Research on soil greenhouse gas (GHG) production has mainly focused on soils from temperate regions, which are usually well watered or even water saturated. In contrast, there is much less process-based understanding of the drivers of GHG emissions from dryland soils. We can, however, postulate that the plant–soil interface plays a substantially different role in these environments, as plants— in order to maintain their water and nutrient supply—must invest considerably in root biomass and strongly shape their rhizosphere. This intensive root activity affects plant–soil interactions in general and GHG-producing processes in particular.
This presentation aims to highlight specific rhizosphere traits of crops adapted to water scarcity, to demonstrate data showing how these traits influence carbon and nutrient turnover, and to derive conceptual links between these processes and GHG production. Specific focus will be put on the biogel mucilage and its implications on microbial processes. Furthermore, dryland soil mitigation strategies, such as biochar application, will be discussed regarding their implications for GHG emissions.
