Soils and Plant Roots

Abstract

The interaction of soil and root system of plants is considered in this chapter. Particularly, the hierarchical structure of soils and soil agents, which stabilize it at different organization levels, pore classifications, depending on their size, origin, and functionality are presented. Regarding the plants, soil pores were shown to act as a medium, in which the root system is formed. The pores provide a transport of water and nutrients on the one hand and gas exchange on the other hand. The roots are involved to aggregation of soil particles, and the waste products of plant stabilize their shape. During growth and development of the root system, the waste products are the medium for the expansion of symbiotic and nonsymbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The structure of root and its constituent tissues has been considered. Special attention was paid to the porous structure of cell membranes, which carry out, in particular, accumulating and transporting functions. Mass transport in the soil–root system has been also analyzed. It is shown, that higher hydraulic conductivity of the roots in a comparison with the soil is the necessary condition to provide water maturation by the plants.