Rhizosphere engineering: leading towards a sustainable viticulture?
Leonie Dries,
Maximilian Hendgen,
Sylvia Schnell,
Otmar Löhnertz,
Anne Vortkamp
Affiliations
Leonie Dries
Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Hochschule Geisenheim University, Von-Lade-Str. 1, 65366 Geisenheim
Maximilian Hendgen
Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Hochschule Geisenheim University, Von-Lade-Str. 1, 65366 Geisenheim
Sylvia Schnell
Institute of Applied Microbiology, Research Center for BioSystems, Land Use, and Nutrition (IFZ), Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen,
Otmar Löhnertz
Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Hochschule Geisenheim University, Von-Lade-Str. 1, 65366 Geisenheim
Anne Vortkamp
Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Hochschule Geisenheim University, Von-Lade-Str. 1, 65366 Geisenheim - REACH EUREGIO Start-up Center, University of Muenster, Geiststr. 24-26, 48151 Muenster, Germany. Former affiliation: Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Hochschule Geisenheim University, Von-Lade-Str. 1, 65366 Geisenheim
Microorganisms are a substantial component of the rhizosphere, and the activity and composition of rhizosphere microbial populations markedly affect interactions between plants and the soil environment. In addition, the microbiota of the rhizosphere can positively influence plant development, growth and vitality. In vineyards, management practices influence both grapevine root growth directly and the rhizosphere microbiota, but the exact mode of action is largely unknown. Recently, however, two new research approaches are increasingly coming into focus to enhance grapevine growth and health: plant engineering and rhizosphere engineering. In plant engineering, knowledge about plant-microbiome interactions is used for plant breeding strategies. In rhizosphere engineering, microbial communities are modified by adding specific fertilisers, nutrients or by bio-inoculation with certain bacteria and/or fungi. Taken together, these new methods suggest a potential for reaching a more sustainable development of pesticide-reduced viticulture in the future.
