Spatial mapping of root metabolites

Conventional exudate sampling usually results in loss of spatial information with regard to different root regions and to metabolic fluxes within the root. In order to study rhizodeposition processes, mass spectrometry imaging is applied to track the temporal and spatial dynamics of metabolite accumulation in situ without the need of labelling or derivatization. Using this method, compounds are localized that respond to environmental cues (pathogen inoculation, soil microbial communities) and might be involved in the plant-soil feedback.