Plant-Soil Feedbacks and Organic Matter Dynamics

Dear Colleagues,

Plant–soil feedbacks originate from classical studies of plant-induced soil heterogeneity and currently constitute a key theoretical framework for explaining the dynamics of plant communities, biological invasion processes and ecosystem responses to global change. Simultaneously, the development of research on soil organic matter (SOM) has highlighted the importance of organic–mineral associations, microbial necromass and functionally diverse SOM pools as determinants of long-term carbon sequestration and soil fertility.

This Special Issue of the journal Agronomy focuses on the links between plant–soil feedbacks and SOM dynamics, emphasizing the role of plants in shaping the processes of its formation, transformation and stabilization. This interaction is achieved through litter supply, root system characteristics and interactions in the rhizosphere, which influence microbial activity, enzymatic activity and the sorption and complexation processes involving mineral fractions. This issue exclusively features original research articles using field experiments, long-term studies or controlled systems, enabling quantitative assessment of the interactions between plant communities, soil biota and SOM in natural, managed and agroecosystems.

This Special Issue, titled “Plant–Soil Feedbacks and Organic Matter Dynamics” analyzes the interdependencies between vegetation structure and functioning and the shaping of SOM resources and quality, understood as a key regulator of soil fertility and element cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Early research approaches focused primarily on humus balance and a simplified view of plants as a source of organic matter. However, contemporary research emphasizes the complex, multifaceted nature of feedback loops, in which plants—through species composition, root system architecture, rhizosphere exudates and the regulation of water relations—modify the structure and functioning of the soil microbiome, as well as the rate of organic carbon mineralization and stabilization. Soil properties transformed in this way have a reciprocal impact on plant productivity, stress resistance and plant succession.

The aim of this Special Issue is to gather innovative research papers integrating advanced analytical methods with field experiments and long-term observations of soil moisture dynamics in agricultural, forestry and agroecological systems. Only original scientific articles presenting the results of empirical or modeling studies, based on sound methodology and appropriately conducted statistical analysis, will be accepted for publication.

Topics covered include plant functional diversity, the role of root systems and microorganisms in carbon stabilization, the impact of management practices on plant–soil coupling and the implications of these processes for carbon sequestration, food security and the resilience of production systems to climate change.

This Special Issue will welcome manuscripts that link the following themes:

• The influence of plant species and functional diversity on the rate of SOM accumulation and stabilization;
• The relationship between plant ecological strategies and the formation of SOM fractions;
• The role of legumes and grasses in shaping the quality of organic matter;
• The relationship between enzymatic activity (dehydrogenase, urease, phosphatases) and SOM transformation;
• The structure of the soil microbiome as a mediator of plant–soil coupling;
• Mechanisms of SOM sorption and complexation in different soil types;
• The influence of plants on the formation of stable mineral–organic complexes;
• Management practices and agroecosystems;
• The influence of cropping systems on plant–soil coupling;
• The use of organic fertilizers and wastes in the context of SOM dynamics;
• Intensification vs. agricultural extensification and organic matter stability;
• Long-term experiments and land-use changes;
• Changes in soil SOM and biological activity in multi-year experiments;
• Targets for organic matter restoration in degraded soils;
• Carbon sequestration and climate change;
• The potential of various plant systems to sequester carbon in soil.

Dr. Magdalena Myszura-Dymek
Dr. Barbara Futa
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• plant–soil feedbacks
• soil organic matter (SOM)
• carbon sequestration
• soil microbiome
• soil enzymatic activity
• organic carbon stabilization
• organic matter dynamics
• agroecosystems
• soil management practices
• soil fertility