The Rhizosphere: an interaction between plant roots and soil biology

In this episode Octavia takes a look at the Rhizosphere - a term given to the thin region of soil around a root hair where interactions occur between the root and microorganisms within the soil. Using the energy from light, the plant converts carbon dioxide and water into sugar and oxygen (6CO2 + 6H2O ⇒ 6O2 + C6H12O6) – this is photosynthesis.

Rather than using all this sugar for growth, they secrete some of it into the Rhizosphere, along with proteins and other substances – these sugary solutions are known as exudates. You might think that this is a waste of valuable energy, but they are actually attracting a microscopic workforce into the area, a colony of bacteria and fungi that help the plant extract nutrients from the soil that would have otherwise been unobtainable to the roots alone.

This marvellous symbiotic relationship leads to more complex interactions; it acts as a disease suppressant for the plant and forms the foundations of the soil food web. This web is vital for nutrient cycling and supports the growth of new life.

Modern farming practices can damage this soil food web, often destroying the delicate interactions between plants and their resident microorganisms. These practices are having devastating effects upon plant health, crop yields, soil stability and wildlife and are not currently sustainable.

At 59 Degrees we are paving the way forward for a healthier soil community. We believe that in order to promote healthy, happy plants, we need healthy, happy microorganisms.
We grow communities of these unique soil microorganisms that you can use directly in your soil and on your plants – from salad crops to mighty oaks. By adding this beneficial life to your soil you will transform the health of your plants.

[flatsville]

Underrated explanation.

It's amazing how many self-styled YouTube garden gurus with big followings don't understang this yet.

[jonathanbuck]

Concise, articulate, informative. Thanks!

[smallbrainyaro]

Helped a lot. Crystal clear explanation. Cheers!

[pingpaj]

Very good and well made video! Thank you

[lunaluz]

Thank you for making this quick and cute I was just doing my plant science lecture and understood nothing till I saw ur video!!!

[franklee]

Excellent video. Geological history of clays is very interesting. More please.

[kriptoniteXD]

This video deserves more attention! Really good!

[flatsville]

This ia all going to get more interesting with the recent discovey of a rhizophagy feeding cycle between plants & micro organisms.

[jeraldaguirre]

can i directly foliar spray or water my plants with sugar mixture..?

[elizabethglover]

How is it you only have 356 (now 357) subscribers?! Great content, fantastic visuals.

[robmarkovitch]

Keep making videos!!! Save the world!!!

[violettav]

thank you for making ecology and plant science so sexy. A very great work and a hypnoticly nice accent😍

[infiniteadam]

Love your Videos, just found them Dec. 25 2022 when I woke and and thought "what is humas"

[primelricafrente]

Cool... Is it the brother of mycorrhizal? And also very nice accent :)

[brandonprentice]

Next time somone asks me what plant food they need. Im just gonna show them this video

[jimmyrichardson]

Without the soil no life fungi etc. Without the life in the soil no soil. When are people going to get it?? You can’t have one without the other. They had to be put there at the same time. Just like baking a cake flour eggs sugar and butter take one out or to much of one it’s ruined. Life didn’t evolve it was created like a cake. You see a cake you ask “who made it?” Not how did it evolve?

[finianmakepeace]

Hi Octavia, we love what you are doing. Let us know if you might want to be a guest speaker at our Speaker Training Course

[tessadurhambrooks]

This is a great video that I will use as an intro to the rhizosphere in my course. I cannot help but share that I wish the comment 'modern farming practices are detrimental to this web' was not included as it is not supported with any evidence. As it is stated, it's vague at best and misleading at worst and I think it leads to more misconception than clarity with respect to the current state of the research. Clearly, fertilizing practices, farming methods, and the addition of chemical agents to control pests affects microbial community size and structure. However, it is not as easy to determine whether these changes are 'good' or 'bad' to soil health, microbial community health, and/or crop health. I will provide my students with some of the research about this topic so they can put the statement in this video in context. Please consider revising the video to clearly indicate the evidence used to support the conclusion made or remove the statement completely.

[budiputra-ly]

Multiverse system engage with the cycles energies exist of trees component and environments and to connect the Allah thrones of head whale and angels Head which flying bring God Throne of God unlimited Gift to earth wealthiness through Jonah and ambergris fixative perfume of vomit whales for 100.000 plants