Rhizosphere Research

The scope of this module is to learn fundamental biophysical processes taking place at the root zone and particularly at the root-soil interface and their emerging impacts on water and nutrient exchange between the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. In this module, we will discuss the basic principles of soil physics in the context of water and nutrient transport within soils and plant roots. The particular attention is to learn why, when, and where soil physics plays an important role in water and nutrient transport across the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum.

This module aims to enable students:

1. To mechanistically describe the theories of water and nutrients retention and transport across the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum
2. To mechanistically discuss why and when plant access to soil resources is limited in different soils and how plants may deal with these limitations
3. To evaluate the potential roles of different belowground traits (soil and plants) in improving plant access to limited soil resources under different conditions
4. To explore the state-of-the-art search in the field of soil-plant interactions and rhizosphere

This module is graded, and students are asked to give a seminar presentation complemented by the submission of an extended summary on a selected topic to demonstrate a solid understanding of topics discussed in the lectures. The oral presentation is expected to be 15 min presentation followed by a subsequent 30 min discussion to demonstrate that he or she is able to respond competently to any questions, suggestions, or discussions brought by the audience and relating to his or her subject area. The extended summary is expected to be a minimum of 5 pages and will be graded. Students will be informed about the grading criteria of their extended summary during the lecture via a template. The presentation will be scheduled within the last three weeks of the semester. The extended summary should be submitted by the end of the semester.

In addition, there is the option of taking a voluntary mid-term assignment as coursework in accordance with APSO §6, 5. For this, an oral examination (30 min) has to be given. The oral exam targets the learning outcomes of the lecture of Soil Biophysics. The module grade can be improved by 0.3 by passing the course work if this better characterizes the student's performance level based on the overall impression and the deviation has no influence on passing the examination. No repeat date is offered for the mid-term performance. Successfully passed mid-term assignments will be considered when retaking a failed module examination at the next possible examination date.

This module consists of two parts:

1. Lecture on Soil Biophysics: In weekly lectures, students will be introduced to the principle of water and nutrient transport within porose media, such as the soils-plants-atmosphere continuum. We will first begin by introducing students to the fundamental principle of the following key physical processes in soils: water retention in soil, water potential (freedom) in soils, the flow of water within soils, infiltration, evaporation, transpiration, root water uptake, and solute transport within soils. Then we will continue by focusing on the feedback between soil and plants and soil and microorganisms. Students will learn how biota's life (plants and microorganisms) may impact soil's physical properties and how the physical properties of soil may impact the emergence of life in soils.

2. Seminar on New emerging topics in Soil Biophysics: This seminar aims to discuss the fundamental biophysical and biochemical processes taking place across the soil-root interface and their emerging impacts on water, nutrient, and carbon flux across the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. Students will be briefly introduced to some selected state-of-the-art topics and will be asked to perform a deep literature review and present their findings in the form of an oral presentation and an extended summary at the end of the semester.