Fig. 1: Field experimental design.
a Overview of the field experiment with infrared heating systems and in situ 15N labeling plots. b Nitrogen partitioning between wheat plants and microbes using 15N labeling experiment. In situ 15NO3− and 15NH4+ labeling was conducted to quantify plant–microbe N competition. c Soil gross N transformation rates (mineralization and nitrification). The soil gross N transformation rates were determined using a 24-h 15N pool dilution approach. d Plant root exudation and rhizosphere microbiome. Root exudates were collected in situ using a soil-hydroponic-hybrid approach. Root exudates were collected over three consecutive 24-h periods, with syringes replenished with nutrient solution after each collection. The exudates were then filtered through a 0.22 μm Minisart syringe filter and stored at −20 °C. Rhizosphere soil was collected by hand shaking. Microbial community composition was characterized via 16S rRNA gene sequencing and ITS sequencing. Functional potential was assessed through shotgun metagenomic analysis. Some elements of this figure were created in BioRender. Cunkang, H. (2025) https://BioRender.com/iyhzlv3.
