Do rhizosphere microbiomes match root functional traits?

Land plants and microorganisms have developed intricate partnerships during millions of years of coevolution. However, it remains largely unknown how rhizosphere microbiomes align with diverse root functional traits among and within species. We argue that deciphering the bidirectional interactions of root traits with microbial partners is pivotal for understanding rhizosphere processes and belowground ecosystem functioning. We review emerging evidence illustrating how root functional traits shape rhizosphere microbiomes and how rhizosphere microbiomes modulate root-trait expression. We conclude that rhizosphere microbiota and root traits comprise a holistic evolutionary unit that governs plant health and belowground resource acquisition. This knowledge provides valuable insights into the adaptive evolution of plant host-microbe associations and informs strategies to leverage their beneficial interactions for sustainably managed systems.