Root exudates in-situ collecting device for xerophyte soil cultivation

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of plant cultivation and plant interaction research, and discloses a root exudate in-situ collection device for xerophyte soil cultivation, which comprises a root-soil isolation system, an exudate collection system and a layered water supply system, the secretion collecting system comprises a collecting box, the bottom of the side wall of the collecting box communicates with a collecting bottle through a third guide pipe, and a third valve is installed on the third guide pipe; the root system-soil isolation system comprises a culture box body, the culture box body is placed in a collection box, water-permeable holes are uniformly distributed in the bottom of the culture box body, and a soil layer prepared by wrapping a soil matrix with an isolation film is placed in the culture box body; the layered water supply system comprises a lower-layer water supply module and an upper-layer water supply module, the lower-layer water supply module is used for supplying water from the lower layer of the collecting box to maintain the humidity of the soil layer, and the upper-layer water supply module is used for leaching the tested plants from the top of the collecting box. The device can achieve the effects of avoiding physical disturbance to root systems, supporting in-situ and continuous collection of secretions and improving the collection rate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of plant cultivation and plant interaction research technology, specifically to an in-situ collection device for root exudates in soil cultivation of xerophytic plants. Background Technology

[0002] In studies of plant symbiosis and parasitism, the induction of seed germination by host plant root exudates is a key research area. Clarifying the interaction mechanism between the two is of great significance for agricultural production (such as the control of parasitic weeds), medicinal plant cultivation (such as Cynomorium songaricum and Cistanche deserticola), and ecological research. However, existing root exudate collection devices are insufficient to meet research needs.

[0003] Chinese utility model patent CN211347505U (publication date: August 25, 2020) discloses a device for collecting high-purity root exudates from xerophytic plants, which achieves in-situ collection of exudates through a dual-zone design. The device includes a plastic flowerpot with an internal plastic cup filled with vermiculite and absorbent cotton thread (connected to nutrient solution), and an external area filled with sand and absorbent cotton thread (connected to deionized water). Plant roots absorb nutrients in the vermiculite zone and swell and secrete substances in the sand zone. A high-purity sample is obtained by extracting the exudates from the sand. This patent avoids root damage associated with traditional soil cultivation and component interference from solution methods. However, it requires manual transplanting and precise control of humidity in both zones, making the operation complex. Furthermore, the exudates rely on the sandy substrate for adsorption, leading to low extraction efficiency or adsorption saturation issues.

[0004] Chinese utility model patent CN209961502U (publication date: January 17, 2020) discloses a plant root exudate collection device that achieves in-situ collection through the cooperation of a soil layer and a detachable isolation component. The device includes an exudate collection box encased in a soil layer, filled with quartz sand to absorb the exudates. Roots naturally grow into the collection box through an agar layer between baffles. A resin enrichment tube and an air blowing component drive liquid circulation, eluting and enriching the exudates, thus improving collection efficiency. However, the device requires pre-installed detachable baffles and an agar layer, making the operation complex and causing slight disturbance to root growth; it also relies on quartz sand to absorb the exudates, and similar problems of adsorption saturation or incomplete elution exist.

[0005] Chinese invention patent application CN119345737A (publication date: January 24, 2025) proposes a wheat root exudate collection device. This device solves the problem of difficult resin column disassembly in traditional soil cultivation methods through the coordinated design of a movable frame and an opening / closing assembly. The device includes a sliding movable frame with a filter ring at the bottom. A screw within a support ring drives an opening / closing plate to seal or open the bottom, allowing the liquid from the thorough mixing and soaking of soil and extractant to flow directly into the resin column at the bottom of the frame. The resin column is fixed by a threaded mounting cylinder, allowing for manual rotation and removal without disassembling the frame. Furthermore, a hanger and locking assembly on the outside of the movable frame enhance stability through gear transmission. However, the complex structure increases manufacturing costs and maintenance difficulty; moreover, the limited capacity of the resin column necessitates frequent replacement, impacting the efficiency of continuous experiments.

[0006] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a collection device specifically designed for the study of "host plant root exudates-parasite seed germination" to achieve in-situ and dynamic collection of root exudates without disturbing the host root system, so as to provide reliable samples for revealing the interaction mechanism between the two. Utility Model Content

[0007] To address the problems of root exudate collection in existing technologies, such as root disturbance, environmental simulation distortion, and low collection efficiency, this paper proposes an in-situ root exudate collection device for soil cultivation of xerophytes. This device enables in-situ, undisturbed, and efficient collection of host plant root exudates, providing key samples for elucidating the seed germination mechanism of parasitic plants.

