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A plant perspective on nitrogen cycling in the rhizosphere
Author(s) -
Moreau Delphine,
Bardgett Richard D.,
Finlay Roger D.,
Jones David L.,
Philippot Laurent
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
functional ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.272
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2435
pISSN - 0269-8463
DOI - 10.1111/1365-2435.13303
Subject(s) - nitrogen cycle , rhizosphere , cycling , nitrogen , ecosystem , nutrient cycle , biology , terrestrial plant , ecology , terrestrial ecosystem , nitrogen fixation , limiting , nutrient , environmental science , engineering , geography , mechanical engineering , physics , archaeology , quantum mechanics , bacteria , genetics
Nitrogen is the major nutrient limiting plant growth in terrestrial ecosystems, and the transformation of inert nitrogen to forms that can be assimilated by plants is mediated by soil micro‐organisms. The last decade has witnessed many significant advances in our understanding of plant–microbe interactions with evidence that plants have evolved multiple strategies to cope with nitrogen limitation by shaping and recruiting nitrogen‐cycling microbial communities. However, most studies have typically focused on the impact of plants on only one, or relatively few, processes within the nitrogen cycle. This review synthesizes recent advances in our understanding of the various routes by which plants influence the availability of nitrogen via an array of interactions with different guilds of nitrogen‐cycling micro‐organisms. We also propose a plant trait‐based framework for linking plant nitrogen acquisition strategies to the activities of nitrogen‐cycling microbial guilds. In doing so, we provide a more comprehensive picture of the ecological relationships between plants and nitrogen‐cycling micro‐organisms in terrestrial ecosystems. Finally, we identify previously overlooked processes within the nitrogen cycle that could be targeted in future research and be of interest for plant health or for improving plant nitrogen acquisition, while minimizing nitrogen inputs and losses in sustainable agricultural systems. A plain language summary is available for this article.