Root and Soil Functioning
Understanding root and soil functioning is essential for understanding plant and ecosystem dynamics. Soil C loss via CO2 efflux, and methane emissions are major contributors to climate warming. Roots influence carbon cycling, microbial communities and nutrient availability. Root respiration, a key indicator of activity, is crucial in plant physiology and ecology research. The rhizobia-driven N-fixation of legumes has a major impact on the nutrient balance of ecosystems. Different technologies assess soil and root respiration (CO2 and/or O2). In addition, a non-destructive technique measures N fixation rates in legumes based on H2 evolution.
Soil Respiration, Soil Methane Emissions
Q-SR1LP Soil Respiration Package, CO2 Efflux. In addition to CO2 (0-2000 ppm range), this package measures soil temperature, soil moisture and atmospheric pressure as major factors influencing soil respiration rates. Battery pack for ~11 hours of field use, and lab analysis of soil respiration in the incl. flow-through chamber.
Soil Methane Emission. Soil CH4 emission can be quantified in the field and lab in three ranges of up to 100 ppm, up to 500 ppm or to 5000 ppm with the reliable and cost-effective methane analyser series.
Root Respiration
Q-RP1LP Root Respiration CO2 Efflux - Larger Root Samples. Low Range Root CO2 Efflux Measurement, ...
... details coming soon.
Q-OX1LP-R O2 Consumption - Small Root Segments. Oxygen (O2) consumption measurements in liquid media are frequently employed to assess root respiration, offering a direct window into the metabolic activity of root segments such as root tips or specific root orders (due to the limited cuvette volume).
Nitrogen Fixation & Root Respiration
Q-NF1LP Nitrogen Fixation Package, the only complete experimental system for measuring N-fixation in H2-producing legume symbioses (H2 evolution), and to measure nodulated root respiration (CO2) in parallel.
We provide custom-made Respiration chambers in all sizes, for soil sampling to housing single plants or mesocosms, with internal fan; gas control systems available.
Photosynthesis can be conveniently measured in the field and in the laboratory with the Q-CO650 Photosynthesis Package; CO2 exchange of aqueous solutions with the Q-FL23.
For individual, modular sets of gas analysers, incl. high resolution DOX O2, and fitting gas flow monitors, pumps etc. see the overview section on gas flow and gas analysis instrumentation and get in contact.