Root decomposition represents a significant C flux in terrestrial ecosystems. Roots are exposed to a different decomposition environment than aboveground tissues, and few general principles exist regarding the factors controlling rates of root decay. We use a global dataset to explore the relative importance of climate, environmental variables, and litter quality in regulating rates of root decomposition. The parameters that explained the largest amount of variability in root decay were root Ca concentrations and C:N ratios, with a smaller proportion explained by latitude, mean annual temperature, mean annual precipitation, and actual evapotranspiration (AET). Root chemistry and decay rates varied by plant life form (conifer, broadleaf, or graminoid). Conifer roots had the lowest levels of Ca and N, the highest C:N and lignin:N ratios, and decomposed at the slowest rates. In a stepwise multiple linear regression, AET, root Ca, and C:N ratio accounted for approximately 90% of the variability in root decay rates. Root chemistry appeared to be the primary controller of root decomposition, while climate and environmental factors played secondary roles, in contrast to previously established leaf litter decomposition models.

To investigate the mechanisms by which slender oat (Avena barbata Pott ex Link) enhances phenanthrene biodegradation, we analyzed the impacts of root exudates and root debris on phenanthrene biodegradation and degrader community dynamics. Accelerated phenanthrene biodegradation rates occurred in soils amended with slender oat root exudates as well as combined root debris + root exudate as compared with unamended controls. Root exudates significantly enhanced phenanthrene biodegradation in rhizosphere soils, either by increasing contaminant bioavailability and/or increasing microbial population size and activity. A modified most probable number (MPN) method was used to determine quantitative shifts in heterotrophic and phenanthrene degrader communities. During the first 4 to 6 d of treatment, heterotrophic populations increased in all amended soils. Both root debris-amended and exudate-amended soil then maintained larger phenanthrene degrader populations than in control soils later in the experiment after much of the phenanthrene had been utilized. Thus, root amendments had a greater impact over time on phenanthrene degraders than heterotrophs resulting in selective maintenance of degrader populations in amended soils compared with controls.

Enhanced rates of phenanthrene biodegradation were observed in rhizosphere soils (17.2 and 15.5 mg/kg/d for initial and re‐spiked additions, respectively) planted with slender oat (A vena barbata Pott ex Link) compared with unplanted bulk soil controls (12.4 and 10.7 mg/kg/d). Soil microbial populations were characterized using a modified most probable number (MPN) method to determine quantitative shifts in heterotrophic and phenanthrene degrader communities while principal component analysis (PCA) of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) data from isolated phenanthrene degraders was used to identify qualitative differences and degrader community diversity. The average heterotrophic bacterial population over time was about three times larger in rhizosphere soil than in bulk soil while phenanthrene degrading populations increased by as much as an order of magnitude between 24 and 28 days after planting (DAP). Thus, phenanthrene degraders were selectively enriched in rhizosphere soil compared with bulk soil. The greatest selection for degraders occurred during the later stages of plant development from 24 to 32 DAP. A PCA plot of the FAME data from phenanthrene degrader isolates indicated that the rhizosphere degraders were less diverse than bulk soil degraders. These results give us some insight into the mechanisms responsible for enhanced biodegradation and selective degrader enrichment in rhizosphere soils.