Distribution of microbial biomass across the rhizosphere of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in soils

Abstract

The microbial activity at the soil-root interface (rhizosphere) of barley was examined using a rhizobox system. In this system, the soil was placed in several compartments separated from each other by a 500-mesh nylon cloth. Plants were grown in the central compartment and after a 2-month growing period the roots were still confined to this compartment. The soil from each compartment was then analyzed for ATP, NO3 /−, total N, total C and CO2 production. The increase in ATP concentration was found in a range of 4 mm around the roots. The ATP content and CO2 production across the rhizosphere were correlated in all the soils used, but changes in NO3 − were not correlated with ATP changes. The range of NO3 − change was wider than that of the ATP change, indicating that NO3 − production is not influenced by the biological activity in the rhizosphere.