Harnessing the rhizosheath for resilient crop production

Crops are increasingly exposed to drought and nutrient deficiencies, necessitating enhanced resistance to adverse conditions to meet the growing demands of the global population. While crop productivity has been greatly improved by integrating traits for high yield and stress tolerance through breeding, yield plateaus are now being observed. The rhizosheath, with physical and biological properties distinct from bulk soil, presents a promising target for enhanced tolerance to abiotic stresses such as drought and nutrient deficiencies. This multifunctional region contributes substantially to stress resistance and nutrient cycling, playing a pivotal role in the context of climate change and diminishing supplies of non-renewable fertilisers. We highlight the potential of the rhizosheath as a valuable breeding target to enhance crop productivity under diverse challenging environmental conditions.