Plant–Rhizosphere Interactions
A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Protection and Biotic Interactions".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 448
Special Issue Editors
Interests: molecular physiology of vegetative desiccation tolerance (resurrection plants); plant–rhizosphere interactions in resurrection plants; drought tolerance in crops; agricultural biotechnology applications
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: application of omics in plant-microbe interaction; biogeochemistry of rhizosphere soil; sustainable and resilient agricultural systems
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Research on plant–rhizosphere interactions is gaining much traction. For the uninitiated, such interactions refer to the complex relationships between plant roots and the surrounding soil environment, including microorganisms, nutrients, and other soil components. These interactions influence plant growth, soil health, and nutrient cycling, playing a crucial role in ecosystems and agricultural productivity. While it has long been known that beneficial microbes such as mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobacteria establish symbiotic relationships with plant roots, thereby enhancing nutrient availability and uptake and improving soil structure, they can also suppress harmful pathogens and mitigate environmental stresses. Plants provide carbon for soil microorganisms, primarily through the release of root exudates that influence the structure of rhizosphere microbial communities. Recent advances have shown that rhizosphere interactions support plant growth and adaptation to abiotic stressors, including drought, salinity, and heavy metal contamination, by modulating hormone levels and activating defense mechanisms. They are thus increasingly sought after as green agents in promoting crop health and stress resilience and reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. In natural ecosystems they assist in plant conservation by, inter alia, facilitating decomposition of soil organic matter, playing a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. As climate change and land degradation threaten global food security and ecosystem stability, understanding and optimizing rhizosphere interactions is crucial for developing resilient plant systems that can withstand environmental fluctuations. We thus propose that understanding and promoting beneficial plant–rhizosphere interactions is essential for achieving sustainable land management and advancing agricultural and ecological resilience. We invite you to participate in advancing our knowledge in understanding plant–rhizosphere interactions.
Prof. Dr. Jill M. Farrant
Guest Editor
Dr. Shandry M. Tebele
Guest Editor Assistant
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- plant growth-promoting-microbes (PGPM)
- mycorrhizal fungi
- rhizosphere
- root exudates
- biofertilizer
- abiotic stress
- sustainable agriculture
- microbiomes
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