The influence of the root on rhizosphere nutrient cycling and plant health

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The contribution of the root to modify the rhizosphere is important for nutrient acquisition and plant health. Root cells can locally alter gene expression to modify the rhizosphere to improve access to nutrients. This can be done directly by changing the local physico-chemical environment or indirectly, by influencing the populations of other rhizosphere organisms, such as bacteria and fungi. The factors regulating these processes for roots in soil are very difficult to measure in situ and have been mostly measured in solution culture (hydroponics) or in sterile conditions on agar Petri dishes. The future challenge is to relate these measurements to the soil environment. The hypothesis being tested is that rhizosphere nutrient cycling is important for root health and susceptibility to pathogens. This research group is uniquely placed to undertake this research as they have developed techniques to directly measure nutrient availability inside cells and in the rhizosphere. These techniques together with the ability to both modify and study plant gene expression enables the research to occur at a cellular scale that is more relevant to understanding how these processes are regulated in soil. In the wider context, Rothamsted is uniquely positioned to undertake this research because of the expertise in soil microbiology, nutrient cycling and modelling at many different scales.

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