Microorganisms in the Rhizosphere and Rhizosphere Effect
Microorganisms in the Rhizosphere and Rhizosphere Effect
The rhizosphere region is a highly favorable habitat for the proliferation, activity and metabolism of numerous microorganisms. The rhizosphere microflora can be enumerated intensively by microscopic, cultural and biochemical techniques. Microscopic techniques reveal the types of organisms present and their physical association with the outer root tissue surface / root hairs. The cultural technique most commonly followed is "serial dilution and plate count method" which reveal the quantitative and qualitative population of microflora. At the same time, a cultural method shows the selective enhancement of certain categories of bacteria. The biochemical techniques used are designed to measure a specific change brought about by the plant or by the microflora. The rhizosphere effect on most commonly found microorganisms viz. bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, algae and protozoa is being discussed herewith in the following paragraphs.
A. Bacteria:
The greater rhizosphere effect is observed with bacteria (R: S values ranging from 10-20 or more) than with actinomycetes and fungi. Gram-negative, rod shaped, non-sporulating bacteria which respond to root exudates are predominant in the rhizosphere (Pseudomonas, Agrobacterium). While Gram-positive, rods, Cocci and aerobic spore forming (Bacillus, Clostridium) are comparatively rare in the rhizosphere. The most common genera of bacteria are: Pseudomonas, Arthrobacter, Agrobacterium, Alcaligenes, Azotobacter, Mycobacterium, Flavobacter, Cellulomonas, Micrococcus and others have been reported to be either abundant or sparse in the rhizosphere. From the agronomic point of view, the abundance of nitrogen fixing and phosphate solubilizing bacteria in the rhizosphere assumes a great importance. The aerobic bacteria are relatively less in the rhizosphere because of the reduced oxygen levels due to root respiration. The bacterial population in the rhizosphere is enormous in the ranging form 10^8 to 10^9 per gram of rhizosphere soil. They cover about 4-10% of the total root area occurring profusely on the root hair region and rarely in the root tips. There is predominance of amino acids and growth factors required by bacteria, are readily provided by the root exudates in the region of rhizosphere.
B. Fungi:
In contrast to their effects on bacteria, plant roots do not alter / enhance the total count of fungi in the rhizosphere. However, rhizosphere effect is selective and significant on specific fungal genera (Fusarium, Verticillium, Aspergillus and Penicillium) which are stimulated. The R:S ratio of fungal population is believed to be narrow in most of the plants, usually not exceeding to 10. The soil / serial dilution and plating technique used for the enumeration of rhizosphere fungi may often give erratic results as most of the spore formers produce abundant colonies in culture media giving a wrong picture / estimate (eg Aspergilli and Penicillia). In fact the mycelial forms are more dominant in the field. The zoospore / forming lower fungi such as Phytophthora, Pythium, Aphanomyces are strongly attracted to the roots in response to particular chemical compounds excreted by the roots and cause diseases under favorable conditions. Several fungi eg Gibberella and fujikurio produces phytohormones and influence the plant growth.
C. Actinomycetes, Protozoa and Algae:
Stimulation of actinomycetes in the rhizosphere has not been studied in much detail so far. It is generally understood that the actinomycetes are less stimulated in the rhizosphere than bacteria. However, when antagonistic actinomycetes increase in number they suppress bacteria. Actinomycetes may also increase in number when antibacterial agents are sprayed on the crop. Among the actinomycete, the phosphate solublizers (eg. Nocardia, Streptomyces) have a dominant role to play.
As rule actinomycetes, protozoa and algae are not significantly influenced by their proximity to the plant roots and their R: S ratios rarely exceed 2 to 3: 1 and around roots of plants, R: S ratio for these microorganisms may go to high. Because of large bacterial community, an increase in the number or activity of protozoa is expected in the rhizosphere. Flagellates and amoebae are dominant and ciliates are rare in the region.