The Rhizosphere and Its Management To Improve Plant Growth

• Published in: Advances in Agronomy Vol. 66; pp. 1 - 102
• Main Authors: Bowen, G.D., Rovira, A.D.
• Format: Book Chapter Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Science & Technology 1999
• Subjects: crop management; crop production; crop rotation; growth; inoculum density; literature reviews; plant physiology; rhizosphere; roots; soil microorganisms; uptake
• ISBN: 0120007665; 9780120007660
• ISSN: 0065-2113; 2213-6789
• DOI: 10.1016/S0065-2113(08)60425-3

The chapter presents a discussion on both rhizosphere and rhizoplane. Rhizosphere is defined as the soil adjacent to roots with a different physical, chemical, and biological environment from the bulk soil. The rhizoplane is defined as the actual root surface or soil interface. The chapter describes plant responses, the nature and dynamics of rhizosphere populations and their determinants, the management of the plant, and management of microorganisms. The chapter also explores the impact of soil conditions and agronomic practices on the rhizoshere microflora and suggests areas that require more study in order to achieve effective management. The chapter also illustrates different methods that are used by agronomists, plant pathologists, and microbiologists in order to modify the rhizosphere. In most cases, when microbiologists and plant pathologists needs to change the rhizosphere in order to improve plant growth they often think in terms of introducing microorganisms that possess the desired characteristics, be they antibiotic or siderophore production, or the ability to stimulate plant growth.