Dictionary MAIN PAGE Text & Grap

Rhizosphere - The rhizosphere is the absorbing root-soil interface. It is the zone, about one millimeter in width, surrounding the epidermis of living root hairs and the boundary cells of mycorrhizae as well as hyphae growing out from some mycorrhizae. The rhizosphere is the zone about one millimeter about the surface of absorbing non-woody roots, mycorrhizae, and the hyphae growing from the mycorrhizae. A constantly changing mix of organisms inhabit the rhizosphere and surrounding soil. Bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, protozoa, slime mold, algae, nematodes, enchytraeid worms, earthworms, millipedes, centipedes, insects, mites, snails, small animals and soil viruses compete constantly for water, food, and space.

See "A Touch of Chemistry "

and "Troubles in the Rhizosphere" for starters.