Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Isolation and Analysis of Microbial Communities in Soil, Rhizosphere, and Roots in Perennial Grass Experiments
Published on: July 24, 2018
Nutrient availability and management in the rhizosphere: exploiting genotypic differences
1Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, School of Earth and Geographical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley. Zed.Rengel@uwa.edu.au
Abstract:
Crop nutrition is frequently inadequate as a result of the expansion of cropping into marginal lands, elevated crop yields placing increasing demands on soil nutrient reserves, and environmental and economic concerns about applying fertilizers. Plants exposed to nutrient deficiency activate a range of mechanisms that result in increased nutrient availability in the rhizosphere compared with the bulk soil. Plants may change their root morphology, increase the affinity of nutrient transporters in the plasma membrane and exude organic compounds (carboxylates, phenolics, carbohydrates, enzymes, etc.) and protons. Chemical changes in the rhizosphere result in altered abundance and composition of microbial communities. Nutrient-efficient genotypes are adapted to environments with low nutrient availability. Nutrient efficiency can be enhanced by targeted breeding through pyramiding efficiency mechanisms in a desirable genotype as well as by gene transfer and manipulation. Rhizosphere microorganisms influence nutrient availability; adding beneficial microorganisms may result in enhanced availability of nutrients to crops. Understanding the role of plant-microbe-soil interactions in governing nutrient availability in the rhizosphere will enhance the economic and environmental sustainability of crop production.
Related Concept Videos
Key Elements for Plant Nutrition
The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition
Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores
Microbial Interactions: Competition
Microbe-Plant Interactions
Soil Microbial Ecology

