Plant–soil interactions: an overview

Publication date: 06/08/2018
Extent: 12 pages

Contributions by: Richard W. Zobel, USDA-ARS, USA

Chapter synopsis: Plant–soil interactions are the prime mechanism for integrating the impacts of the aerial environment, animals (including plant shoot symbionts and pathogens), plant shoot physiology, plant root physiology and structure, the soil microbiome and soil chemistry and structure into what is commonly termed soil health. This chapter addresses three aspects of this chain: interactions of the shoot with the roots, interactions between the roots and the microbiome, and interactions between the root system and the soil physical and structural characteristics. The chapter looks ahead to future developments in this area of research.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2017.0033.15