[0008] To achieve the above-mentioned technical objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows:

[0009] A device for in-situ collection of root exudates in soil cultivation of xerophytic plants includes: a root-soil isolation system, an exudate collection system, and a stratified water supply system; the exudate collection system includes a collection box, the bottom of which is connected to a collection bottle via a third conduit, and a third valve is installed on the third conduit; the root-soil isolation system includes a culture box, which is placed inside the collection box, with water-permeable holes evenly distributed at the bottom of the culture box, and a soil layer placed inside the culture box, the soil layer being made of a soil matrix wrapped by an isolation membrane, for planting test plants; the stratified water supply system includes a lower water supply module and an upper water supply module, the lower water supply module being used to supply water from the lower layer of the collection box to maintain the soil moisture, and the upper water supply module being used to rinse the test plants from the top of the collection box.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution, a support layer is laid below the soil layer inside the culture box, and a filter layer is laid above the soil layer.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution, the culture box is made of transparent plexiglass or polypropylene, and the isolation membrane is made of nylon membrane.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution, the support layer is laid with quartz sand and the filter layer is laid with perlite.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution, the bottom of the four corners of the culture box has protrusions.

[0014] As a preferred technical solution, the lower water supply module includes a second water tank and a second conduit. One end of the second conduit is connected to the second water tank, and the other end is connected to the water inlet at the bottom of the side wall of the collection tank. A second valve is provided at the connection point of the second conduit to the second water tank.

[0015] As a preferred technical solution, the lower water supply module further includes a water storage and seepage layer, which is located inside the collection box below the culture box.

[0016] As a preferred technical solution, the water-storing and permeable layer is a sterile sponge.

[0017] As a preferred technical solution, the upper water supply module includes a first water tank, a first conduit, and a shower head. The shower head is installed on the inner side of the top of the collection tank. The shower head is connected to the first water tank through the first conduit. A first valve is installed on the first conduit. The first water tank is located above the collection tank.

[0018] As a preferred technical solution, a filter membrane is provided at one end of the third conduit connected to the collection bottle.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0020] This invention relates to an in-situ root exudate collection device for soil cultivation of xerophytic plants. The root-soil isolation system provides a favorable soil growth environment for the tested plants and allows for observation of root growth. An isolation membrane separates the roots from the soil substrate, allowing the roots to grow freely outside the membrane without the need for sampling or altering their growth direction. This avoids the physical disturbance to the roots caused by traditional methods and accurately reflects the natural exudate release patterns. The lower water supply module maintains soil moisture for the tested plants, creating a degree of drought stress and precisely simulating the root growth microenvironment in soil cultivation. The upper water supply module uses rinsing to support in-situ, continuous exudate collection, improving the collection rate. This invention is suitable for laboratory and small-scale field studies of various plants, providing a reliable tool for analyzing root-soil interaction mechanisms.

[0021] This invention relates to an in-situ collection device for root exudates in soil cultivation of xerophytic plants. The lower water supply module is equipped with a water storage and seepage layer, and water is supplied through capillary action to avoid flooding stress. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this application and should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the device of this utility model.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the root-soil isolation system.

[0025] The meanings of the labels in the attached diagram are as follows: 1. First water tank; 2. Root-soil isolation system; 3. Collection box; 4. First valve; 5. First conduit; 6. Rinse nozzle; 7. Filter membrane; 8. Collection bottle; 9. Second conduit; 10. Third conduit; 11. Second water tank; 12. Second valve; 13. Third valve; 21. Test plant; 22. Culture box; 23. Filter layer; 24. Isolation membrane; 25. Soil matrix; 26. Support layer; 27. Water storage and seepage layer. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of this application described and shown in the accompanying drawings can be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of this application provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed application, but merely represents selected embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0027] An in-situ collection device for root exudates in soil cultivation of xerophytic plants, such as Figures 1-2 As shown, it includes: root-soil isolation system 2, secretion collection system, and stratified water supply system.

[0028] The secretion collection system includes: a collection box 3, the bottom of the side wall of the collection box 3 being connected to a collection bottle 8 via a third conduit 10, and a third valve 13 being installed on the third conduit 10. Preferably, a filter membrane 7 is provided at one end of the third conduit 10 connected to the collection bottle 8.

[0029] The root-soil isolation system 2 includes: a culture box 22, which is placed inside a collection box 3. The culture box 22 is rectangular, approximately 15-20 cm high, with 5 mm protrusions at the four bottom corners, and is made of transparent material. Water-permeable holes are evenly distributed at the bottom of the culture box 22. A soil layer is placed in the culture box 22, and this soil layer is made of a soil matrix 25 wrapped by an isolation membrane 24, used for planting the test plant 21. The soil layer is approximately 8 cm high. Preferably, the culture box 22 is made of transparent plexiglass or polypropylene; the isolation membrane 24 is made of 30 μm nylon membrane. Further, a support layer 26 is laid below the soil layer inside the culture box 22, and a filter layer 23 is laid above the soil layer. The support layer 26 is made of quartz sand, and the filter layer 23 is made of perlite. The thickness of the support layer 26 and the filter layer 23 is approximately 2 cm.

