Scientists at Aarhus University in Denmark have developed a groundbreaking DNA-based testing method that makes it possible to measure plant root biomass and underground carbon storage without digging up the soil. This innovation could transform climate research and sustainable agriculture.
Unlocking the Hidden Climate Role of Plant Roots
Researchers from the Department of Agroecology at Aarhus University have pioneered a new way to understand what lies beneath the surface of agricultural fields. Plant roots, although hidden from view, play a crucial role in stabilizing soil, absorbing water and nutrients, and sequestering carbon, making them an essential factor in addressing climate change.
Until now, measuring roots has been a labor-intensive and imprecise process, primarily involving digging up soil, washing, drying, and weighing the root mass,a method that often destroyed the fine root structures most involved in ecological processes. The new approach replaces this with a genetic test that can identify and quantify root biomass from soil samples, greatly increasing precision and efficiency.
DNA Technology Reveals Underground Plant Life
The method utilizes a technology called droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), which analyzes the DNA present in soil. Tiny droplets are extracted from a soil sample and examined individually to detect specific genetic markers. The researchers focused on a marker called ITS2 (Internal Transcribed Spacer 2), which acts like a DNA fingerprint for plant species.
This allows the team not only to detect the presence of roots, but also to determine which species they belong to and how much biomass they contribute to the soil. In other words, it gives scientists a way to study plant root systems noninvasively and in high detail.
A Breakthrough Recognized by International Experts
The new technique has already been recognized internationally, with the research being published in the journal Plant Physiology. An accompanying feature in the journal highlighted the method as a significant breakthrough in plant and soil science.
The research was led by a team including Nurbanu Shynggyskyzy, Claus Krogh Madsen, Per L. Gregersen, Jim Rasmussen, Uffe Jørgensen, and Henrik Brinch-Pedersen, and supported by the Innovation Fund Denmark through the GrassTools project.
Potential Applications in Climate and Agricultural Research
This advancement has several important potential applications:
Climate Science
Knowing how much carbon different crops store underground is critical for quantifying and improving agriculture’s role in mitigating climate change. Up to 25% of a plant’s carbon uptake can end up in the roots, yet this contribution to soil carbon storage has often gone undocumented.
Plant Breeding
With this tool, scientists can develop or select crop varieties that store more carbon in their roots without compromising above-ground yield. This could reshape farming practices aimed at climate adaptation and soil health.
Biodiversity Monitoring
In ecosystems such as grasslands and mixed crop fields, this method enables precise tracking of how plant species directly interact underground, information that was previously almost impossible to gather with conventional methods.
Challenges and Future Developments
While the research has achieved a major step forward, there are still limitations to overcome. Closely related species with similar genetic material, such as ryegrass and Italian ryegrass, can be difficult to distinguish using the ITS2 marker. To refine the method, researchers will need to develop additional genetic probes tailored to more species.
They also plan to expand their DNA reference library to cover a broader range of crops and wild plants. Scaling up the use of this technology could drastically reduce reliance on traditional root measurement practices and provide faster insights at a much larger scale.
A New Tool in the Fight Against Climate Change
This newly developed DNA technique gives researchers and farmers an efficient way to examine the invisible yet impactful world beneath our feet. By better understanding how plant roots contribute to carbon storage and interact with their environment, scientists can help optimize agricultural systems for both productivity and climate resilience.
As agriculture increasingly becomes a central player in global climate solutions, tools like this will be vital. With more than 270 researchers and staff members, Aarhus University’s Department of Agroecology continues to lead innovative research that aims to support both sustainable food production and a healthier environment.
