A REVIEW ON BENEFICIAL BENEFICIAL BENEFICIAL BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF RHIZOSPHERE BACTERIA ON EFFECTS OF RHIZOSPHERE BACTERIA ON EFFECTS OF RHIZOSPHERE BACTERIA ON

ABSTRACT ABSTRACT ABSTRACT This paper is a review of the benefits of rhizosphere bacteria on plant nutrition. The interaction between plant and phosphate-solubilizing- bacteria is explained in more detail and used as model to illustrate the role that rhizosphere bacteria play on soil nutrient availability. Environmental conditions of rhizosphere and mycorrhizosphere are also discussed. Plants can release carbohydrates, aminoacids, lipids, and vitamins trough their roots to stimulate microorganisms in the soil. The soil volume affected by these root exudates, aproximately 2 mm from the root surface, is termed rhizosphere. Rhizosphere bacteria participate in the geochemical cycling of nutrients and determine their availability for plants and soil microbial community. For instance, in the rhizosphere there are organisms able to fix N 2 forming specialized structures (e.g., Rhizobium and related genera) or simply establishing associative relationships (e.g. Azospirillium, Acetobacter). On the other hand, bacterial ammonifiers and nitrifiers are responsible for the conversion of organic N compounds into inorganic forms (NH 4 + and NO 3 - ) which are available for plants. Rhizosphere bacteria can also enhance the solubility of insoluble minerals that control the availability of phosphorus (native or applied) using for that organic acids or producing phosphatases that act on organic phosphorus pools. The availability of sulfur, iron and manganese are also affected by redox reactions carried out by rhizosphere bacteria. Likewise, chelating agents can control the availability of micronutrients and participate in mechanisms of biocontrol of plant pathogens. Due to these and other benefits on plant growth, some rhizosphere bacteria have been called Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR). The benefits of PGPR have also been obtained, and even enhanced, in presence of mycorrhizal fungi. Some authors have employed the term "mycorrhizosphere" to describe the part of the soil affected by these interactions.