Plant-Microbe Interactions in the Rhizosphere

The rhizosphere is the part of the soil directly influenced by the root system. It is intensively colonised by microorganisms and represents an environmental hot-spot in which the interactions between organisms reach a very complex level. There is a great deal of interest in understanding and manipulating these interactions with a view to development of new agricultural strategies and plant protection practices. In recent years the application of advanced technologies have permitted rapid progress in this field. In this volume expert authors review current research on diverse aspects of the interactions which occur in the rhizosphere between the host plant and the microorganisms. The chapters focus on specific phenomena, from the biochemical and genetical level to complex inter-organism communication. The authors provide valuable insights into phenomena which are exemplary for diverse types of interaction and highlight emerging research providing important new insights into the interaction networks. Topics include: bacterial metabolism in the rhizosphere, the role of plasmids, plant immunity, the MTI-ETI model, endofungal bacteria, plant-nematode interactions, and apple replant disease. This excellent volume is recommended for anyone involved in plant science or environmental microbiology and is indispensable for scientists working in the areas of soil microbiology and plant-microbe interactions.