecific variation of the host plant and the intensity and duration of herbivory. On wild cabbage, caterpillar-induced PSF positively affected plant resistance to M. brassicae , which needed more than two weeks to become detectable. In contrast, in cultivated cabbage, caterpillar-induced PSF had a neutral to negative effect on plant resistance and did not differ between soil types. The observed negative PSF effect was associated with downregulation of genes involved in jasmonic acid biosynthesis and downstream signalling. Conclusion Overall, we found that natural variation within one plant species can, depending on intensity and duration of herbivory, result in opposite PSF effects with consequences for jasmonic acid-mediated defences.
{"title":"Caterpillar-induced plant-soil feedback affects resistance in wild and cultivated cabbage","authors":"Kris A. de Kreek, Rieta Gols, Johannah M. de Zeeuw, Ilva van Dam, Rob Nijhof, Brigitte S. Noordijk, Marcel Dicke, Karen J. Kloth","doi":"10.1007/s11104-026-08355-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-026-08355-4","url":null,"abstract":"Background and aims Aboveground insect herbivory can change the plant rhizosphere and modulate the composition of the soil microbiome. However, it is unclear to what extent these changes in the rhizosphere affect plant resistance to above-ground herbivorous insects, and how these plant-soil feedback (PSF) mechanisms are shaped. Here, we investigated whether herbivore-induced changes in the rhizosphere increase resistance against caterpillars in cabbage, <jats:italic>Brassica oleracea</jats:italic> , and how intraspecific variation of the host plant, herbivory intensity, and soil type affect PSF outcomes. Methods PSF experiments with rhizosphere-soil transfer were performed for a wild and cultivated <jats:italic>B. oleracea</jats:italic> , with different densities of the caterpillar <jats:italic>Mamestra brassicae</jats:italic> , and different soil types. Results We found that caterpillar-induced soil conditioning affected the performance of <jats:italic>M. brassicae</jats:italic> feeding on the shoot, depending on both intraspecific variation of the host plant and the intensity and duration of herbivory. On wild cabbage, caterpillar-induced PSF positively affected plant resistance to <jats:italic>M. brassicae</jats:italic> , which needed more than two weeks to become detectable. In contrast, in cultivated cabbage, caterpillar-induced PSF had a neutral to negative effect on plant resistance and did not differ between soil types. The observed negative PSF effect was associated with downregulation of genes involved in jasmonic acid biosynthesis and downstream signalling. Conclusion Overall, we found that natural variation within one plant species can, depending on intensity and duration of herbivory, result in opposite PSF effects with consequences for jasmonic acid-mediated defences.","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"94 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146196639","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}
Pub Date : 2026-02-10DOI: 10.1007/s11104-026-08351-8
Imre Cseresnyés, Klára Pokovai, Zoltán Barcza, Ágota Horel, Tibor Zsigmond, Nándor Fodor
Aims This study evaluated the suitability of root electrical capacitance measurements for nondestructive plant phenotyping in a free-air CO 2 enrichment (FACE) experiment. Methods A two-year FACE study was conducted with maize grown under ambient and elevated [CO 2 ], and low and high nitrogen supply in three replicate plots. The saturation root electrical capacitance (C R *) was monitored during the plant growth cycle. Aboveground plant parameters were measured in situ at flowering. Results Capacitance measurements revealed a seasonal pattern in root development with a peak at flowering, and the positive effect of higher nitrogen dose and [CO 2 ] enrichment on plant growth. At anthesis, C R * was significantly ( p < 0.001) and linearly correlated with stem basal area (R 2 : 0.51–0.68), aboveground biomass index (basal area × plant height; R 2 : 0.47–0.62) and leaf chlorophyll concentration (R 2 : 0.40–0.56). However, the best correlation (R 2 : 0.73 and 0.74) was found for plant leaf area, which is closely related to root water uptake, suggesting that the applied current signal penetrated the roots, and that the capacitance method directly measured root status in the field. In addition, C R * at flowering was a reasonable early predictor of maize grain yield (R 2 : 0.58 and 0.64) under our experimental conditions. Conclusions The electrical capacitance method proved to be a practical high-throughput tool for phenotyping not only the root but the whole plant in the field. Being noninvasive, it is particularly beneficial in FACE systems, where destructive sampling and soil disturbance should be minimized. It would also provide cost-effective support for breeding stress-tolerant and climate-resilient crops. Graphical
