Rhizosphere interactions: root exudates, microbes, and microbial communities

TLDR

Interactions between plant roots and rhizosphere microbes are crucial for sustainable agriculture, as root exudates recruit microbes that in turn affect plant health and growth. This review summarizes recent advances in how root exudate compounds mediate plant–microbe and plant–microbiome interactions and explores their potential for sustainable agriculture. The authors synthesize recent findings on root exudate‑mediated signaling pathways that shape rhizospheric microbial communities and plant responses.

Abstract

The study of the interactions between plants and their microbial communities in the rhizosphere is important for developing sustainable management practices and agricultural products such as biofertilizers and biopesticides. Plant roots release a broad variety of chemical compounds to attract and select microorganisms in the rhizosphere. In turn, these plant-associated microorganisms, via different mechanisms, influence plant health and growth. In this review, we summarize recent progress made in unraveling the interactions between plants and rhizosphere microbes through plant root exudates, focusing on how root exudate compounds mediate rhizospheric interactions both at the plant–microbe and plant–microbiome levels. We also discuss the potential of root exudates for harnessing rhizospheric interactions with microbes that could lead to sustainable agricultural practices.