Unravelling the secrets of the rhizosphere of crops

磷酸盐是作物生长和生产最重要的限制性养分之一。植物对土壤磷酸盐的获取主要依赖于根系增殖加速土壤勘探，以及根系分泌物和根际微生物介导的磷酸盐生物有效性。这方面的核心是需要更好地了解根际复杂的生物地球化学界面。该项目探索了最近开发的无损成像、同位素和代谢技术，以生成一个系统的研究工具，用于跟踪根际相互作用和从宏观尺度到纳米尺度的磷酸盐动态成像。该研究将为提高作物养分利用效率和提高作物产量提供新的契机。

Phosphate is one of the most important limiting nutrients for crop growth and production. Plant acquisition of soil phosphate largely depends on root proliferation to accelerate soil exploration, and on phosphate bioavailability mediated by root exudates and rhizosphere microorganisms. Central to this is the need for a better understanding of the complex biogeochemical interfaces in the rhizosphere. This project explores recently developed non-destructive imaging, isotope, and metabolism techniques to generate a systematic research tool in tracking rhizosphere interactions and imaging phosphate dynamics from macroscale to nanoscale levels. This study will provide new opportunities to improve crop nutrient use efficiency and crop production.