Background and aimsThe coupling of photosynthesis with belowground processes appears to be much faster than the time needed for assimilate translocation with the phloem flow. Pressure/concentration waves have been hypothesized to release belowground C already present in the phloem, resulting in a very fast feedback of rhizosphere processes to photosynthesis changes. We evaluate the speed of aboveground-rhizosphere coupling under maize by two mechanisms: pressure/concentration waves and direct phloem transport.