Even flow? Changes of carbon and nitrogen release from pea roots over time

Background and aims Soil nutrient dynamics are affected by root-microbe interactions and plant development. We investigated the influence of plant growth stage and arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) on carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) rhizodeposition and the transfer into the microbial biomass (MB). Methods Pea varieties (Pisum sativum L.) with (Frisson) and without mycorrhiza (P2) were 13C-15N-labelled and harvested at 45, 63, 71, and 95 days after sowing. Mycorrhization, MB, total C, N, 13C, 15N were determined in plant and soil compartments to calculate C and N derived from rhizodeposition (CdfR, NdfR). Results Total CdfR increased until pea maturity, NdfR until end of flowering. Their relative contribution steadily decreased over time, accounting for 4–10% of total plant C and N at harvest. Rhizodeposition contributed between 1 and 6% to MB C and N, although 20% of the rhizodeposits were discovered in the MB. Frisson released more NdfR than P2 but it was not possible to accurately estimate AMF effects on C and N due to differences in biomass partitioning. Conclusions CdfR followed an even flow from early growth until senescence. NdfR flow ceased after flowering possibly due to N relocation within the plant. Rhizodeposits contribute very little to MB in our study.