Soil and rhizosphere microorganisms have the same Q(10) for respiration in a model system

We compared the Q10 relationship for root-derived respiration (including respiration due to the root, external mycorrhizal mycelium and rhizosphere microorganisms) with that of mainly external ectomycorrhizal mycelium and that of bulk soil microorganisms without any roots present. This was studied in a microcosm consisting of an ectomycorrhizal Pinus muricata seedling growing in a sandy soil, and where roots were allow to colonize one soil compartment, mycorrhizal mycelium another compartment, and the last compartment consisted of root- and mycorrhiza-free soil. The respiration rate in the bulk soil compartment was 30 times lower than in the root compartment, while that in the mycorrhizal compartment was six times lower. There were no differences in Q10 (for 5-15°C) between the different compartments, indicating that there were no differences in the temperature relationship between root-associated and non-root-associated organisms. Thus, there are no indications that different Q10 values should be used for different soil organism, bulk soil or rhizosphere-associated microorganisms when modelling the effects of global climate change.