Early developmental shifts in root exudation profiles of five Zea mays L. genotypes
Early developmental shifts in root exudation profiles of five Zea mays L. genotypes
Root exudates impact soil-plant-microbe interactions and play important roles in ecosystem functioning and plant growth. During early plant development the root rhizosphere may change drastically. For maize (Zea mays L.), one of the world's most important crop species, little is known about root exudation patterns during early plant development. We determined abundance and composition of root exudation among maize genotypes from five inbred lines across three early plant development stages (Emergence, V1–2, and V3–4). We characterized the exudates for non-purgeable organic carbon and performed non-targeted metabolomics with high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Across all genotypes, plant development stage had a significant influence on both abundance and composition of exudates. Exudation rates (mg C per cm2 root area d−1) were highest in the emergence stage and logarithmically decreased with plant development. In the emergence stage, the roots released predominantly sugars (most indicative: glucose and fructose) and the metabolite richness was generally higher than in later stages. Secondary compounds (e.g. phenolics, benzoxazinoids, or mucilage) increased significantly in later development stages. Differences in the composition of exudates between genotypes may be related to their respective development strategies, with genotypes accumulating more biomass releasing relatively more compounds related to root establishment (growth and rhizosphere development, e.g. mucilage, fatty and organic acids) and slower developing genotypes relatively more metabolites related to maintenance and defense (e.g. phenolics). Our results shed light onto the early dynamics of maize root exudation and rhizosphere establishment, over a phenotypical spectrum of genotypes.
Fine root exudates, Maize exudate metabolome, Plant development, Primary root, Rhizodeposition, Seedling emergence
Hafner, Benjamin D.
80dfe241-7e05-476d-bc6e-14df58bfc2eb
Pietz, Olivia
09a99d2c-0f1e-433d-be14-7d8b0e011c0b
King, William L.
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Scharfetter, Jacob B.
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Bauerle, Taryn L.
6abf1d22-38e2-45bc-9e44-de2e128e5349
1 May 2025
Hafner, Benjamin D.
80dfe241-7e05-476d-bc6e-14df58bfc2eb
Pietz, Olivia
09a99d2c-0f1e-433d-be14-7d8b0e011c0b
King, William L.
0bd4328a-34ba-4b9a-bf4e-1442c18c43fc
Scharfetter, Jacob B.
f6a71701-68d8-47ca-9537-865101f6c99e
Bauerle, Taryn L.
6abf1d22-38e2-45bc-9e44-de2e128e5349
Hafner, Benjamin D., Pietz, Olivia, King, William L., Scharfetter, Jacob B. and Bauerle, Taryn L.
(2025)
Early developmental shifts in root exudation profiles of five Zea mays L. genotypes.
Plant Science, 354, [112439].
(doi:10.1016/j.plantsci.2025.112439).
Abstract
Root exudates impact soil-plant-microbe interactions and play important roles in ecosystem functioning and plant growth. During early plant development the root rhizosphere may change drastically. For maize (Zea mays L.), one of the world's most important crop species, little is known about root exudation patterns during early plant development. We determined abundance and composition of root exudation among maize genotypes from five inbred lines across three early plant development stages (Emergence, V1–2, and V3–4). We characterized the exudates for non-purgeable organic carbon and performed non-targeted metabolomics with high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Across all genotypes, plant development stage had a significant influence on both abundance and composition of exudates. Exudation rates (mg C per cm2 root area d−1) were highest in the emergence stage and logarithmically decreased with plant development. In the emergence stage, the roots released predominantly sugars (most indicative: glucose and fructose) and the metabolite richness was generally higher than in later stages. Secondary compounds (e.g. phenolics, benzoxazinoids, or mucilage) increased significantly in later development stages. Differences in the composition of exudates between genotypes may be related to their respective development strategies, with genotypes accumulating more biomass releasing relatively more compounds related to root establishment (growth and rhizosphere development, e.g. mucilage, fatty and organic acids) and slower developing genotypes relatively more metabolites related to maintenance and defense (e.g. phenolics). Our results shed light onto the early dynamics of maize root exudation and rhizosphere establishment, over a phenotypical spectrum of genotypes.
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Published date: 1 May 2025
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Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords:
Fine root exudates, Maize exudate metabolome, Plant development, Primary root, Rhizodeposition, Seedling emergence
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Local EPrints ID: 502746
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/502746
ISSN: 0168-9452
PURE UUID: 94baee32-6fdd-4e96-8489-b954a7d92cfd
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Date deposited: 07 Jul 2025 16:59
Last modified: 22 Aug 2025 02:42
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Author:
Benjamin D. Hafner
Author:
Olivia Pietz
Author:
William L. King
Author:
Jacob B. Scharfetter
Author:
Taryn L. Bauerle
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