{"title":"Root electrical capacitance method for the field monitoring of maize response to elevated carbon dioxide concentration","authors":"Imre Cseresnyés, Klára Pokovai, Zoltán Barcza, Ágota Horel, Tibor Zsigmond, Nándor Fodor","doi":"10.1007/s11104-026-08351-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-026-08351-8","url":null,"abstract":"Aims This study evaluated the suitability of root electrical capacitance measurements for nondestructive plant phenotyping in a free-air CO <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> enrichment (FACE) experiment. Methods A two-year FACE study was conducted with maize grown under ambient and elevated [CO <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> ], and low and high nitrogen supply in three replicate plots. The saturation root electrical capacitance (C <jats:sub>R</jats:sub> *) was monitored during the plant growth cycle. Aboveground plant parameters were measured in situ at flowering. Results Capacitance measurements revealed a seasonal pattern in root development with a peak at flowering, and the positive effect of higher nitrogen dose and [CO <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> ] enrichment on plant growth. At anthesis, C <jats:sub>R</jats:sub> * was significantly ( <jats:italic>p</jats:italic> < 0.001) and linearly correlated with stem basal area (R <jats:sup>2</jats:sup> : 0.51–0.68), aboveground biomass index (basal area × plant height; R <jats:sup>2</jats:sup> : 0.47–0.62) and leaf chlorophyll concentration (R <jats:sup>2</jats:sup> : 0.40–0.56). However, the best correlation (R <jats:sup>2</jats:sup> : 0.73 and 0.74) was found for plant leaf area, which is closely related to root water uptake, suggesting that the applied current signal penetrated the roots, and that the capacitance method directly measured root status in the field. In addition, C <jats:sub>R</jats:sub> * at flowering was a reasonable early predictor of maize grain yield (R <jats:sup>2</jats:sup> : 0.58 and 0.64) under our experimental conditions. Conclusions The electrical capacitance method proved to be a practical high-throughput tool for phenotyping not only the root but the whole plant in the field. Being noninvasive, it is particularly beneficial in FACE systems, where destructive sampling and soil disturbance should be minimized. It would also provide cost-effective support for breeding stress-tolerant and climate-resilient crops. Graphical","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"9 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146153639","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}
Pub Date : 2026-02-10DOI: 10.1007/s11104-026-08359-0
Helen Gorges, Stanislav N. Gorb
Aims Seed mucilage plays a crucial role in plant ecology and survival strategies. The mucilage, which has high adhesive forces, can be very effective as defense mechanism against ant-mediated seed predation. Especially harvester ants are known to collect seeds and therefore influence seed dispersal and seed survival. To get a better understanding in ant-mediated seed predation, this study investigates the protective properties of seed mucilage of Plantago ovata and Ocimum basilicum seeds as we hypothesized that the composition of this mucilage influences the protection against ant-mediated dispersal. Methods For this purpose, we performed field experiments with the harvesting ant Messor wasmanni and observed seed survival rates of freshly hydrated and dried-in-contact seeds on two different surfaces. Results The results demonstrate that seeds of P. ovata had a higher resistance to removal by ants (with 90% and 75% seeds left at the experimental site) than those of O. basilicum (with 5% and 0% left at the experimental site) on solid substrates (concrete and stones, respectively) and an overall faster removal of O. basilicum seeds. These findings indicate a better protection of P. ovata seeds against ant-mediated dispersal than of O. basilicum seeds. Conclusions This study provides an insight into species-specific adaptations to seed defense. This can contribute to understand the importance of seed differences and mucilage compositions on seed ecology and plant defense mechanisms with potential implications for plant population dynamics, evolution and industrial and agricultural applications for seed protection.
