Soil sample pooling generates no consistent inference bias: a meta?analysis of 71 plant–soil feedback experiments

There is current debate on how soil sample pooling affects the measurement of plant–soil feedbacks. Several studies have suggested that samples among experimental units reduces variance and can bias estimates However, it unclear whether has resulted in systematic mismeasurement feedbacks literature. Using data from 71 experiments, we tested pairwise feedback direction, magnitude differed treatments. We also altered our understanding abiotic biotic drivers influence Pooling was used 42% examined experiments. Contrary to predictions, did not affect mean effect size or within-experiment variance. Accounting for significantly alter conclude there no evidence systematically biases magnitude, across many studies. Given pool samples, researchers should be aware potential criticisms carefully consider design methods interpretation