Project Detail

Plant functional traits as factors explaining intra- and inter-specific plant-soil feedback across species and genotypes

Name: Plant functional traits as factors explaining intra- and inter-specific plant-soil feedback across species and genotypes
Researchers: Münzbergová Zuzana (researcher)
Hanzelková Věra (member in research team)
Kuťáková Eliška (member in research team)
Florianová Anna (member in research team)
Schnablová Renáta (member in research team)
Dostálek Tomáš (member in research team)
Hadincová Věroslava (member in research team)
Šurinová Mária (member in research team)
Kolaříková (roz. Sýkorová) Zuzana (member in research team)
Provider: GAČR
Number: 20-01813S
Realization from: 2020
Realization to: 2022
Summary: Plant-soil feedback (PSF) is a relationship in which plants affect the soil, which in turn affects the growth of the plants. Despite the increasing recognition of the importance of PSF for species interactions, our ability to predict the type and direction of PSF is still very limited. We aim to obtain mechanistic insights into the determinants of intra-specific and inter-specific PSF at the species and genotype level by linking the results of PSF experiments to wide range of plant functional traits, species phylogeny and changes in soil chemistry and soil biota. The plant functional traits will include traits expected to be directly linked to plant effects on the soil, many of which have not been included in such a comparison before, such as production and composition of root exudates, root growth, nutrient accumulation in plant biomass, decomposition rate and DNA content. The project will provide unique insights into the determinants of PSF and thus uncover an important mechanism structuring the composition of plant communities.

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