Live Roots Research Articles

Dual Fumigant and Herbicide Use Optimizes Replanting Preparation in a Virus- and Nematode-Affected Vineyard

Summary Goal: An exploratory study evaluated best-management techniques for replanting a commercial vineyard suffering from both a high incidence of Grapevine leafroll associated virus-3 and high densities of northern root-knot nematode ( Meloidogyne hapla ). The grower had two goals: to reduce the density of plant-parasitic nematodes, which can delay establishment of young vines, using a pre-plant fumigant, and to reduce survival of virus-infected vine tissue by applying an herbicide to the foliage prior to vine removal. Key Findings: Fall-applied metam sodium reduced densities of M. hapla in the following growing season. Its herbicidal properties also resulted in high root mortality. In cases where vines survived, only a few shoots (and suckers) emerged, displaying typical morphology. Fall-applied foliar glyphosate significantly reduced shoot and sucker regrowth, but did not kill root tissue. In the few instances where shoots and suckers grew the following spring, that tissue expressed typical symptoms of glyphosate phytotoxicity. While low rates of abnormal growth would eliminate much of the aerial reservoir of virus, the presence of live roots indicates that rogue vines and living root debris could contribute to infection of new, virus-free planting stock. Combining fumigant and foliar glyphosate was additive: nematode control, root mortality, and a lack of healthy shoot/crown sucker regrowth. Impact and Significance: This preliminary work showed that the combination of fall fumigation and foliar glyphosate application reduced nematode populations and vine survival. In situations where plant-parasitic nematodes are the sole issue facing replanting, fumigation alone suffices. Where virus alone is the impetus for replanting, fall-applied foliar glyphosate may provide sufficient overall vine mortality, with a caveat of low root mortality and its attendant risk of root-feeding vectors spreading the virus to new planting stock.

Depth Distributions of Belowground Production, Biomass and Decomposition in Restored Tallgrass Prairie

Grasslands store large stocks of soil organic carbon (SOC) in the subsoil, but our knowledge of belowground processes becomes less robust with depth. Vertically explicit SOC models typically assume that the depth distribution of belowground production follows the depth distribution of belowground biomass, but this assumption has not been tested. In addition to the effects of soil temperature and moisture on decomposition, some vertically explicit SOC models implement an intrinsic decrease in belowground decomposition with depth, yet this effect has rarely been observed empirically. We simultaneously measured the depth distributions of belowground biomass, production, and litter decomposition to assess whether belowground biomass depth distributions were suitable predictors of belowground production and whether belowground decomposition decreased with soil profile depth. We found that live and total (live + dead) belowground biomass was distributed relatively more shallowly than total belowground production, and thus total belowground biomass was a biased predictor of the vertical distribution of belowground production. The depth distribution of live roots < 2 mm in diameter was found to be the best predictor of total belowground production depth distribution. Using an intact decay core method, we found that belowground litter decomposition decreased by 49% from 0–10 to 30–40 cm depth, and model-simulated effects of soil temperature and moisture accounted for only 9% of the observed decrease with depth. Vertically explicit SOC models can be improved with more accurate empirical belowground production depth distribution estimates, but depth-specific decomposition rates currently implemented in SOC models are necessary to explain observed decreases in belowground litter decay with depth.

Belowground carbon sequestration in a mature planted mangroves (Northern Viet Nam)

Abstract Mangroves play a key role in carbon sequestration along tropical and subtropical coastlines, mainly as a result of their high primary productivity and the anoxic character of their soils, in which organic matter decay processes are slow. Unfortunately, these forests are disappearing worldwide, notably due to aquaculture and the need for space on the shoreline. The mangrove area in Viet Nam decreased substantially until late 90’s, which was a concern for the Vietnamese government. Then, replantation programs were developed in order to protect the shoreline against the erosion; like in northern Viet Nam, where monospecific stands were planted from the mid 90’s. Within this context, our objectives were to determine carbon stocks and carbon burial rates in the soil of a 18 years old Kandelia obovata (Sheue, Lui & Yong) mangrove forest. Three plots were set up in the planted mangroves and three in adjacent bare land (without any mangrove) at the mouth of Red River. Three geo-slicers up to 100 cm depth were taken in each plot; and in each core, ten soil samples were collected with a 10 cm depth interval. Later on, dead and live roots were sorted. Carbon contents in soils and in roots were determined using the Walkley-Black method and loss on ignition (LOI) method, respectively. Then, the total belowground carbon sequestration was estimated. There was a depth related distribution of organic carbon in soil with the highest concentrations measured between 20 and 60 cm depth. Accumulated carbon up to depth of 100 cm in soil and roots of the planted K. obovata were 146.78 ± 3.87 Mg OC ha −1 and 12.67 ± 0.14 Mg OC ha −1 , respectively. The value was 87.59 ± 1.08 Mg OC ha −1 for the adjacent bare land. Consequently, the mean carbon burial rate for this system was approximately 6.94 Mg OC ha −1 yr −1 , which is higher than most of the mangroves and may be related to a low export of the net primary productivity or most likely to a high sedimentation rate. These results were compared with previously published results on carbon stocks in younger planted forests of the same species in the same region, a positive and linear relationship was determined between the age of the planted stand and the belowground carbon stocks.

