Although rhizosphere microbiomes are known to enhance plants' resistance to water stress, it is believed that only fungi actively contribute to the transport and uptake of water. We investigated the biomechanical impact of bacterial motility on water transport in soil by combining surface tension measurements and water infiltration experiments in soil microcosms. We observed that flagellar-based motility in Bacillus subtilis cells reduces the apparent surface tension of fluids by up to 15%. The effect reported depends on cell density and swimming speed, confirming its biomechanical origin, and was able to accelerate water infiltration and rewetting of soil. We conclude that Bacillus subtilis facilitates soil water transport through the deformation of air water interfaces in pores.
Meza Manzaneque, B., Gomez Peral, E., de las Heras Martinez, G., Martin Sanchez, I., Stanley-Wall, N., Perez Estay, B., Lindner, A., Clement, E., Elguezabal, N., Dupuy, L. X.
Advertisement
Stats
- Recommendations n/a n/a positive of 0 vote(s)
- Views 10
- Comments 0