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Volatile organic compound-mediated conversation in soil | Communications Earth & Environment
Chemical communication is fundamental in soil ecosystems, with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) playing a crucial role in mediating these interactions1,2. In the dynamic soil environment, organisms ranging from plant roots and bacteria to fungi and nematodes produce and respond to a diverse array of VOCs that originate from various catabolic pathways, yielding a wide range of structurally and functionally distinct compounds3,4,5. VOCs are typically small, odorous molecules ( < C15) with low molecular mass ( < 300 Da), high vapor pressure, low boiling point, and lipophilic properties1,2. These characteristics enable rapid volatilization and diffusion of VOCs through both gaseous and aqueous phases within the soil’s porous matrix, facilitating short- and long-distance interactions over millimeter-to-centimeter scale6,7. However, VOC transport is strongly constrained by compound-specific traits and soil properties, such as texture, moisture content, and pore connectivity, as well as by diffusion versus advective processes (e.g., airflow or preferential flow through macropores)6. In this context, clearly defining the spatial scales of VOC-mediated interaction is crucial. The diffusion dynamics of inorganic gases, such as CO₂ are well-documented within a narrow rhizosphere gradient (0.5–4 mm)8. In contrast, only a limited number of studies have explored the effect of distance on VOC-mediated interactions. A study...