Carbon Accumulation in Neotropical Dry Secondary Forests: The Roles of Forest Age and Tree Dominance and Diversity

Tropical secondary forests are important sinks for atmospheric carbon, yet C uptake and accumulation rates are highly uncertain, and the mechanisms poorly understood. We evaluated the recovery of C stocks in four pools (aboveground biomass, litter, roots and topsoil) during dry forest regrowth by combining a space for time replacement (that is, a chronosequence) with a repeated measurements approach (that is, a resampling). We fit nonlinear models to chronosequence data to test whether forest age could explain differences in C stocks across sites, and to changes in aboveground biomass calculated from resampling over two 3-year periods, to test the predictive potential of forest age. We combined data from both approaches into structural equation models (SEM) to assess forest age and tree community attributes (diversity and dominance) as drivers of C stocks and changes in aboveground biomass. Forest age explained differences across sites in C stocks for aboveground biomass, litter and live roots, but not for the remaining pools. Observed C stock changes in aboveground biomass were poorly predicted by forest age. SEM revealed that aboveground biomass C was consistently and positively related to forest age and to the community weighted mean of maximum tree height (H max CWM), but not to tree diversity. Observed C stock changes were related only to H max CWM, although not consistently across the two 3-year periods. Our results highlight that the chronosequence approach can yield reasonable insights into long-term C accumulation trends, but erroneous estimates of C change over specific time periods. They also show that, in addition to age, dominance by tall statured species, but not tree species diversity, plays a significant role in C accumulation.

Cytokinins: A key player in determining differences in patterns of canopy senescence in Stay-Green and Fast Dry-Down sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.) hybrids

Leaf senescence during grain filling can reduce crop yield. We studied, under field conditions and during grain-filling, the association between leaf cytokinin levels and the onset of leaf senescence in sunflower hybrids of contrasting canopy senescence patterns (Paraiso75, stay-green [SG] and Paraiso65, fast dry down [FDD]). At crop level, dynamics of live root length density (LRLD) and green leaf area index (GLAI) were followed, while at leaf level dynamics of total chlorophyll content, trans-Zeatin content, net photosynthesis and PSII quantum yield, were followed in leaf positions 17, 20, 22 and 24. Responses of these leaf variables to exogenous cytokinin applications to leaves at position 17 were also followed. SG exhibited greater (p < 0.05) LRLD and GLAI values at anthesis. In both hybrids, LRLD began to fall before GLAI. All variables decreased earlier (p < 0.05) in FDD. Initial leaf levels of trans-Zeatin were three times higher (p < 0.05) in SG. Exogenous cytokinin applications maintained leaf-level variables. These are the first results showing associations between LRLD dynamics with the dynamics of leaf cytokinin levels and changes in indicators of leaf functionality. Also, this is the first study in which estimates are made of cytokinin thresholds below which leaf senescence begins in two hybrids of contrasting canopy senescence patterns. These advances in the understanding, at both crop and leaf levels, of the controls and consequences of SG during grain filling, a trait known to improve crop water uptake under drought and increase biomass accumulation during grain filling, provide support for breeding efforts aimed at profiting from this trait to increase crop yields.

The Policy of Modern Malay Residential Development Area in Siak Sri Indrapura, Riau Province

Malay Riau culture is the root of life for measure point and rules in the developmentsettlement on Siak Sri Indrapura City. The settlement in Siak Sri Indrapura City ischaracterized by the activity of the traditional community. However, the city developmentand the lack of government policy support threatening the sustainability of traditionalsettlements as well as Malay culture. This study aims to give the recommendation about theconcept of development of the heritage settlements in Siak. The research method used isboth qualitative and quantitative analysis through the backlog, layout, and internal-externalanalysis. The analysis results point out that the policy of modern Malay residential areadevelopment is urgently needed to develop and protect the heritage settlements in Siak SriIndrapura City. The appropriate policies is by improving and maintaining the values of Malaycultural heritage in residential building and build an integrated transportation network toincrease the functional values as a residence, economic, and tourism.

