“…Despite early studies highlighting the role of faunal–microbial interactions in the rhizosphere for the mineralization and plant uptake of soil N (Clarholm, ; Ingham, Trofymow, Ingham, & Coleman, ; Ritz & Griffiths, ), major uncertainties exist about the influence of plant exudates on nutrient release via these trophic interactions (Blagodatskaya et al, ; Cole, Staddon, Sleep, & Bardgett, ). Our poor ability to measure the spectrum and amounts of root exudates in soil in a quantitatively rigorous manner (Oburger & Jones, ) calls for further research to overcome this bottleneck. In the case of priming, it is highly likely that both negative and positive priming will occur in different regions of the root system (due to spatial patterns of root exudation, microbial activity and soil organic C and N heterogeneity).…”