Asian Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition

The rhizosphere, the skin of soil that has plant roots, is a dynamic habitat that is rich in various microorganisms that are critical in the health of the soil, recycling of nutrients and the yield of the plants. These symbiotically-interacting rhizosphere microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and mycorrhizae, assist root plant transformation and mobilization of important nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and micronutrients. Useful microbes like Rhizobium, Azospirillum, Azotobacter, phosphate solubilizing bacteria, and plant growth-promoting substances increase the efficiency of nutrient uptake by mechanisms like nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization and production of plant growth promoting substances. The mycorrhizal fungi especially the arbuscular mycorrhizae which is a type of mycorrhizal fungus enhances the nutrient and water uptake area of the root, as well as the plant tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. More so, rhizosphere microorganisms help to aggregate soil, decompose organic matter and to inhibit soil-borne pathogens thereby enhancing sustainable soil fertility. The rhizosphere microbiome is important to comprehend and control in order to develop agricultural practices that are environmentally friendly and that do not depend on chemical fertilizers but that ensure the sustainability of the soil in the long term. Therefore, the utilization of the power of rhizosphere microorganisms is one of the cornerstone solutions of sustainable agriculture and environmental sustainability.