The root of the problem: Direct influence of riparian vegetation on estimation of stream ecosystem metabolic rates

AbstractAbundant living roots can be found in some streams and other shallow marine and freshwater habitats. A reach of a small Brazilian forested stream had 28% cover by live roots and exhibited diurnal trends in dissolved oxygen that could be attributed to gross primary production, but we hypothesized that activity of riparian tree roots in the channel caused this pattern. During sunny periods, trees transpire deoxygenated water from roots to the canopy but not in the dark, resulting in diurnal cycles of dissolved oxygen. Whole‐stream shading experiments showed that photosynthesis in the stream is not responsible for the pattern. Sealed chamber measurements showed living roots of riparian vegetation had substantial respiratory activity and ammonium and nitrate uptake, and rates per unit area were greater than sand and less than silt (the other two dominant substrata), indicating roots can substantially alter in‐stream biogeochemistry.

Short-term effects of biochar on grapevine fine root dynamics and arbuscular mycorrhizae production

Application of biochar to the soil is globally recognised as a means to improve soil structure and fertility, increase carbon sequestration, enhance crop production and mitigate climate change. However, although the fine root system is fundamental for plant growth, crop productivity, carbon and nutrient cycling, little is known about the effect of biochar on plant fine roots. This study, conducted in a Montepulciano (Vitis vinifera L.) vineyard, was aimed at investigating the impact of biochar application (at the rate of 10tha−1) on soil chemical and physical properties, fine root dynamics and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) production during a one-year sampling period. To this aim, seasonal variation of fine root mass, length and diameter was measured by the sequential coring technique, whereas fine root annual production was calculated by minimum-maximum procedure and turnover rate of live roots by maximum standing biomass. For AMF annual production, in-growth mesh bags were used to measure glomalin as quantitative indicator of mycorrhizae presence. Results showed that biochar significantly increased organic carbon (20.7%), available ammonium (84.4%), and available water content of the soil (11.8%), while it also promoted the formation of the large fraction of macro aggregates (ø>2mm; 3.1% control; 5.5% treated). Cation exchange capacity, pH, total nitrogen content, and total and available phosphorus content remained unaffected. Immediately after biochar soil amendment, while fine root length remained unchanged, a significant increase in fine root biomass was measured resulting in a higher mean annual biomass (8.56gm−2 control; 13.34gm−2 treated), annual production (8.71gm−2 control; 12.7gm−2 treated) and lifespan (as evidenced by a lower turnover rate; 1.02 yr−1 control; 0.95 yr−1 treated). Moreover, the increase of fine root biomass resulted to be associated with radial growth since mean fine root diameter was significantly higher in biochar-treated plants (0.56mm) than in control plants (0.46mm). Biochar had no significant effect on the annual production of AMF. The results of the present study show that the improvements of soil chemical and physical features due to biochar application have an immediate effect on fine root dynamics and morphology. Furthermore, the increase of fine root biomass is mainly due to radial growth and occurs during the water shortage period, supporting fruit setting and ripening in grapevine plants.

Ecosystem carbon density and allocation across a chronosequence of longleaf pine forests.

Forests can partially offset greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to climate change mitigation, mainly through increases in live biomass. We quantified carbon (C) density in 20 managed longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) forests ranging in age from 5 to 118years located across the southeastern United States and estimated above- and belowground C trajectories. Ecosystem C stock (all pools including soil C) and aboveground live tree C increased nonlinearly with stand age and the modeled asymptotic maxima were 168 Mg C/ha and 80 Mg C/ha, respectively. Accumulation of ecosystem C with stand age was driven mainly by increases in aboveground live tree C, which ranged from <1 Mg C/ha to 74 Mg C/ha and comprised <1% to 39% of ecosystem C. Live root C (sum of below-stump C, ground penetrating radar measurement of lateral root C, and live fine root C) increased with stand age and represented 4-22% of ecosystem C. Soil C was related to site index, but not to stand age, and made up 39-92% of ecosystem C. Live understory C, forest floor C, downed dead wood C, and standing dead wood C were small fractions of ecosystem C in these frequently burned stands. Stand age and site index accounted for 76% of the variation in ecosystem C among stands. The mean root-to-shoot ratio calculated as the average across all stands (excluding the grass-stage stand) was 0.54 (standard deviation of 0.19) and higher than reports for other conifers. Long-term accumulation of live tree C, combined with the larger role of belowground accumulation of lateral root C than in other forest types, indicates a role of longleaf pine forests in providing disturbance-resistant C storage that can balance the more rapid C accumulation and C removal associated with more intensively managed forests. Although other managed southern pine systems sequester more C over the short-term, we suggest that longleaf pine forests can play a meaningful role in regional forest C management.

