Mucilage exudation facilitates root water uptake in dry soils

• Published in: Functional plant biology : FPB Vol. 41; no. 11; pp. 1129 - 1137
• Main Authors: Ahmed, Mutez A, Kroener, Eva, Holz, Maire, Zarebanadkouki, Mohsen, Carminati, Andrea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: CSIRO Publishing 01.01.2014
• Subjects: exudation; hydraulic conductivity; rhizosphere; root pressure; roots; soil water; soil water content; water content; water flow; water uptake

As plant roots take up water and the soil dries, water depletion is expected to occur in the rhizosphere. However, recent experiments showed that the rhizosphere was wetter than the bulk soil during root water uptake. We hypothesise that the increased water content in the rhizosphere was caused by m...