Symposium # 21: The Rhizosphere: Top-Down and Bottom-Up Approaches.

Organized by: Z.G. Cardon and J.Whitbeck.
Sponsored by: Soil Ecology Section.
Wednesday, August 9, 2000
8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Ballroom III - Cliff Lodge

Study of the ecology of the rhizosphere is, by necessity, interdisciplinary. The rhizosphere is most often defined as the volume of soil most heavily influenced by the root, and thus the study of the rhizosphere depends on understanding plant biology, soil physical and chemical properties and their interactions with roots, and soil community structure, dynamics, and function. Summary volumes from the early 90 s (e.g. Lynch, 1990, and Box Jr. and Hammond, 1990) reflect this interdisciplinary nature, with contributions focusing on root form and function, carbon allocation belowground, microbial-faunal interactions, cropping systems, rhizosphere processes, root disease, and soil structure. Furthermore, these volumes emphasize that not only is rhizosphere research academically interdisciplinary, but also it has wide applied value for natural and agricultural system management alike. We propose a symposium focusing on recent developments in rhizosphere research. New experimental techniques for analyzing key rhizosphere processes will be presented, along with new views of the links between rhizodeposition under elevated CO₂ and soil organic matter dynamics, and novel connections between soil food webs, soils management, NPP, and biodiversity.

Our immediate objective is to bring together experts from three general backgrounds (plant biology, soil physics and chemistry, and soil community ecology) to foster a stimulating symposial conversation of interest to plant, soil, microbial, mesofaunal, and global change ecologists. Such a conversation between disciplines specifically supports ESA theme "Advancing and Communicating Ecology" by fostering communication among rhizosphere researchers of varied background. Moreover, such a rhizosphere symposium should draw an audience of scientists with a broad range of basic and applied research interests and, we hope, stimulate further collaboration between soil, plant, and ecosystem ecologists beyond the rhizosphere.