what is rhizosphere environment

The rhizosphere environment is the narrow zone of soil surrounding plant roots where biological, physical, and chemical properties differ significantly from bulk soil. It’s rich in root exudates, harbors high microbial density, and shows intense nutrient cycling. pH, oxygen, and moisture vary spatially in this zone, creating microenvironments for microbial niches. This unique environment is shaped by root activity and is central to plant-soil interactions.