Rhizosphere Microbiome: Interactions with Plant and Influence in Triggering Plant Disease Resistance

The area of soil exposed to root activity is called the rhizosphere which harbors diverse microbes that can aid in plant growth and resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses. Rhizosphere microbiome is defined as all the microbial species found in the rhizosphere, which have one of the most complex and diverse ecosystems on the planet. These rhizosphere microbial communities interact with the plants as beneficial or detrimental interactions. Beneficial rhizosphere microbes promote plant growth through abiotic stress tolerance, absorption of nutrients in plants and antagonism against several phytopathogens, while parasitic interaction causes diseases of plants which are economically important, leading to challenges in food security and reduction in productivity. In this chapter, we have discussed in detail the various interactions on microbe-plant and microbe-microbe interaction and also the role of rhizosphere microbiome in plant health and resistance.