Abstract
The interdisciplinary scientific network, RhizosPHARE has been recently created by INRAE (the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment) to better understand the role of rhizodeposits in the communication between plants and soil organisms. Plants and pathogenic or beneficial soil microorganisms form dynamic associations in constant interactions, mutually influencing one other, and affecting plant health and soil functions. Rhizodeposits - i.e. any organic material released by roots into the soil over plant’s life - directly shape the communities of microorganisms surrounding roots and influence plant development, and plant susceptibility to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the function, nature, and mode of action of rhizodeposits remain poorly understood. It is crucial to address key challenges to elucidate the principles and complexity of this communication in the soil and to establish a functional relationship between the nature of rhizodeposits and the regulation of biotic interactions in the rhizosphere. To consider soil interactions as a whole, interdisciplinary approaches must be developed at the intersection of physiology, pathology, chemical ecology, microbiology, chemistry, physics, ecophysiology. RhizosPHARE is an interdisciplinary network that aims to develop new methods and knowledge about the role of rhizodeposits on communication within the rhizosphere. The objectives are (i) to bring together an interdisciplinary scientific community, (ii) to favour the sharing of expertise, (iii) to promote interdisciplinary approaches to overcome barriers and develop new concepts in plant health and adaptation to environments, (iv) to build collaborative projects around new research questions and international collaborations. In order to bring together this interdisciplinary scientific community, the RhizosPHARE network organises annual scientific meeting and themed webinars. You are welcome to join us.