alleryStart learning →The area of soil affected by root secretions and the microorganisms they encourage is called what?
AThe rhizosphere
BThe pedosphere
CThe lithosphere
DThe hydrosphere
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. The rhizosphere
1. Living organisms greatly affect soil formation and structure.
2. Plant secretions promote the development of microorganisms around the root, and that zone is the rhizosphere.
3. Animals and microorganisms also produce pores and crevices, and roots penetrate crevices to fragment material further.
4. Leaves and other litter falling from plants decompose and add to soil composition, but that happens above rather than around the root.
_Source: OpenStax Biology (1st ed., CC BY 4.0), Ch 31 "Soil and Plant Nutrition", section 31.2 The Soil_
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