Let’s talk about the plant microbiome! We often think of microbes as pesky little guys that cause disease, but many microbes are actually beneficial for plants (and our own) growth!
The plant microbiome can be split up into different parts
Phyllosphere- above ground
Rhizosphere- below ground
Endosphere- internal tissue
Many researchers are working on understanding plant-microbe relationships, but there is still so much left to learn!
The phyllosphere is considered to be nutrient poor compared to the rhizosphere. However, the phyllosphere has a more dynamic environment because the microbes are subject to abiotic changes like temp, humidity, and light.
One big issue that plants run into is that they need nitrogen for their DNA and proteins, but the nitrogen in the air is unusable. So plants turn to their rhizosphere to convert N2 into ammonia which can be metabolized
The rhizosphere also has other benefits. It helps plants get nutrients, adjusts the environment, and protects against more harmful bacteria.
