Molecular interactions in the rhizosphere of maize
The rhizosphere is the narrow region of soil surrounding plant roots. Roots extract nutrients and water from their soil environment and secrete exudates to the rhizosphere. The community of microorganisms in the rhizosphere and roots contributes to plant growth and health by resource capturing, suppression of pathogens and by enhancing disease resistance. Thus, beneficial interactions between plant roots and rhizosphere microorganisms are important for agricultural productivity.
This research area is funded by the DFG priority program SPP 2089 “Rhizosphere Spatiotemporal Organisation – a Key to Rhizosphere Functions".
Recent publications:
In these experiments we revealed the genetic basis of the reciprocal interactions between root architecture and the composition and diversity of specific microbial taxa in the rhizosphere resulting in improved plant performance under nitrogen deficit. (Yu et al., 2021 Nature Plants, PubMed).
In this work, we determined the role of different root types in mediating beneficial interaction with soil microbes during phosphate acquisition from the soil (Yu et al., 2018 New Phytologist, PubMed).
Contact
Prof. Dr. Frank Hochholdinger