Корень всей нравственной жизни человека (моральная философия Владимира Соловьева и проблема стыда)

Корень всей нравственной жизни человека (моральная философия Владимира Соловьева и проблема стыда)

Short‐term incorporation of freshly fixed plant carbon into the soil animal food web: field study in a spruce forest

AbstractWe analyzed the dynamics of the short‐term incorporation of recently fixed carbon into the below‐ground food web in a boreal forest. Five young spruce trees (Picea abies) were pulse‐labeled with13CO2and the isotopic label was traced in soil invertebrates during 5 weeks. The freshly fixed plant carbon quickly entered both litter‐located and soil‐located compartments of the detrital food web. Among invertebrates inhabiting the mineral soil layers, a trophic link to the root‐derived C was most pronounced in species with higherδ15N values, suggesting this energy source to be more important in deeper mineral soil horizons. The label appeared faster in saprophagous animals than in predators (the median time lag after labeling was 6 and 12 days, respectively), but the difference was not significant. The label was recovered in 15 of 38 species of saprophagous animals and in 20 of 63 species of predators. Among saprophages, the frequency and intensity of the label was relatively high in endogeic collembolans and in bibionid larvae, but earthworms and enchytraeids were not labeled. Several groups of predators, lithobiid centipedes in particular, quickly acquired the root‐derived carbon, possibly indicating the feeding on live roots or mycorrhizal mycelium. In total, only 35 % of species or genera examined acquired the label. This suggests that majority of invertebrate taxa in the decomposer food web are unlikely to depend heavily on freshly fixed plant carbon provided by roots and root‐associated microorganisms.

Vertical distribution of Artemisia halodendron root system in relation to soil properties in Horqin Sandy Land, NE China

Root distribution plays an important role in both vegetation establishment and restoration of degraded land through influencing soil property and vegetation growth. Root distribution at 0~60 cm depth of A. halodendron was investigated in Horqin Sandy Land. Soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (SN) concentration as well as carbon and nitrogen in root biomass and necromass were measured. Root length density (RLD) was estimated. Total root biomass, necromass and the RLD at 0~60 cm depth was 172 g/m 2 , 245 g/m 2 , and 368 m/m 2 , respectively. Both biomass and necromass of A. halodendron roots decreased with soil depth, live roots were mainly at 0~20 cm (76% of biomass and 63% of root length), while 73% of the necromass was within 0~30 cm depth. N concentration of roots (biomass and necromass) was about 1.0% and 1.5%, respectively. There were significant differences in SOC concentration between soil layers, but insignificant for SN. Soil C/N ratio decreased with depth ( P A. halodendron efficiency in soil restoration in sandy land.

The clonal root system of balsam poplar in upland sites of Quebec and Alberta.

Balsam poplar seeds are short‐lived and require moist seedbeds soon after they are released to germinate. In addition to sexual reproduction, balsam poplar stands can regenerate clonally by root suckering. The origin of stands will in turn affect their genetic structure and root system architecture, which are poorly understood for upland forest stands. Three stands were hydraulically excavated in Quebec (moist) and Alberta (dry) to determine the origin of trees and to characterize root systems with respect to presence of parental roots and root grafts connections. Clones were identified using single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs), and all stems, roots and root grafts were aged using dendrochronology techniques. All 82 excavated trees were of sucker origin, and four of the six stands contained a single clone. Parental root connections were found between 22% and 25% of excavated trees, and 53% and 48% of trees were linked with a root graft between the same or different clones, in Alberta and Quebec, respectively. Mean distance between trees connected by parental root was significantly lower than the distance between unconnected trees (0.47 ± 0.25 m vs. 3.14 ± 0.15 m and 1.55 ± 0.27 m vs. 4.25 ± 0.13 m) in Alberta and in Quebec, respectively. The excavations also revealed many dead stumps with live roots, maintained through root connections with live trees. This research highlights that balsam poplar growing in upland stands is a clonal species that can maintain relatively high genotypic diversity, with frequent root connections between trees at maturity. Maintaining an extensive root system through root connections increases the chances of a clone surviving when the above ground tree is dead and may also enhance the resilience of balsam poplar stands after disturbance.

