Plant-soil interactions

The goal of our research is to uncover mechanisms at the root-soil interface underpinning long-term crop productivity and carbon sequestration.

We are committed to an interdisciplinary approach that integrates plant and soil science with agronomy and ecology. We combine experimental work at scales from the single root to the field with theoretical approaches.

On-going projects focus on the potential of mixed cultivar systems consisting of shallow and deep rooting cereals to increase resource use efficiency and climate resilience of Nordic cropping systems, and on the potential of cover crops, mixed cultivar systems, and specific root ideotypes to enhance carbon inputs into soil. Moreover, current research aims at identifying root traits that can improve crop growth on dry and/or compacted soil by elucidating links between root-soil biophysics and whole plant physiology.

Our research contributes to fundamental new knowledge as a basis for enhancing overall functioning of arable soils and for securing crop productivity.

Selected publications

Colombi et al., 2024, Trends in Plant Science 29, 856-864; Colombi et al., 2022, New Phytologist 233, 1542-1547; Colombi et al., 2019, Plant Physiology 180, 2049-2060.

On-going projects

• Mixed cultivar systems to mitigate drought effects on Nordic crop production (“Rootmix”)
• The capacity of crops for enhanced carbon allocation to soil in a changing climate – synergies and trade-offs (“C4C”)
• Crop production in a changing climate: The role of soil management and crop selection in mitigating extreme weather impacts under Swedish conditions.

Funding

Novo Nordisk Foundation, Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development (Formas), Lantmännen Research Foundation, Swedish Royal Academy of Forest and Agricultural Sciences (KSLA); Stiftelsen JTI, Swedish farmers’ foundation for agricultural research (SLF). 

Team

Pascal Benard, Elsa Arrázola Vásquez, Lorena Chagas Torres, Mats Larsbo, Daniel Iseskog och Thomas Keller.