What is the Rhizosphere ?

_ The term Rhizosphere was coined by Lorenz Hiltner in

1904
_ The region of the soil around roots in which the
maximum microbial growth & activities operate is called
Rhizosphere
_ The rhizosphere contains many bacteria
that feed on sloughed-off plants cells, termed
rhizodeposition, and the proteins and sugar
released by roots
_ Root surface together with closely adhering
soil particles is called Rhizoplane
_ Soil which is not part of rhizosphere is
called bulk soil
 Rhizosphere Structure
- The Rhizosphere can be divided into:
• Inner zone: It is also known
as Endorhizosphere. It is very close to the
root and includes the portion of cortex and
epidermis which the microorganisms may
occupy between the vacant space is known as
Apoplastic space.
• Outer zone: It is also known
as Ectorhizoshere. This layer is adjacent to
the portion of the epidermis
 Microbial Activities
Increase In The Rhizosphere
_ Outer epidermal walls of living root
hairs and all plant roots are cover with
mucilage and cuticle
_ Organic and inorganic compounds
are diffused out (root exudations)
_ Root hairs are sloughed off during
secondary thickening
_ Root tissue and organic or inorganic
compounds constitute a food base which
are generally lacking in non-rhizosphere
soil
 Microbial activities increase in the Rhizosphere

_ Outer epidermal walls of living root

hairs and all plant roots are cover with
mucilage and cuticle
_ Organic and inorganic compounds
are diffused out (root exudations)
_ Root hairs are sloughed off during
secondary thickening
_ Root tissue and organic or inorganic
compounds constitute a food base which
are generally lacking in non-rhizosphere
soil
 References

• The Rhizosphere - Roots, Soil and Everything In Between | Learn Science at Scitable (nature.c
om)

• Rhizosphere – Wikipedia

• (PDF) Microbial diversity and microbial activity in the rhizosphere (researchgate.net)