[0030] The tiered water supply system includes a lower water supply module and an upper water supply module. The lower water supply module includes a second water tank 11 and a second conduit 9. One end of the second conduit 9 is connected to the second water tank 11, and the other end is connected to the water inlet at the bottom of the side wall of the collection box 3. A second valve 12 is provided at the connection point between the second conduit 9 and the second water tank 11 for supplying water from the lower layer of the collection box 3 to maintain soil moisture. Preferably, the lower water supply module also includes a water storage and seepage layer 27, which is located inside the collection box 3 below the culture box 22. Preferably, the water storage and seepage layer 27 is a sterile sponge, but the material is not limited. This invention can provide water periodically according to the growth characteristics of the tested plants through the lower water supply module. Specifically, by opening the second valve 12, water flows from the second water tank 11 through the second conduit 9 into the bottom of the collection box 3, soaking the water storage and seepage layer 27, and supplying water through capillary action to maintain soil moisture.

[0031] The upper water supply module includes a first water tank 1, a first conduit 5, and a rinsing nozzle 6. The rinsing nozzle 6 is installed on the inner top of the collection box 3 and is connected to the first water tank 1 through the first conduit 5. A first valve 4 is installed on the first conduit 5. The first water tank 1 is located above the collection box 3. The upper water supply module is used to rinse the tested plants from the top of the collection box 3. Preferably, the rinsing nozzle 6 is a nozzle with adjustable spray volume. When it is necessary to collect root exudates, the first valve 4 located above the collection box is opened, and water flows from the first water tank 1 through the first conduit 5 and through the rinsing nozzle 6 to rinse the plants in the culture box. The rinsed exudates collect at the bottom of the collection box 3. The third valve 13 is opened, and the water flows through the third conduit 10, is filtered by the filter membrane 7, and collected in the collection bottle 8. The filter membrane 7 is a 30μm nylon membrane. It should be noted that the material is not limited.

[0032] This invention relates to an in-situ root exudate collection device for soil cultivation of xerophytic plants. The test plants are planted in a root-soil isolation system and placed in the collection box of the exudate collection system. They are watered and cultivated through a lower water supply module. When it is necessary to collect root exudates, the test plants are rinsed through an upper water supply module, and the rinsed root exudates are collected in a collection bottle.

[0033] Of course, there may be other embodiments of this utility model. Without departing from the spirit and essence of this utility model, those skilled in the art can make various corresponding changes and modifications based on this utility model, but these corresponding changes and modifications should all fall within the protection scope of the appended claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A device for in-situ collection of root exudates in soil cultivation of xerophytic plants, characterized in that: Mainly includes: Root-soil isolation system (2), secretion collection system, stratified water supply system; The secretion collection system includes a collection box (3), the bottom of the side wall of the collection box (3) is connected to the collection bottle (8) through a third conduit (10), and a third valve (13) is installed on the third conduit (10); the root-soil isolation system includes a culture box (22), the culture box (22) is placed in the collection box (3), the bottom of the culture box (22) has water-permeable holes evenly distributed, the culture box (22) is filled with a soil layer, the soil layer is made of soil matrix (25) wrapped by an isolation membrane (24), and is used to plant the test plants (21); the stratified water supply system includes a lower water supply module and an upper water supply module, the lower water supply module is used to supply water from the lower layer of the collection box (3) to maintain the soil layer humidity, and the upper water supply module is used to rinse the test plants from the top of the collection box (3).

2. The in-situ root exudate collection device for soil cultivation of xerophytic plants according to claim 1, characterized in that: The culture box (22) has a support layer (26) below the soil layer and a filter layer (23) above the soil layer.

3. The in-situ root exudate collection device for soil cultivation of xerophytic plants according to claim 2, characterized in that: The culture box (22) is made of transparent plexiglass or polypropylene, and the isolation membrane (24) is made of nylon membrane.

4. The in-situ root exudate collection device for soil cultivation of xerophytic plants according to claim 2, characterized in that: The support layer (26) is laid with quartz sand, and the filter layer (23) is laid with perlite.

5. The in-situ root exudate collection device for soil cultivation of xerophytic plants according to claim 1, characterized in that: The culture box (22) has protrusions at the bottom of its four corners.

6. The in-situ root exudate collection device for soil cultivation of xerophytic plants according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower water supply module includes a second water tank (11) and a second conduit (9). One end of the second conduit (9) is connected to the second water tank (11), and the other end is connected to the water inlet at the bottom of the side wall of the collection box (3). A second valve (12) is provided at the connection point of the second conduit (9) to the second water tank (11).

7. The in-situ root exudate collection device for soil cultivation of xerophytic plants according to claim 6, characterized in that: The lower water supply module also includes a water storage and seepage layer (27), which is located inside the collection box (3) below the culture box (22).

8. The in-situ root exudate collection device for soil cultivation of xerophytic plants according to claim 7, characterized in that: The water storage and permeability layer (27) is a sterile sponge.

9. The in-situ root exudate collection device for soil cultivation of xerophytic plants according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper water supply module includes a first water tank (1), a first conduit (5), and a shower head (6). The shower head (6) is installed on the inner side of the top of the collection tank (3). The shower head (6) is connected to the first water tank (1) through the first conduit (5). A first valve (4) is provided on the first conduit (5). The first water tank (1) is located above the collection tank (3).

10. The in-situ root exudate collection device for soil cultivation of xerophytic plants according to claim 1, characterized in that: The third conduit (10) is connected to a collection bottle (8) with a filter membrane (7) at one end.

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