Manipulating the soil microbiome to increase soil health and plant fertility

Authors: CHAPARRO, JACQUELINE - Colorado State University; SHEFLIN, AMY - Colorado State University; Manter, Daniel; VIVANCO, JORGE - Colorado State University

Submitted to: Biology and Fertility of Soils
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/21/2012
Publication Date: 5/13/2012
Citation: Chaparro, J.M., Sheflin, A.M., Manter, D.K., Vivanco, J.M. 2012. Manipulating the soil microbiome to increase soil health and plant fertility. Biology and Fertility of Soils. 48:489-499.

Interpretive Summary: - A variety of soil factors are known to increase nutrient availability and plant productivity. The most influential, though less studied, might be the organisms comprising the soil microbial community in the area known as the rhizosphere. The rhizosphere is the zone surrounding the roots of plants where complex interactions occur between the roots (catalyzed by root exudates), soil and microorganisms. Compounds found in the root exudates act as substrates and signaling molecules for microbes creating a complex and interwoven relationship between plants and the microbiome. While individual microorganisms such as endophytes, symbionts, pathogens and PGPRs are increasingly featured in the literature; the larger community of soil microorganisms, or soil microbiome, may have more far-reaching effects. Each microorganism functions in coordination with the overall soil microbiome to influence plant health and crop productivity. Increasing evidence indicates that plants can shape the soil microbiome through the secretion of root exudates. The resulting molecular dance of communication fluctuates according to the plant development stage, proximity to neighboring species, management techniques and many other factors. This review seeks to summarize the current knowledge on this topic, as well as, discusses some of the current biological amendments available to agriculture that target the soil microbiome in an effort to reduce inputs and increase yield.

Technical Abstract: - A variety of soil factors are known to increase nutrient availability and plant productivity. The most influential, though less studied, might be the organisms comprising the soil microbial community in the area known as the rhizosphere. The rhizosphere is the zone surrounding the roots of plants where complex interactions occur between the roots (catalyzed by root exudates), soil and microorganisms. Compounds found in the root exudates act as substrates and signaling molecules for microbes creating a complex and interwoven relationship between plants and the microbiome. While individual microorganisms such as endophytes, symbionts, pathogens and PGPRs are increasingly featured in the literature; the larger community of soil microorganisms, or soil microbiome, may have more far-reaching effects. Each microorganism functions in coordination with the overall soil microbiome to influence plant health and crop productivity. Increasing evidence indicates that plants can shape the soil microbiome through the secretion of root exudates. The resulting molecular dance of communication fluctuates according to the plant development stage, proximity to neighboring species, management techniques and many other factors. This review seeks to summarize the current knowledge on this topic, as well as, discusses some of the current biological amendments available to agriculture that target the soil microbiome in an effort to reduce inputs and increase yield.