Rhizosphere microbial communities: Drivers of nutrient cycling, plant health, and soil fertility
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26832/24566632.2026.1102015Keywords:
Holobiont, Microbial consortia, Plant Growth–Promoting Bacteria (PGPB), Root Exudates, Symbiotic interactionsAbstract
Soil microbial communities, particularly those inhabiting the rhizosphere, play a fundamental role in regulating nutrient cycling, plant health, and soil fertility within agroecosystems. The rhizosphere represents a biologically active microenvironment enriched with root exudates such as sugars, amino acids, and organic acids, which stimulate microbial colonization, metabolic activity, and complex plant–microbe interactions. These interactions drive essential biogeochemical processes, including nitrogen fixation, nitrification, denitrification, and nutrient mineralization, thereby sustaining soil productivity and ecosystem stability. Diverse microbial groups including nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, phosphate-solubilizing microbes, zinc-mobilizing bacteria and fungi, and mycorrhizal fungi enhance nutrient bioavailability by transforming nutrients into plant-accessible forms and improving nutrient uptake efficiency. This review presents the management practices strongly influence rhizosphere microbial composition and ecological network dynamics, with organic and no-till systems generally supporting more stable and complex fungal and bacterial interactions compared to conventional systems. Functional microbial consortia, particularly plant growth–promoting bacteria and indigenous bio-inoculants, contribute to soil fertility through nutrient mobilization, biofilm formation, and improved root architecture. Additionally, microbial colonization and signaling processes, mediated by root exudates and molecular communication, regulate both beneficial symbioses and pathogenic interactions in the rhizosphere. Environmental factors, host plant traits, and biotic stresses such as nematode parasitism further shape microbial community structure and functional pathways, including nitrogen fixation and pathogen-related mechanisms. Overall, a diverse and active soil microbiome enhances nutrient cycling, soil structure, and resilience to environmental stresses, reducing reliance on chemical inputs.
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