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Roots-eye view: using microdialysis and microCT to non-destructively map root nutrient depletion and accumulation zones

Brackin, Richard; Atkinson, Brian S.; Sturrock, Craig J.; Rasmussen, Amanda

Roots-eye view: using microdialysis and microCT to non-destructively map root nutrient depletion and accumulation zones Thumbnail


Authors

Richard Brackin

Brian S. Atkinson



Abstract

Improvement in fertiliser use efficiency is a key aspect for achieving sustainable agriculture in order to minimise costs, greenhouse gas emissions and pollution from nutrient runoff. To optimise root architecture for nutrient uptake and efficiency we need to understand what the roots encounter in their environment. Traditional methods of nutrient sampling such as salt extractions can only be done at the end of an experiment, are impractical for sampling locations precisely and give total nutrient values which can overestimate the nutrients available to the roots. In contrast, microdialysis provides a non-invasive, continuous method for sampling available nutrients in the soil. Here for the first time we have used microCT imaging to position microdialysis probes at known distances from the roots and then measured the available nitrate and ammonium. We found that nitrate accumulated close to roots while ammonium was depleted demonstrating that this combination of complementary techniques provides a unique ability to measure root-available nutrients non-destructively and in almost real-time.

Citation

Brackin, R., Atkinson, B. S., Sturrock, C. J., & Rasmussen, A. (2017). Roots-eye view: using microdialysis and microCT to non-destructively map root nutrient depletion and accumulation zones. Plant, Cell and Environment, 40(12), https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.13072

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Sep 4, 2017
Online Publication Date Oct 23, 2017
Publication Date Dec 1, 2017
Deposit Date Sep 5, 2017
Publicly Available Date Oct 23, 2017
Journal Plant, Cell and Environment
Print ISSN 0140-7791
Electronic ISSN 1365-3040
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 40
Issue 12
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.13072
Keywords microCT; nitrate; ammonium; depletion zones; accumulation zones; microdialysis; soil nutrients
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/964084
Publisher URL http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pce.13072/abstract
Contract Date Sep 5, 2017

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