{"title":"Too sticky to steal: species-specific influence of seed mucilage on ant-mediated dispersal","authors":"Helen Gorges, Stanislav N. Gorb","doi":"10.1007/s11104-026-08359-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-026-08359-0","url":null,"abstract":"Aims Seed mucilage plays a crucial role in plant ecology and survival strategies. The mucilage, which has high adhesive forces, can be very effective as defense mechanism against ant-mediated seed predation. Especially harvester ants are known to collect seeds and therefore influence seed dispersal and seed survival. To get a better understanding in ant-mediated seed predation, this study investigates the protective properties of seed mucilage of <jats:italic>Plantago ovata</jats:italic> and <jats:italic>Ocimum basilicum</jats:italic> seeds as we hypothesized that the composition of this mucilage influences the protection against ant-mediated dispersal. Methods For this purpose, we performed field experiments with the harvesting ant <jats:italic>Messor wasmanni</jats:italic> and observed seed survival rates of freshly hydrated and dried-in-contact seeds on two different surfaces. Results The results demonstrate that seeds of <jats:italic>P. ovata</jats:italic> had a higher resistance to removal by ants (with 90% and 75% seeds left at the experimental site) than those of <jats:italic>O. basilicum</jats:italic> (with 5% and 0% left at the experimental site) on solid substrates (concrete and stones, respectively) and an overall faster removal of <jats:italic>O. basilicum</jats:italic> seeds. These findings indicate a better protection of <jats:italic>P. ovata</jats:italic> seeds against ant-mediated dispersal than of <jats:italic>O. basilicum</jats:italic> seeds. Conclusions This study provides an insight into species-specific adaptations to seed defense. This can contribute to understand the importance of seed differences and mucilage compositions on seed ecology and plant defense mechanisms with potential implications for plant population dynamics, evolution and industrial and agricultural applications for seed protection.","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"32 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146153637","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":"Solidago canadensis alters rhizosphere bacterial communities of Artemisia argyi under warming and nitrogen deposition—invaded rhizospheres become similar to the invader's","authors":"Yong-Feng Wang, Yun-Long Zhang, Ying Li, Guang-Qian Ren, Shan-Shan Qi, Bi-Ying Zhao, Zhi-Cong Dai, Dao-Lin Du","doi":"10.1007/s11104-026-08350-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-026-08350-9","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"51 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146153638","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}
Pub Date : 2026-02-07DOI: 10.1007/s11104-025-08188-7
D. Smith, J. English, D. Guzman, A. J. Wright
Background and aims Urbanization is a stressor that can exacerbate climate change impacts. Urban ecosystems are hotter and drier than their rural counterparts, due to a lack of vegetation and an abundance of impermeable surfaces that characterize cities. Urban greening projects can reverse these trends through microclimate cooling and humidification. Vegetation and aridity gradients have the capacity to modify how neighboring plants interact with one another: plant neighbors may benefit one another through facilitation in hot and dry environments but experience more competition in cooler and more humid areas. We examined how herbaceous plants can ameliorate heat and water stress across an established urban aridity gradient in the greater Los Angeles area. Methods We measured 162 plants at 81 plots in 27 sites across a well-established urban-to-rural gradient. In each plot, we identified two pre-existing focal individuals: we removed the neighboring plants for one of these, and left the community intact around the other. We then measured growth of the two focal plants and placed temperature and humidity sensors near each. We also measured light above and below the canopy and total precipitation. Results We found that across the urban aridity gradient, the hottest sites experienced the most vegetative microclimate amelioration. We also found that neighboring plants had positive effects on growth (facilitation), but only when neighbors also cooled microclimate temperature and decreased microclimate vapor pressure deficit (VPD). Facilitation between neighbors was also greatest at the sites with the least precipitation. Conclusion Previous studies have shown that plants may compete for limited resources but we show that interactions can shift to be more facilitative along an urban aridity gradient. Future work should use this information to augment restoration plans in urban environments.
{"title":"Microclimate and facilitation trade-offs along a Los Angeles urban gradient","authors":"D. Smith, J. English, D. Guzman, A. J. Wright","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-08188-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-08188-7","url":null,"abstract":"Background and aims Urbanization is a stressor that can exacerbate climate change impacts. Urban ecosystems are hotter and drier than their rural counterparts, due to a lack of vegetation and an abundance of impermeable surfaces that characterize cities. Urban greening projects can reverse these trends through microclimate cooling and humidification. Vegetation and aridity gradients have the capacity to modify how neighboring plants interact with one another: plant neighbors may benefit one another through facilitation in hot and dry environments but experience more competition in cooler and more humid areas. We examined how herbaceous plants can ameliorate heat and water stress across an established urban aridity gradient in the greater Los Angeles area. Methods We measured 162 plants at 81 plots in 27 sites across a well-established urban-to-rural gradient. In each plot, we identified two pre-existing focal individuals: we removed the neighboring plants for one of these, and left the community intact around the other. We then measured growth of the two focal plants and placed temperature and humidity sensors near