Elevated atmospheric CO2 generally improved soluble sugars content in the rhizosphere soil of black locust seedlings under cadmium exposure

Aims Sugars in soils play vital roles in soil aggregation and microbial activity, which is easily affected by environmental factors. Here, we investigated the accumulation of total sugars and monosaccharides in the rhizosphere soil of black locust seedlings exposed to the contamination of elevated atmospheric CO 2 (eCO 2 ) and cadmium (Cd) and its driving factors. Results Under eCO 2 + Cd compared to Cd, glucose, galactose, arabinose, mannose, and xylose concentrations in the rhizosphere soil increased and the increases were significant at 4.5 mg Cd kg −1 ( p