Harnessing Wheat Rhizosphere Processes to Enhance Nutrient Use Efficiency

Wheat Rhizosphere and Nutrient Use Efficiency

Abstract

Wheat is among the most fertilizer-intensive cereal crop globally, yet a substantial proportion of applied fertilizers are lost through leaching, volatilization and immobilization, contributing to soil degradation, biodiversity loss and greenhouse gas emission while achieving only modest nutrient use efficiency often below 50%. Harnessing rhizosphere biology offers a promising pathway to reconcile yield demands with environmental sustainability. This review synthesizes current understanding of wheat rhizosphere structure and function, including root system architecture plasticity, root exudate chemistry and root-to microbiome signalling, that collectively shape microbial recruitment and nutrient dynamics. Wheat rhizosphere microbiome core functional groups include plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms, diazotrophs and archaea through which they enhance nitrogen fixation, phosphorus mobilization and stress tolerance. Bio-fertilizers combinations and diversified cropping systems can reduce mineral fertilizer requirements by 20-50% while maintaining or improving wheat productivity. Emerging tools, including multi-omics profiling, synthetic microbial consortia, AI-guided precision fertilization and nano-fertilizer microbiome integration are advancing the field from empirical biofertilizer development toward rational, predictive microbiome engineering. Despite this progress, knowledge gaps persist regarding genotype-specific microbiome dynamics, temporal variability across growth stages and agroecological sites and the long-term ecological safety of novel interventions. Bridging these gaps through integrated field-based research will be essential for translating rhizosphere science into scalable, climate-smart nutrient management strategies that reduce wheat’s reliance on synthetic fertilizers without compromising global food security.