Rhizosheath: Roles, Formation Processes and Investigation Methods
Climate change negatively affects crop productivity, threatening the survival of entire populations from many vulnerable hotspot regions of the world with the risk of exacerbating hunger, malnutrition and international inequality. Selecting plant species manifesting abiotic stress-tolerant adaptive...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-11-01
|
| Series: | Soil Systems |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-8789/7/4/106 |
| _version_ | 1797379326277058560 |
|---|---|
| author | Rosangela Addesso Adriano Sofo Mariana Amato |
| author_facet | Rosangela Addesso Adriano Sofo Mariana Amato |
| author_sort | Rosangela Addesso |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Climate change negatively affects crop productivity, threatening the survival of entire populations from many vulnerable hotspot regions of the world with the risk of exacerbating hunger, malnutrition and international inequality. Selecting plant species manifesting abiotic stress-tolerant adaptive traits represents a challenge towards ensuring that crops are more resistant and resilient to environmental perturbations. The rhizosheath, defined as the complex of root hair, exudates and soil that strongly adheres to plant roots, is a promising root adaptive trait in facing conditions of water and nutrient deficits, as well as acidic soil. Several beneficial ecological functions are attributed to the rhizosheath, such as enhancing water and nutrient uptake; protecting from dehydration, heat and acid stresses; and stimulating microbial activities. It has been described in several Angiosperm species, including crops grown in severe habitats. The aim of this review was to collect the relevant literature produced to date regarding rhizosheaths, focusing on (i) the various processes involved in its formation, including both physicochemical and biological ones; (ii) the evolutionary and ecological role of rhizosheaths; and (iii) the most frequently used methodologies for its investigation and characterization. The present work provides a comprehensive overview of this revolutionary root’s great agronomic importance in order to address future research aiming to fill the existing knowledge gaps and define a common and shared methodology. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:22:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f58f1d9dcf0f45d3b417faa419607fcd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2571-8789 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:22:37Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Soil Systems |
| spelling | doaj.art-f58f1d9dcf0f45d3b417faa419607fcd2023-12-22T14:43:04ZengMDPI AGSoil Systems2571-87892023-11-017410610.3390/soilsystems7040106Rhizosheath: Roles, Formation Processes and Investigation MethodsRosangela Addesso0Adriano Sofo1Mariana Amato2Department of European and Mediterranean Cultures (DiCEM), Università degli Studi della Basilicata, Via Lanera 20, 75100 Matera, ItalyDepartment of European and Mediterranean Cultures (DiCEM), Università degli Studi della Basilicata, Via Lanera 20, 75100 Matera, ItalySchool of Agriculture, Forestry, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, ItalyClimate change negatively affects crop productivity, threatening the survival of entire populations from many vulnerable hotspot regions of the world with the risk of exacerbating hunger, malnutrition and international inequality. Selecting plant species manifesting abiotic stress-tolerant adaptive traits represents a challenge towards ensuring that crops are more resistant and resilient to environmental perturbations. The rhizosheath, defined as the complex of root hair, exudates and soil that strongly adheres to plant roots, is a promising root adaptive trait in facing conditions of water and nutrient deficits, as well as acidic soil. Several beneficial ecological functions are attributed to the rhizosheath, such as enhancing water and nutrient uptake; protecting from dehydration, heat and acid stresses; and stimulating microbial activities. It has been described in several Angiosperm species, including crops grown in severe habitats. The aim of this review was to collect the relevant literature produced to date regarding rhizosheaths, focusing on (i) the various processes involved in its formation, including both physicochemical and biological ones; (ii) the evolutionary and ecological role of rhizosheaths; and (iii) the most frequently used methodologies for its investigation and characterization. The present work provides a comprehensive overview of this revolutionary root’s great agronomic importance in order to address future research aiming to fill the existing knowledge gaps and define a common and shared methodology.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-8789/7/4/106rhizosheathsustainable agricultureclimate changeroot adaptive traitrhizosheath formationrhizosheath benefits |
| spellingShingle | Rosangela Addesso Adriano Sofo Mariana Amato Rhizosheath: Roles, Formation Processes and Investigation Methods Soil Systems rhizosheath sustainable agriculture climate change root adaptive trait rhizosheath formation rhizosheath benefits |
| title | Rhizosheath: Roles, Formation Processes and Investigation Methods |
| title_full | Rhizosheath: Roles, Formation Processes and Investigation Methods |
| title_fullStr | Rhizosheath: Roles, Formation Processes and Investigation Methods |
| title_full_unstemmed | Rhizosheath: Roles, Formation Processes and Investigation Methods |
| title_short | Rhizosheath: Roles, Formation Processes and Investigation Methods |
| title_sort | rhizosheath roles formation processes and investigation methods |
| topic | rhizosheath sustainable agriculture climate change root adaptive trait rhizosheath formation rhizosheath benefits |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-8789/7/4/106 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rosangelaaddesso rhizosheathrolesformationprocessesandinvestigationmethods AT adrianosofo rhizosheathrolesformationprocessesandinvestigationmethods AT marianaamato rhizosheathrolesformationprocessesandinvestigationmethods |