ENGINEERING THE RHIZOSPHERE - EXPRESSING A BIAS

The rhizosphere is a largely unexplored frontier for genetic engineeri ng, Processes in the rhizosphere influence plant disease, plant nutrit ion and root architecture by affecting the dynamics of microbial popul ations and communities, There is interest in engineering plants to man ipulate the rhizosphere for numerous reasons, Such plants might resist soilborne pathogens more effectively, be better hosts to beneficial m icroorganisms, remediate toxic waste, or attract communities of soil m icroorganisms that enhance plant health. Central among the strategies to engineer the rhizosphere is the effort to create a 'biased rhizosph ere', which involves engineering plants to secrete nutrients that spec ifically enhance the growth of desirable microorganisms.