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Background and Aims <p>Root observation windows (RW) installed in the field provide a tool for non-destructive monitoring of root development and rhizosphere processes. However, the highly invasive installation process, which requires cutting soil profiles, may affect plant development and, ultimately, the outcome of the experiments. This study systematically compares plant development with and without the installation of RW.</p> Methods <p>Using the location of a long-term field experiment, the responses of winter wheat to different intensities of tillage, N-fertilization, and use of fungicides were compared for plants grown along root windows and in undisturbed control plots. Sampling was performed during late vegetative growth, six weeks after RW installation, with comparisons of shoot and root biomass, root length, mineral nutritional status, stress-related gene expression, stress metabolites, and the composition of microbial communities reflecting rhizosphere (RH) conditions.</p> Results <p>The presence of RW did not significantly affect most of the parameters analyzed. As an exception, RW plants showed increased foliar concentrations of several nutrients (K, Mg, Ca, Cu, Mn), potentially attributable to reduced inter-plant competition because RW were installed along border rows of the experimental plots. By contrast, N-fertilization intensity and fungicide use affected plant biomass, root growth, and fungal communities. Tillage intensity primarily affected fine-root production, the composition of RH-microbial communities, and physiological stress indicators in leaf tissue.</p> Conclusion <p>The results suggest only a limited influence on performance of winter wheat six weeks after RW installation under the selected experimental conditions, with plant responses and experimental results comparable to undisturbed controls.</p>

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Impact of root observation windows on plant performance, root development, and rhizosphere-microbial communities during late vegetative growth of field-grown winter wheat

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月7日

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  • Loreen Sommermann,
  • Jan Helge Behr,
  • Narges Moradtalab,
  • Saskia Windisch,
  • Soumitra Paul Chowdhury,
  • Michael Rothballer,
  • Ingo Schellenberg,
  • Doreen Babin,
  • Kornelia Smalla,
  • Lorrie Maccario,
  • SØren J. SØrensen,
  • Uwe Ludewig,
  • Jörg Geistlinger,
  • Günter Neumann,
  • Rita Grosch

摘要

Background and Aims

Root observation windows (RW) installed in the field provide a tool for non-destructive monitoring of root development and rhizosphere processes. However, the highly invasive installation process, which requires cutting soil profiles, may affect plant development and, ultimately, the outcome of the experiments. This study systematically compares plant development with and without the installation of RW.

Methods

Using the location of a long-term field experiment, the responses of winter wheat to different intensities of tillage, N-fertilization, and use of fungicides were compared for plants grown along root windows and in undisturbed control plots. Sampling was performed during late vegetative growth, six weeks after RW installation, with comparisons of shoot and root biomass, root length, mineral nutritional status, stress-related gene expression, stress metabolites, and the composition of microbial communities reflecting rhizosphere (RH) conditions.

Results

The presence of RW did not significantly affect most of the parameters analyzed. As an exception, RW plants showed increased foliar concentrations of several nutrients (K, Mg, Ca, Cu, Mn), potentially attributable to reduced inter-plant competition because RW were installed along border rows of the experimental plots. By contrast, N-fertilization intensity and fungicide use affected plant biomass, root growth, and fungal communities. Tillage intensity primarily affected fine-root production, the composition of RH-microbial communities, and physiological stress indicators in leaf tissue.

Conclusion

The results suggest only a limited influence on performance of winter wheat six weeks after RW installation under the selected experimental conditions, with plant responses and experimental results comparable to undisturbed controls.