Maize and Prairie Root Contributions to Soil CO2 Emissions in the Field

Increasing soil carbon content via agricultural practices not only enhances the production potential of the land, but also counteracts rising atmospheric CO2 levels. When predicting production systems’ effects on soil carbon, quantifying CO2 efflux derived from live roots is of particular importance as it is a through‐flux and does not signify depletion of soil carbon. This field study aimed to measure and compare soil CO2 emissions derived from roots in annual and perennial agroecosystems. We used periodic 48‐hour shading over two growing seasons to estimate root growth‐derived CO2 in continuously grown maize (CC) with grain and 50% stover harvested each year, unfertilized reconstructed tallgrass prairie (P), and the same prairie grown with spring nitrogen fertilization (PF), both which had biomass harvested post‐frost. In CC, P, and PF root‐derived CO2 contributed to 28, 31, and 30% of each crop's respective growing season cumulative CO2 emissions in 2012, and 19, 24, and 28% in 2013, respectively. Season‐cumulative root‐derived CO2 was not proportional to end‐of‐season belowground biomass (BGB): P had nearly twice the BGB of PF, but their cumulative root‐derived fluxes were not significantly different in either year. A significant proportion of soil CO2 emissions is derived from roots, making it a critical process to consider when comparing or modeling soil emissions of cropped or prairie soils. Using BGB alone may not be a useful proxy for estimating root contributions.

Carbon Inputs from Miscanthus Displace Older Soil Organic Carbon Without Inducing Priming

The carbon (C) dynamics of a bioenergy system are key to correctly defining its viability as a sustainable alternative to conventional fossil fuel energy sources. Recent studies have quantified the greenhouse gas mitigation potential of these bioenergy crops, often concluding that C sequestration in soils plays a primary role in offsetting emissions through energy generation. Miscanthus is a particularly promising bioenergy crop and research has shown that soil C stocks can increase by more than 2 t C ha−1 yr−1. In this study, we use a stable isotope (13C) technique to trace the inputs and outputs from soils below a commercial Miscanthus plantation in Lincolnshire, UK, over the first 7 years of growth after conversion from a conventional arable crop. Results suggest that an unchanging total topsoil (0–30 cm) C stock is caused by Miscanthus additions displacing older soil organic matter. Further, using a comparison between bare soil plots (no new Miscanthus inputs) and undisturbed Miscanthus controls, soil respiration was seen to be unaffected through priming by fresh inputs or rhizosphere. The temperature sensitivity of old soil C was also seen to be very similar with and without the presence of live root biomass. Total soil respiration from control plots was dominated by Miscanthus-derived emissions with autotrophic respiration alone accounting for ∼50 % of CO2. Although total soil C stocks did not change significantly over time, the Miscanthus-derived soil C accumulated at a rate of 860 kg C ha−1 yr−1 over the top 30 cm. Ultimately, the results from this study indicate that soil C stocks below Miscanthus plantations do not necessarily increase during the first 7 years.

The hidden half of nature: the microbial roots of life and health

Our world is built on an invisible one we are barely beginning to understand. In The Hidden Half of Nature, geologist David R. Montgomery and biologist Anne Bikle argue that Earth's smallest creatures-microbes-could fundamentally change how we grow food, what we eat and how we practise medicine. The Hidden Half of Nature shares Montgomery and Bikle's efforts to turn a barren patch of ground into a flourishing garden, and Bikle's struggle with cancer. Taking readers deep into the science and history of agriculture and immunology, they show that microbes can provide powerful solutions to the problems plaguing modern agriculture as well as our own bodies. A spellbinding story, The Hidden Half of Nature reveals how we can restore fertility to the land and defeat chronic diseases.

