Plant roots can release enormous amounts of photosynthetically fixed carbon into the rhizosphere. Root exudates are known to have specialized roles in nutrient cycling and signal transduction between the root system and the soil, as well as in plant response to environmental stresses. Root exudation typically creates a nutrient-rich rhizosphere microenvironment in which microbial activity is stimulated. Exudates are also the key regulators in rhizosphere communication, and can modify both biological and physical interactions between roots and soil microorganisms by mediating various positive and negative plant-microbe interactions. Root exudates, particularly those containing specific secondary metabolites, play crucial roles in shaping the rhizosphere microbiome by impacting different community members. In turn, the rhizosphere microbiome can directly or indirectly influence plant growth, development and health by modulating plant nutrient uptake and/or resistance to biotic and biotic stress. Recent experimental evidence suggests that plant allelopathy, replant disease and interspecific facilitation through intercropping are facilitated by the integrative effects of plant-microbe interactions mediated by root exudates.
Rhizosphere interactions between plants and microorganisms are extremely complex. Recently, remarkable progress related to the methods and technologies used when performing soil ecological research has been noted. For example, stable isotope probing (SIP) of DNA and RNA combined with high throughput sequencing has enabled the characterization of the rhizosphere microbiome associated with root exudation. The use of metabolomics coupled with imaging technology has resulted in key information on the localisation of production of and release of secondary plant products. In addition, the use of synthetic microbial communities has enriched our knowledge of plant-microbe interactions as well. However, there remains a relatively limited understanding of how specific root exudates directly shape the rhizosphere microbiome. This Research Topic issue aims to present current information on trends and methods utilised in the study of plant-microbe rhizosphere interactions, and also highlights the multifaceted research approaches used to characterise root exudates, the associated rhizosphere microbiome and interactions among the two.
In this Research Topic, we welcome all article types published by Frontiers in Plant Science that dissect the mechanism and application of plant-microbe rhizosphere interactions mediated by root exudates, focusing (but not limited to) on:
• the changes in root exudate composition upon exposure to abiotic and biotic stress and its functions
• the role of root exudates in plant-microbe rhizosphere interactions
• the role of root exudates in allelopathy and invasive ability of particular plants
• mechanisms of plant-microbe interactions and its significance for plant growth and soil health
• plant–microbe rhizosphere interactions under abiotic stress
• applications of plant–microbe interactions for sustainable agriculture and food security
• new research approaches in terms of root exudates, rhizosphere microbiome and their interactions
Plant roots can release enormous amounts of photosynthetically fixed carbon into the rhizosphere. Root exudates are known to have specialized roles in nutrient cycling and signal transduction between the root system and the soil, as well as in plant response to environmental stresses. Root exudation typically creates a nutrient-rich rhizosphere microenvironment in which microbial activity is stimulated. Exudates are also the key regulators in rhizosphere communication, and can modify both biological and physical interactions between roots and soil microorganisms by mediating various positive and negative plant-microbe interactions. Root exudates, particularly those containing specific secondary metabolites, play crucial roles in shaping the rhizosphere microbiome by impacting different community members. In turn, the rhizosphere microbiome can directly or indirectly influence plant growth, development and health by modulating plant nutrient uptake and/or resistance to biotic and biotic stress. Recent experimental evidence suggests that plant allelopathy, replant disease and interspecific facilitation through intercropping are facilitated by the integrative effects of plant-microbe interactions mediated by root exudates.
Rhizosphere interactions between plants and microorganisms are extremely complex. Recently, remarkable progress related to the methods and technologies used when performing soil ecological research has been noted. For example, stable isotope probing (SIP) of DNA and RNA combined with high throughput sequencing has enabled the characterization of the rhizosphere microbiome associated with root exudation. The use of metabolomics coupled with imaging technology has resulted in key information on the localisation of production of and release of secondary plant products. In addition, the use of synthetic microbial communities has enriched our knowledge of plant-microbe interactions as well. However, there remains a relatively limited understanding of how specific root exudates directly shape the rhizosphere microbiome. This Research Topic issue aims to present current information on trends and methods utilised in the study of plant-microbe rhizosphere interactions, and also highlights the multifaceted research approaches used to characterise root exudates, the associated rhizosphere microbiome and interactions among the two.
In this Research Topic, we welcome all article types published by Frontiers in Plant Science that dissect the mechanism and application of plant-microbe rhizosphere interactions mediated by root exudates, focusing (but not limited to) on:
• the changes in root exudate composition upon exposure to abiotic and biotic stress and its functions
• the role of root exudates in plant-microbe rhizosphere interactions
• the role of root exudates in allelopathy and invasive ability of particular plants
• mechanisms of plant-microbe interactions and its significance for plant growth and soil health
• plant–microbe rhizosphere interactions under abiotic stress
• applications of plant–microbe interactions for sustainable agriculture and food security
• new research approaches in terms of root exudates, rhizosphere microbiome and their interactions