The Exudation of Surplus Products Links Plant Functional Traits and Plant-Microbial Stoichiometry

The rhizosphere is a hot spot of soil microbial activity and largely fed by root exudation. carbon (C) exudation flux, coupled with plant growth, considered strategy plants to facilitate nutrient uptake. C accompanied release nutrients. Nitrogen (N) phosphorus (P) co-limit the productivity plant-microbial system. Therefore, C:N:P stoichiometry exudates should be linked economies, functional traits (PFT) availability. We aimed identify strongest links in among all components. A total eight grass species (from conservative exploitative) were grown pots under two different C:nutrient conditions for month. As result, wide gradient plant–microbial–soil interactions created. 43 variables plants, exudates, stoichiometry, PFTs evaluated. merged into four groups network analysis, allowing us connections biological meaning these groups. plant–soil shaped N Faster-growing associated lower amounts mineral (and P) solution, inducing stronger competition microorganisms compared slower-growing plants. responded enhancing their use efficiency root:shoot ratio, they reduced losses via Root growth was supported either reallocated foliar reserves or enhanced ammonium uptake, which connected specific leaf area (SLA) availability soil. Rapid flux. rich P relative compounds served surplus metabolic products. exudate combined shape mining. In conclusion, flux its reflected rate constraints high degree reliability. Furthermore, it mediated plant–microbial rhizosphere.