The Rhizosphere

In the rhizosphere, exudates from plants and microorganisms as well as stable soil organic matter influence processes that can control plant growth, microbial infections, and nutrient uptake. As the chemistry and biochemistry of these substances becomes more and more clear, their study promises to shed light on the complex interactions between plant and soil microflora. Maintaining the interdisciplinary approach of the first edition, The Rhizosphere: Biochemistry and Organic Substances at the Soil-Plant Interface, Second Edition summarizes information on soil science, agronomy, plant nutrition, plant physiology, microbiology, and biochemistry to provide a comprehensive and updated overview of the most recent advances in the field. Revised and expanded, the second edition presents new information on areas that are only recently gaining importance for understanding the complex biochemistry of the soil-microbe-plant interaction. New topics include the role of nutrient availability in regulating root morphology and architecture, the involvement of root membrane activities in determining and responding to the nutritional conditions in the rhizosphere, molecular signals between root-root and root-microbe, and gene flow and the evolution of rhizosphere organisms and their coevolution with plants. The book also covers mathematical modeling and methodological approaches to the study of the rhizosphere. Information in all chapters derives from a molecular approach which contributes to a better understanding of the biochemical processes occurring at the plant-soil interface. Drawing on the expertise of pioneers in the field, The Rhizosphere: Biochemistry and Organic Substances at the Soil-Plant Interface, Second Edition contributes to the vigorous interchange between rhizosphere biochemistry and molecular biology to provide the most current information and stimulate further interest and research on this fascinating topic.