The rhizosphere is regarded as the soil compartment with the highest level of nutrient flux through a multitude of interactions between plants, soil, and (micro)biota. Roots and associated (micro)organisms interact with heterogeneous soil environments that provide habitats for biota on various scales. High metabolic activity and nutrient cycling can be observed from single root tips to whole root systems which makes the rhizosphere of central importance for ecosystem functioning. Despite tremendous methodological and research progress, the understanding of self-regulatory mechanisms in the rhizosphere remains challenging due to complexity of interactions and dynamics in the plant-soil interface.

In this session, we welcome studies on plant-soil-biota interactions that consider soil physical, chemical, and biological aspects with a focus on the involvement of microorganisms and micro-fauna in rhizosphere processes. Studies on rhizosphere food webs, symbiotic associations, and pathogenesis are very welcome. We especially encourage contributions that examine spatial aspects of interactions from individual particles to soil aggregates and from single-cell to community or ecosystem context through imaging and modelling approaches.

Solicited speakers: Doris Vetterlein (Umweltforschungszentrum Halle, Germany) and Angela Sessitsch (Austrian Institute of Technology, Austria)