Unearthing the Modern Trends and Concepts of Rhizosphere Microbiome in Relation to Plant Productivity

Abstract

The rhizosphere microbiome is crucial for plant growth and health, providing defense against plethora of surrounding potential pathogens, improving crops’ nutrient acquisition, and aiding in withstanding series of abiotic stresses. Exchange of resources between plants and their associated soil environment is supported by a pivotal interface termed as rhizosphere. Plants being sessile are incessantly exposed to a diverse array of abiotic and biotic stresses under natural conditions, thereby acting as major bottlenecks to hinder their growth and production. However, it is possible to engineer plant rhizosphere microbiome as revealed by the recent advances in research in context to the plant–microbe interactions. Therefore, shaping of rhizosphere microbiome for developing promising strategies can be vital in relation to plant productivity. Furthermore, exploring the structure and dynamics of plant rhizosphere microbiome represents an exciting frontier of research to protect plants from potential phytopathogens in a sustainable manner. Advances in molecular tools are beneficial to unravel the concepts of plant–microbe association, which could act as a key driver in drafting the future “biofertilizers.” Owing to the current challenges in crop production, there is an urgent need to understand plant–microbiome interactions in the rhizosphere to bring microbiome-based strategies for incorporating beneficial resident microbial communities into practice. The present chapter uncovers the concepts of plant rhizosphere microbiome, its diversity, abundance, composition, and interplay with the plants. Additionally, elucidation of plant rhizosphere microbiome engineering and various factors and techniques involved therein for enhancing plant productivity have been presented, thereby helping meet food requirements of exponentially growing global population. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2023.