Communication between plant roots and the soil microbiome; involvement in plant growth and development

Abstract

Root-associated microbial communities have strong influences on the health and development of plants. Through the secretion of root exudates, the soil microbiome is impacted by plants, thereby steering plant-soil reactions. Considering the importance of root exudates in the establishment of symbiotic associations in the rhizosphere, it is quite clear that understanding the interaction between plant roots and the soil microbiome may prove beneficial. Here, we review the interaction between plant root exudates and microbial communities in the soil. The influence of these bioactive molecules on the structure and function of soil microbes is also considered. We additionally, deliberate on how plants determine the soil microbiome and how they extract nutrients from endophytes for the augmentation of their growth and development. A good perspective of the communication between plant roots and the soil microbiome could lead to increased crop production, thereby limiting the need for synthetic fertilizers.