Partitioning of ecosystem respiration of CO2 released during land‐use transition from temperate agricultural grassland to Miscanthus × giganteus

AbstractConversion of large areas of agricultural grassland is inevitable if European and UK domestic production of biomass is to play a significant role in meeting demand. Understanding the impact of these land‐use changes on soil carbon cycling and stocks depends on accurate predictions from well‐parameterized models. Key considerations are cultivation disturbance and the effect of autotrophic root input stimulation on soil carbon decomposition under novel biomass crops. This study presents partitioned parameters from the conversion of semi‐improved grassland to Miscanthus bioenergy production and compares the contribution of autotrophic and heterotrophic respiration to overall ecosystem respiration of CO2 in the first and second years of establishment. Repeated measures of respiration from within and without root exclusion collars were used to produce time‐series model integrations separating live root inputs from decomposition of grass residues ploughed in with cultivation of the new crop. These parameters were then compared to total ecosystem respiration derived from eddy covariance sensors. Average soil surface respiration was 13.4% higher in the second growing season, increasing from 2.9 to 3.29 g CO2‐C m−2 day−1. Total ecosystem respiration followed a similar trend, increasing from 4.07 to 5.4 g CO2‐C m−2 day−1. Heterotrophic respiration from the root exclusion collars was 32.2% lower in the second growing season at 1.20 g CO2‐C m−2 day−1 compared to the previous year at 1.77 g CO2‐C m−2 day−1. Of the total respiration flux over the two‐year time period, aboveground autotrophic respiration plus litter decomposition contributed 38.46% to total ecosystem respiration while belowground autotrophic respiration and stimulation by live root inputs contributed 46.44% to soil surface respiration. This figure is notably higher than mean figures for nonforest soils derived from the literature and demonstrates the importance of crop‐specific parameterization of respiration models.

Reviews and Resources:The Hidden Half of Nature: The Microbial Roots of Life and Health

“The hidden half of nature” refers to the microbial world within us, beneath our feet, and throughout Earth's ecosystems. Readers of this magazine already know the amazing facts about microbial numbers, their ancient origin, their metabolic diversity and many symbioses, and their critical roles in nutrient cycling and human health. But to the public, microbes are enigmatic, menacing (especially as they are discovered in more and more places), and to be eliminated with antibiotics. The news that more cells in our bodies are microbial than human is remarkable but disquieting.

Understorey fine root mass and morphology in the litter and upper soil layers of three Chinese subtropical forests

To quantitatively assess how fine root biomass and necromass of understorey species vary in the litter and upper mineral soil layers. The method combines in situ sampling of the litter layer with sequential coring during the root growth stage in three Chinese subtropical forests: coniferous forest, coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest, and evergreen broad-leaved forest. Approximately 67–74 % of the total fine root mass occurred in the layer of decomposing litter (L2) and that of the top 7.5 cm of the soil (M1). Layer L2 was the preferential horizon for fine root growth, and the thickness of this horizon strongly affected the vertical fine root pattern. In addition, the fine root mass was positively correlated with total N concentration in layers L2 and M1. For all three forest types, most fine roots had diameters <1 mm and clear decreasing trends in specific (mass-based) root length and tip number were observed from the litter layer to the soil and the N concentration of live roots also decreased with depth. Understorey roots show a soil exploitation pattern through which absorptive fine roots are arranged to maximize nutrient acquisition from the litter and upper soil layers and to avoid belowground competition with trees, especially in species-rich forests.

Foraging wireworms are attracted to root-produced volatile aldehydes

Soil-dwelling insects are known to react to chemical cues they encounter in the rhizosphere. Whether wireworms (Coleoptera, Elateridae) use root-emitted volatile organic chemicals to localize their host plant remains, however, poorly understood. Here, we aimed at identifying chemical cues released by barley roots that attract Agriotes sordidus. In a first behavioral experiment, we assessed the ability of wireworms to orient towards live barley roots, using dual-choice olfactometers suitable for belowground insects. Then, we collected the volatile organic compounds (VOC) produced by barley roots using a dynamic head-space sampling approach. VOC were quantified and identified using gas chromatography—mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The odorant blend is composed of four aldehydes, namely hexanal, (E)-hex-2-enal, (E)-non-2-enal, and (E,Z)-nona-2,6-dienal. In a second set of dual-choice bioassays, wireworms were attracted towards a synthetic blend of these four major compounds. However, the synthetic blend was not as attractive as live roots, which is partially explained by the absence of CO2, commonly known as a strong attractant for soil-dwelling insects. While CO2 indicates the presence of living material in the vicinity, we hypothesize that additional VOC inform about the plant suitability. A better understanding of these belowground signals would contribute to the development of new integrated control strategies against wireworms.