The application of fractal geometry to describe soil structure is an increasingly useful tool for better understanding the performance of soil systems. Only a few studies, however, have focused on the structure of rhizospheric zones, where energy flow and nutrient recycling most frequently occur. We used fractal dimensions to investigate the characteristics of particle-size distribution (PSD) i...

The aim of this work, to estimate the External exposure, ingestion Exposure and inhalation exposure dose rate from gamma ray released from Natural Radionuclides in cultivated, uncultivated and phosphate soil samples in the area surrounding EL-Naser Factory for phosphate in El-Mahamid, Idfu, Aswan, Upper Egyp by using modeling, this model studied the exposure gamma radiation from different natur...

Plants and microbes interact in various relationships which have both adverse and beneficial effects on plant growth and microbial communities. Many processes of these interactions occur at or near the root–soil interface, which is known as the rhizosphere. The rhizosphere is defined as the soil region under the immediate influence of plant roots. Many studies suggest that the microbial communi...

Soil microbes play a fundamental role in forest ecosystems and respond rapidly to changes in the environment. Simultaneously with the temperature increase the climate change scenarios also predict an intensified hydrological cycle for the Baltic Sea runoff region. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of elevated air humidity on the top soil microbial community structure of a silver bi...

The diverse genetic and functional groups of the extensive soil microbial populations are known to carry out activities exerting a critical impact on soil functions (Barea et al., 2005b; Avis et al., 2008). Among other activities, soil rnicroorganisms propel the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients and organic matter and improve plant performance and soil quality, key issues for agroecosystem se...

Pseudomonas spp. have the capacity to utilize siderophores produced by diverse species of bacteria and fungi, and the present study was initiated to determine if siderophores produced by rhizosphere microorganisms enhance the levels of iron available to a strain of Pseudomonas putida in this natural habitat. We used a previously described transcriptional fusion (pvd-inaZ) between an iron-regula...

The rhizosphere is a densely populated area in which plant roots must compete with invading root systems of neighboring plants for space, water, and mineral nutrients, and with other soil-borne organisms, including bacteria and fungi. Root-root and root-microbe communications are continuous occurrences in this biologically active soil zone. How do roots manage to simultaneously communicate with...

Soil is the sink and source of heavy metals (both geogenic and anthropogenic) and plants are the ecosystem regulators, balancing the chemistry of life on earth. However, roots are the only connection between soil and plants, which are the real engineers of ecosystem dynamics responsible for environmental balance and stability. The plant-soil interface termed as ‘rhizosphere’ is a typical zone o...

Fertilizer-induced reductions in CO(2) flux from soil ((F)CO(2)) in forests have previously been attributed to decreased carbon allocation to roots, and decreased decomposition as a result of nitrogen suppression of fungal activity. Here, we present evidence that decreased microbial respiration in the rhizosphere may also contribute to (F)CO(2) reductions in fertilized forest soils. Fertilizati...

Silicon (Si) is important in mitigating abiotic and biotic plant stresses, yet many agricultural soils, such as those of the rainfed production areas of the South African sugar industry, are deficient in plant-available Si, making Si supplementation necessary. However, Si uptake by sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) is limited even where silicate amendments improve soil Si status. Rhizosphere p...