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Substrate flow in the rhizosphere

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The Rhizosphere and Plant Growth

Part of the book series: Beltsville Symposia in Agricultural Research ((BSAR,volume 14))

Abstract

The major source of substrates for microbial activity in the ectorhizosphere and on the rhizoplane are rhizodeposition products. They are composed of exudates, lysates, mucilage, secretions and dead cell material, as well as gases including respiratory CO2. Depending on plant species, age and environmental conditions, these can account for up to 40% (or more) of the dry matter produced by plants. The microbial populations colonizing the endorhizosphere, including mycorrhizae, pathogens and symbiotic N2-fixers have greater access to the total pool of carbon including that recently derived from photosynthesis. Utilization of rhizodeposition products induces at least a transient increase in soil biomass but a sustained increase depends on the state of the native soil biomass, the flow of other metabolites from the soil to the rhizosphere and the water relations of the soil. In addition, the phenomena of oligotrophy, cryptic growth, plasmolysis, dormancy and arrested metabolism can all influence the longevity of rhizosphere organisms. With this background, microbial growth in the rhizosphere will be discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Microbiology Department, AFRC Institute of Horticultural Research, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 6LP, UK

    J. M. Lynch & J. M. Whipps

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  1. J. M. Lynch
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  1. USDA, ARS, PSI, NFSGL, Bldg.011, HH19, BARC-West, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA

    Donald L. Keister (Chairman) & Perry B. Cregan (Chairman) & 

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Lynch, J.M., Whipps, J.M. (1991). Substrate flow in the rhizosphere. In: Keister, D.L., Cregan, P.B. (eds) The Rhizosphere and Plant Growth. Beltsville Symposia in Agricultural Research, vol 14. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3336-4_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3336-4_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-5473-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-3336-4

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