Rhizosphere Research

What it is about

You will learn the fundamental biophysikalische processes in the rhizosphere, i.e. in the root zone and at the root–soil interface, and how these processes control water and nutrient exchange in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. In the end you can mechanistically describe why and when plants have limited access to soil resources and which soil- or plant-related properties this can influence.

What you will be able to do

• Mechanistic description of water and nutrient retention and transport
• Discussion of causes and situations of limited resource use by plants
• Assessment of the role of underground features (soil and plants) in improving resource access
• Insight into current research questions on soil–plant interactions and the rhizosphere

What the module consists of

• Vorlesung (Soil Biophysics)Introduction to physical principles of water and substance transport in porous media and their interaction with plants and microorganisms
• Seminar (New emerging topics in Soil Biophysics)In-depth literature review on current topics; results presentation and written summary

Teaching method

• VorlesungConveying the physical principles of water retention, water potential/pressure, water flow, infiltration, evaporation, transpiration, root water uptake and solute transport
• Seminar with literature research and presentationDevelopment and critical discussion of current research findings; training in scientific presentation and written summary