Plant inter-species effects on rhizosphere priming of soil organic matter decomposition

► We studied effects of plant-plant interactions on rhizosphere priming effects (RPE). ► Sunflower, soybean and wheat were grown as monocultures or as mixtures. ► RPE was studied by continuous 13C labeling of the monocultures and of the mixtures. ► All planted treatments induced positive RPE (43%-136% of the unplanted control). ► Inter-species interactions can reduce the intensity of priming on SOM decomposition.