Churchland, Carolyn, Weatherall, Andrew
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8413-1539
, Briones, Maria J.I. and Grayston, Sue J.
(2012)
Stable-isotope labeling and probing of recent photosynthates into respired CO2, soil microbes and soil mesofauna using a xylem and phloem stem-injection technique on Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis).
Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 26
(21).
pp. 2493-2501.
Full text not available from this repository.
Abstract
Rationale: Here we report on the successful application of a novel stem-injection stable-isotope-labeling and probing technique in mature trees to trace the spatial and temporal distribution of rhizosphere carbon belowground.
Methods: Three 22-year-old Sitka spruce trees were injected with 6.66 g of 13C-labeled aspartic acid. Over the succeeding 30 days, soil CO2 efflux, phospholipid fatty-acid (PLFA) microbial biomarkers and soil invertebrates (mites, collembolans and enchytraeids) were analyzed along a 50 m transect from each tree to determine the temporal and spatial patterns in the translocation of recently fixed photosynthates belowground.
Results: Soil δ13CO2 values peaked 13–23 days after injection, up to 5 m from the base of the injected tree and was, on average, 3.5‰ enriched in 13C relative to the baseline. Fungal PLFA biomarkers peaked 2–4 days after stem-injection, up to 20 m from the base of the injected tree and were 13C-enriched by up to 50‰. Significant 13C enrichment in mites and enchytraeids occurred 4–6 days after injection (by, on average, 1.5‰).
Conclusions: Stem injection of large trees with 13C-enriched compounds is a successful tool to trace C-translocation belowground. In particular, the significant 13C enrichment of CO2 and enchytraeids near the base of the tree and the significant 13C enrichment of PLFAs up to 20 m away indicate that mature Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) have the capacity to support soil communities over large distances.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Journal / Publication Title: | Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry |
| Publisher: | Wiley |
| ISSN: | 1097-0231 |
| Departments: | Academic Departments > Science, Natural Resources & Outdoor Studies (SNROS) > Forestry and Conservation |
| Depositing User: | Insight Administrator |
| Date Deposited: | 02 Apr 2014 11:09 |
| Last Modified: | 12 Jan 2024 11:02 |
| URI: | https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/1515 |
Share
Share
