Rhizosphere Microbiome Engineering and Functional Ecology: Mechanistic Understanding of Plant Health, Adapting to Stress, and Sustainable Agriculture
摘要
The rhizosphere, a dynamic interface between plant roots and soil, hosts diverse microbial communities that play pivotal roles in plant health, nutrient acquisition, and stress resilience. This review explores the intricate interactions within the rhizosphere, focusing on their ecological significance and potential applications in sustainable agriculture. We discuss key mechanisms driving these interactions, including root exudates as mediators of microbial recruitment, the diversity and composition of rhizosphere microbiomes, and abiotic factors shaping microbial dynamics. The review highlights mutualistic associations such as symbiotic nitrogen fixation and mycorrhizal fungi, as well as antagonistic interactions and their implications for biological control. We examine the complex communication networks in the rhizosphere, involving signalling molecules, quorum sensing, and integrated regulatory pathways that modulate plant-microbe interactions. The multifaceted roles of rhizosphere microbes in enhancing plant adaptation to climate-induced stresses, including drought, salinity, temperature extremes, and heavy metal toxicity, are discussed. Finally, we address the challenges in translating rhizosphere research into field applications, encompassing issues of microbial compatibility, formulation and delivery technologies, environmental variability, and adoption barriers. By integrating emerging molecular insights with applied perspectives, this review underscores the transformative potential of rhizosphere microbiome engineering in advancing sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.