Open AccessPlant species and soil type cooperatively shape the structure and function of microbial communities in the rhizosphere
Author(s) -
Berg Gabriele,
Smalla Kornelia
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
fems microbiology ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.377
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1574-6941
pISSN - 0168-6496
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6941.2009.00654.x
Subject(s) - rhizosphere , biology , abiotic component , ecosystem , microorganism , ecology , microbial population biology , bulk soil , nutrient cycle , microbial ecology , soil microbiology , botany , soil water , bacteria , genetics
The rhizosphere is of central importance not only for plant nutrition, health and quality but also for microorganism‐driven carbon sequestration, ecosystem functioning and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. A multitude of biotic and abiotic factors are assumed to influence the structural and functional diversity of microbial communities in the rhizosphere. In this review, recent studies on the influence of the two factors, plant species and soil type, on rhizosphere‐associated microbial communities are discussed. Root exudates and the response of microorganisms to the latter as well as to root morphology were shown to shape rhizosphere microbial communities. All studies revealed that soil is the main reservoir for rhizosphere microorganisms. Many secrets of microbial life in the rhizosphere were recently uncovered due to the enormous progress in molecular and microscopic tools. Physiological and molecular data on the factors that drive selection processes in the rhizosphere are presented here. Furthermore, implications for agriculture, nature conservation and biotechnology will also be discussed.