Plant-Driven Soil Dynamics: Exploring the Role of Roots, Fungi and Soil Traffic in Shaping the Soil Structure
Manisha Negi, Saurabh Sharma, Manpreet Singh
Abstract
This review examines the intricate relationship between plants and soil structure, highlighting how various plant interactions influence soil properties and dynamics. Plants significantly modify soil structure through root growth, organic matter inputs and the establishment of mycorrhizal associations. Root systems promote soil aggregation, enhancing porosity and aeration while improving water infiltration and nutrient cycling. In addition to root effects, soil traffic and compaction pose significant challenges to soil structure. The review discusses how mechanical forces from agricultural practices and foot traffic can lead to soil compaction, adversely affecting root development and microbial activity. Compacted soils limit pore space, hinder water movement, and reduce overall soil health, which in turn sways plant growth and productivity. The role of mycorrhizal fungi in this dynamic is also explored, as these symbiotic relationships can assuage the negative effects of compaction by enhancing nutrient uptake and improving soil structure through hyphal networks. By deciphering the interactions between plant roots, soil structure, traffic, compaction, and mycorrhizae, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how these factors collectively influence soil health and agricultural sustainability. The findings emphasize the need for integrated management practices that consider the complex interplay of these elements to enhance soil resilience and productivity.