each. We also measured light above and below the canopy and total precipitation. Results We found that across the urban aridity gradient, the hottest sites experienced the most vegetative microclimate amelioration. We also found that neighboring plants had positive effects on growth (facilitation), but only when neighbors also cooled microclimate temperature and decreased microclimate vapor pressure deficit (VPD). Facilitation between neighbors was also greatest at the sites with the least precipitation. Conclusion Previous studies have shown that plants may compete for limited resources but we show that interactions can shift to be more facilitative along an urban aridity gradient. Future work should use this information to augment restoration plans in urban environments.","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"72 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146138823","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}
Pub Date : 2026-02-07DOI: 10.1007/s11104-026-08346-5
Saeed Norouzi, Gholamali Akbari
{"title":"Differential sensitivity and phytoremediation potential of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) cultivars irrigated with urban wastewater effluent","authors":"Saeed Norouzi, Gholamali Akbari","doi":"10.1007/s11104-026-08346-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-026-08346-5","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146138620","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}
Pub Date : 2026-02-06DOI: 10.1007/s11104-026-08343-8
Minerva García-Carmona, Luz Marina Vilca-Taco, José Zúñiga, Fuensanta Caravaca, Antonio Roldán, Lunsden Coaguila, Jorge Mataix-Solera
Background and Aims Wildfires in high-altitude dry shrublands of the Peruvian Andes are increasingly becoming a significant ecological threat, with substantial and potentially persistent impacts on soils. This study investigated how fire affects soil microbial communities and functions beneath two dominant shrub species, Berberis lutea and Parastrephia quadrangularis , which differ in biomass and fuel structure and therefore in the intensity of combustion that their soils are exposed to. We hypothesized that fire would modify microbial community composition, biomass and functional activity, leading to distinct recovery trajectories beneath the two shrub species due to their contrasting fuel characteristics. Methods We conducted a medium-term assessment (3–4 years post-fire) of soil microbial structure and activity using phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA), microbial respiration, microbial biomass carbon and enzyme activities. Results Fire effects on soils were species-specific. Soils beneath P. quadrangularis showed greater potential for bacterial and fungal communities recovery, while those under B. lutea soils were more severely affected, likely due to higher aboveground biomass. Despite these differences, both species experienced a strong and persistent reduction in enzymatic activities, indicating long-lasting impacts on soil functionality. In addition, soil properties such as aggregate stability and water repellency were identified as key factors associated with microbial recovery. Conclusions The results reveal the high vulnerability of Andean dryland soils to wildfire and highlight the role of vegetation type in determining post-fire microbial recovery. Incorporating soil biological indicators into post-fire restoration planning and soil vulnerability assessment may help reduce long-term degradation risks in these fragile high-altitude ecosystems. Graphical
{"title":"Plant species modulates fire-effects and post-fire temporal dynamics on soil microbial communities in Andean dry shrublands (Arequipa, Perú)","authors":"Minerva García-Carmona, Luz Marina Vilca-Taco, José Zúñiga, Fuensanta Caravaca, Antonio Roldán, Lunsden Coaguila, Jorge Mataix-Solera","doi":"10.1007/s11104-026-08343-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-026-08343-8","url":null,"abstract":"Background and Aims Wildfires in high-altitude dry shrublands of the Peruvian Andes are increasingly becoming a significant ecological threat, with substantial and potentially persistent impacts on soils. This study investigated how fire affects soil microbial communities and functions beneath two dominant shrub species, <jats:italic>Berberis lutea</jats:italic> and <jats:italic>Parastrephia quadrangularis</jats:italic> , which differ in biomass and fuel structure and therefore in the intensity of combustion that their soils are exposed to. We hypothesized that fire would modify microbial community composition, biomass and functional activity, leading to distinct recovery trajectories beneath the two shrub species due to their contrasting fuel characteristics. Methods We conducted a medium-term assessment (3–4 years post-fire) of soil microbial structure and activity using phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA), microbial respiration, microbial biomass carbon and enzyme activities. Results Fire effects on soils were species-specific. Soils beneath <jats:italic>P. quadrangularis</jats:italic> showed greater potential for bacterial and fungal communities recovery, while those under <jats:italic>B. lutea</jats:italic> soils were more severely affected, likely due to higher aboveground biomass. Despite these differences, both species experienced a strong and persistent reduction in enzymatic activities, indicating long-lasting impacts on soil functionality. In addition, soil properties such as aggregate stability and water repellency were identified as key factors associated with microbial recovery. Conclusions The results reveal the high vulnerability of Andean dryland soils to wildfire and highlight the role of vegetation type in determining post-fire microbial recovery. Incorporating soil biological indicators into post-fire restoration planning and soil vulnerability assessment may help reduce long-term degradation risks in these fragile high-altitude ecosystems. Graphical","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"43 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146138867","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}
京公网安备 11010802042870号
京ICP备2023020795号-1
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：