Rooted: linking root-traits to soil microbial diversity and carbon sequestration
A research initiative linking specific plant root traits to soil microbial biodiversity, soil health, and carbon sequestration. The project investigates how drought-avoidance and biomass-allocation root traits influence fungal-to-bacterial ratios and microbial necromass contributions to soil organic carbon across cereals and pasture species.
Overview
This research program investigates how specific plant root traits influence soil microbial biodiversity, soil health, and carbon sequestration. The project focuses on root characteristics associated with drought avoidance (such as rooting depth and root elongation rate), drought tolerance (root tissue density), and biomass allocation (shoot-to-root ratio, root mass fraction, and root biomass). By linking these traits to microbial community composition and soil organic carbon formation, the work addresses a critical gap in understanding the global carbon budget, given that approximately 24% of plant biomass (~113 Gt C) exists belowground.
Technical specifications
Research approach:
- Microcosm experiments using cereals and pasture species representing annuals and perennials across different soil classes
- Measurement of key root traits including root biomass, root length density, root elongation, root mass fraction, and root tissue density
- Assessment of soil health indices including microbial biomass, enzyme activities, and soil microbial biodiversity
- Analysis of carbon sequestration through amino sugars (microbial necromass markers) and soil bacteria-fungi consortia
- Evaluation of fungal-to-bacterial biomass (F:B) ratios linked to root trait expression
- Sampling at different plant phenological stages over a 12-month period
Scientific basis:
The program builds on established findings that microbial residues contribute up to 60% of soil organic carbon in the top 30 cm of soil, with dead fungal biomass suggested to contribute more to soil carbon storage than bacterial remains.
Technology readiness level
This is an early-stage research program at the hypothesis validation phase. The work involves planned microcosm-based experimental validation linking root traits to soil microbial indicators and carbon sequestration outcomes. The research is positioned to generate foundational knowledge and predictive frameworks for assessing root-trait contributions to soil health and carbon storage, with potential applications in sustainable agriculture, ecosystem management, and climate change mitigation strategies.
About University of Helsinki
University of Helsinki is a comprehensive public research university and Finland’s largest, serving as a multi-campus institution in the capital region with a strong international profile. Industry collaboration is enabled by shared core facilities and co-located laboratories, as well as a medical campus integrated with the regional university hospital for clinical translation and trials. Companies engage through contract research, sponsored access to instrumentation, and co-creation spaces near campus. Research is supported by competitive funding from the Research Council of Finland, Business Finland, and European programs including Horizon Europe and the European Research Council. A dedicated technology transfer company manages IP, licensing, and spinout formation to accelerate commercialization.
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