Combined Exudation and Rhizobiome Sampling from the Same Soil-Grown Plant

Problem
Sampling root exudates and rhizosphere soil from the same plant is highly challenging. Exudation sampling requires an intact root system that is still attached to the shoot while rhizosphere soil collection usually damages or destroys this plant material.

Solution
Using an exudate sampling method that involves gentle removal of all attached soil via washing reduces root damage. The method for rhizosphere soil collection as well as exudate collection are described below.

Benefits
The combined exudation and rhizobiome sampling from the same plant increases throughput and is therefore a recommended tool for medium-scale rhizosphere phenotyping.