Transformation of organic and inorganic sulfur– adding perspectives to new players in soil and rhizosphere

• Published in: Soil biology & biochemistry Vol. 160; p. 108306
• Main Authors: Santana, Margarida M., Dias, Teresa, Gonzalez, Juan M., Cruz, Cristina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2021
• Subjects: Microbial abundance; Microbial activity; Plant-microbe interactions; Rhizosphere; S cycling; Soil microstructure; S cycling; Rhizosphere; Microbial activity; Plant-microbe interactions; Microbial abundance; Soil microstructure
• ISSN: 0038-0717; 1879-3428
• DOI: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2021.108306

Sulfur (S) is a macro-element required for life. S deficiency limits plant growth. Microorganisms carry out several essential steps in the recycling of organic and inorganic S in soils. Microbes and plants interact, mainly in the rhizosphere, but the mechanisms ruling these interactions and the extent of such relationships remain poorly understood. Here, we update current perspectives on the role of specific microorganisms involved in S cycling and the spatial interaction between plants and microbes. To contextualize the pitfalls of current approaches in studying soil S transformations, we review the current main established steps, redox reactions and microbial players in the S cycle. The incorporation of novel microbial taxa, namely those important for organic S mineralization, which may be important ecosystem players in terms of soil functionality, and of the spatial-temporal context at aggregate-level for the relevance of plant-microbe interactions, introduce important implications involving the role of microorganisms in the rhizosphere and require an integrated analysis. Herein, the rhizosphere is a focus – a habitat of selected low-abundance species, where important microbial groups act in S turnover and plant growth – while keeping a perspective on important microbial feedback S fluxes that may occur in bulk soils. [Display omitted] •Knowledge on plant-microbe rhizospheric interactions within S cycle is limited.•Novel microbial taxa may be relevant for S cycle in rhizosphere and surrounding soil.•Distinct spatial-temporal microbial living strategies influence S cycling dynamics.•Studies on S cycle and related microorganisms should consider soil microstructure.•S cycle studies should consider the rhizosphere/bulk soil spatial-temporal context.