Positive rhizosphere priming accelerates carbon release from permafrost soils

Nina L. Friggens (), Gustaf Hugelius, Steven V. Kokelj, Julian B. Murton, Gareth K. Phoenix and Iain P. Hartley
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Nina L. Friggens: University of Exeter
Gustaf Hugelius: Stockholm University
Steven V. Kokelj: Government of the Northwest Territories
Julian B. Murton: University of Sussex
Gareth K. Phoenix: University of Sheffield
Iain P. Hartley: University of Exeter

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Thawing permafrost soils are predicted to release substantial amounts of carbon by 2100. In addition to this, warming-induced active-layer deepening and increased rooting depth may result in further carbon losses from previously-frozen soil by stimulating microbial communities through fresh carbon inputs inducing positive rhizosphere priming. While models based on temperate data predict significant permafrost carbon loss through rhizosphere priming, data from permafrost soils are lacking. Here, we provide direct evidence of live plant-induced positive rhizosphere priming in permafrost and active-layer soils across diverse soil types from Arctic and Subarctic Canada. By 13CO2 labelling plants in a controlled environment, we show that root activity increases carbon loss from previously frozen soils by 31%. This rhizosphere priming effect persists longer in permafrost than in active-layer soils, suggesting greater vulnerability of permafrost carbon. These findings underscore the urgency of incorporating plant–soil–microbe interactions into models predicting greenhouse gas emissions from thawing permafrost.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58845-9

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