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Roots selectively decompose litter to acquire nitrogen and build new soil carbon
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  • Joanna Ridgeway,
  • Jennifer Kane,
  • Ember Morrissey,
  • Hayden Starcher,
  • Edward Brzostek
Joanna Ridgeway
West Virginia University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Jennifer Kane
West Virginia University
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Ember Morrissey
West Virginia University
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Hayden Starcher
West Virginia University
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Edward Brzostek
West Virginia University
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Abstract

Plant-microbe interactions in the rhizosphere shape carbon and nitrogen cycling in soil organic matter (SOM). However, there is conflicting evidence on whether these interactions lead to a net loss or increase of SOM. In part, this conflict is driven by uncertainty in how living roots and microbes alter SOM formation or loss in the field. To address these uncertainties, we traced the fate of isotopically labeled litter into SOM using root and fungal ingrowth cores incubated in a Miscanthus x giganteus field . Roots stimulated litter decomposition, but balanced this loss by transferring carbon into more persistent, aggregate associated SOM. Further, roots selectively mobilized nitrogen from litter without additional carbon release. Overall, our fundings suggest that roots can efficiently mine nitrogen and build persistent soil carbon.
06 Jul 2023Submitted to Ecology Letters
06 Jul 2023Submission Checks Completed
06 Jul 2023Assigned to Editor
06 Jul 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
10 Jul 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
17 Aug 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
22 Aug 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
22 Aug 20231st Revision Received
23 Aug 2023Assigned to Editor
23 Aug 2023Submission Checks Completed
23 Aug 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
14 Sep 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
18 Sep 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
18 Sep 20232nd Revision Received
19 Sep 2023Submission Checks Completed
19 Sep 2023Assigned to Editor
19 Sep 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
02 Oct 2023Editorial Decision: Accept