Influence of different trap solutions on the determination of root exudates in Lupinus albus L.

Abstract

White lupin is very often used as a model plant for root exudation studies due to its capability to release huge amounts of organic acids and flavonoids. The complex nature of these organic compounds makes not only their analytical determination difficult but also their extraction from soil samples. For these reasons simplified approaches, as hydroponic-based systems are widely used to study the root exudation. Therefore, the composition of a trap solution is crucial to limit artefacts causing over/underestimation of exudation rates and/or a biased molecular composition of the collected compounds. The present study was aimed at assessing the influence of different trap solutions and collection times on the quali- and quantitative root exudation pattern of white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) grown under phosphorus (P) and iron (Fe) deficiency. Our results suggest that, in works aimed at studying root exudation processes, water is the most effective trap solution to collect the exudates like organic acids and flavonoids, especially in short time (e.g. 2 h). For longer times, low concentrations of Ca could be helpful to limit osmotic stress and possible passive leakage and/or diffusion. The use of bacteriostatic compounds as NaN3 and Micropur bias the results, due to interferences either with the metabolism or inhibition of the exudation processes, especially in the case of flavonoids such as quercetin. Also, the use of a pH buffer solution like 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid (MES) should be avoided for its undesired interferences with the release.