Rhizosphere (ecology)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rhizosphere is the narrow region of soil that is directly influenced by root secretions and associated soil microorganisms^[1]. It is teeming with bacteria that feed on sloughed-off plant cells, termed rhizodeposition, and the proteins and sugars released by roots. The protozoa and nematodes that graze on bacteria are also concentrated near roots. Thus, much of the nutrient cycling and disease suppression needed by plants occurs immediately adjacent to roots. ^[2]

The opposite of rhizospheric soil is bulk soil.

[edit] See also

• Mucigel

[edit] References

1. ^ Microbial Health of the Rhizosphere. Retrieved on 2006-05-05.
2. ^ The Soil Food Web. USDA-NRCS. Retrieved on 2006-07-03.

[edit] Further reading

• The Soil Habitat. University of Western Australia. Retrieved on 2006-07-03.
• Digging in the Dirt: Is the Study of the Rhizosphere Ripe for a Systems Biology Approach? - A review from the Science Creative Quarterly (retrieved December 4, 2006)