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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Wenatchee, Washington » Physiology and Pathology of Tree Fruits Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #348195
Research Project: Utilization of the Rhizosphere Microbiome and Host Genetics to Manage Soil-borne Diseases

Location: Physiology and Pathology of Tree Fruits Research

Title: Advances in understanding tree fruit-rhizosphere microbiome relationships for enhanced plant health

Author
item Mazzola, Mark
item HEWAVITHARANA, SHASHIKA - Washington State University

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/13/2018
Publication Date: 6/30/2019
Citation: Mazzola, M., Hewavitharana, S.S. 2019. Advances in understanding tree fruit-rhizosphere microbiome relationships for enhanced plant health. In: Lang, G., editor. Achieving Sustainable Cultivation of Temperate Zone Free Fruits and Berries. Volume 1: Physiology, Genetics and Cultivation. Cambridge, UK: Burleigh Dodds Science, p. 3-30. https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2018.0040.01.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2018.0040.01

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Host-microbe interactions in the rhizosphere influence numerous processes that determine plant productivity and health. The importance of the rhizo-microbiome for plant function is well known, influencing functions ranging from protection of the plant from pathogen attack to enhanced nutrient availability and uptake. However, until recently the tools available to investigate these associations has been lacking and in many instances the spectrum of plant-rhizo-microbiome interactions and impact on plant production are still not fully understood. The development of new ‘omics’ technologies enhances our ability to design experiments that will more comprehensively address the effects of the rhizosphere microbiome on the relation of plants with their environment. Different elements of the production system have potential to influence the structure and function of the rhizo-microbiome. The plant host itself recruits specific consortia of microorganisms to the rhizosphere through the release of metabolites from roots and metabolic profiles will differ among rootstock genotypes. Manipulation of the rhizosphere microbiome can also be undertaken indirectly by altering the rhizosphere microbiome “seed bank” of microbes in bulk soil through the application of specific soil amendments or practices. Understanding these plant-microbiome relationships could provide the framework for developing effective strategies in the engineering of the rhizo-microbiome to enhance the efficiency of tree fruit cropping system.