Data from: Conservative roots confer a larger microbial carbon pump efficacy than acquisitive roots by regulating microbial life-history strategy
Data files
Jun 02, 2026 version files 40.52 KB
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DATA.xlsx
35.81 KB
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R_code_for_PCA.R
2.20 KB
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README.md
2.51 KB
Abstract
Root activity creates unique microbial hotspots in the rhizosphere by influencing the metabolic activities of surrounding soil microorganisms, profoundly regulating the dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC). However, how root economic strategies affect the formation and accumulation of microbial-derived C (i.e., microbial C pump, MCP) in the rhizosphere by altering the microbial life-history strategies currently remains unclear.
We assessed the microbial necromass C contribution to SOC (MCP efficacy) in the rhizosphere, and examined the impacts of root economic strategies and microbial metabolic traits on the MCP efficacy of 12 coexisting tree species in a subtropical forest.
The results showed that conservative roots drive a larger soil MCP efficacy than acquisitive roots. This observation was mainly attributed to the synchronous relationship between the conservation gradient of root economic strategies and the microbial high-yield strategies. Specifically, soil microbes in the rhizosphere associated with conservative roots feature higher C use efficiency, more rapid growth and turnover rates, lower biomass-specific enzyme activity than those associated with acquisitive roots, indicating that conservative roots support greater microbial necromass production and subsequently higher rhizosphere MCP efficacy.
Our findings demonstrated that different tree species could affect the microbial metabolic traits through their unique root strategies, and this extends to the regulation of soil C dynamics. This highlights the importance of integrating tree root function traits into soil C models in order to accurately assess the soil C sequestration potential.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.5mkkwh7m8
Description of the data and file structure
Files and variables
File: DATA.xlsx
Sheets:
- Table 1 Basic information of 12 coexisting tree species in subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest of Medog, Xizang
- Table 2 Root functional traits
- Table 3 Soil nutrient properties
- Table 4 Microbial necromass data
- Table 5 Microbial physiological characteristics
Variables
- RD, root diameter( mm);
- RNC, root nitrogen concentration(mg N⋅g−1);
- RTD, root tissue density( g⋅cm −3);
- RDMC, root dry matter content(%);
- SRL, specific root length(m⋅g−1);
- MCP efficacy, microbial carbon pump efficacy( %);
- CUE, carbon use efficiency
- MGR, microbial growth rate( μg C g-1 soil day-1);
- MTR, microbial turnover rate( day-1);
- qCO2, respiratory quotient(g CO2-C g-1 MBC day-1);
- MBC, microbial biomass carbon(μg g-1 soil);
- hydrolases, hydrolytic enzyme activity per unit biomass(nmol mg−1 MBC h−1 );
- oxidases, oxidative enzyme per unit biomass( nmol mg−1 MBC h−1);
- DOC: dissolved organic carbon( mg C⋅kg −1);
- SOC: soil organic carbon ( mg C⋅g −1);
- TN, Total Nitrogen (mg N g-1 );
- NO3-, nitrate-N (mg N g-1 );
- NH4+, ammonium-N(mg N g-1 );
- AP, available phosphorus(mg P kg-1);^
- Fungal necromass (μ⋅ g-1);
- Bacterial necromass (μ⋅ g-1);
- Microbial necromass (μ⋅ g-1)
Code
1. Code Purpose
This R script (R_code_for_PCA.R) is used to visualize the distribution patterns of plant root traits and microbial physiological traits, as shown in Figures 2a and 3a.
2. Running Instructions & Data Import
- Data preparation: Select and copy the raw data of plant root traits or microbial physiological traits using
Ctrl/Cmd + C. - Data import: Run the script in the R environment to load the copied clipboard data
Environment requirement: No specific working directory configuration is required for this script. The input data is obtained directly from the system clipboard, and the data format needs to be tab-separated with complete column headers.
After successful data import, execute the subsequent code to complete the distribution analysis and plotting for Fig 2a or 3a.