Kaiwen Liang

Comprehensive Utilization Center, Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resouces, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China
Author    Correspondence author
Molecular Soil Biology, 2026, Vol. 17, No. 3   
Received: 22 Mar., 2026    Accepted: 25 Apr., 2026    Published: 08 May, 2026

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

The rhizosphere of rapeseed (Brassica napus) serves as a critical interface connecting plant roots with soil microorganisms and nutrient cycling processes, playing a pivotal role in regulating crop productivity and soil ecological functions. This review systematically examines the rapeseed rhizosphere ecosystem, covering its formation mechanisms, root development, rhizosphere assembly, and the characteristics of carbon input and organic matter transformation driven by root exudates. Particular emphasis is placed on the assembly patterns and successional dynamics of rhizosphere microbial communities across different growth stages, highlighting the functional roles of key bacterial and fungal taxa in facilitating nutrient cycling. Furthermore, the dynamic changes in rhizosphere functional genes—specifically those related to nitrogen and phosphorus cycling—and their impact on nutrient use efficiency are discussed. Case studies within rapeseed rotation systems illustrate the mechanisms underlying enhanced soil enzyme activity, shifts in microbial diversity, and improved soil disease suppressiveness under long-term cultivation. Additionally, the regulatory effects of practices such as organic amendments, straw mulching, and integrated nutrient management on rhizosphere functions are summarized. Finally, the review identifies current challenges regarding the elucidation of rhizosphere signaling mechanisms, the application of multi-omics integration, and adaptive management in the context of climate change, while outlining future research directions. This review aims to provide a theoretical basis and scientific reference for enhancing rapeseed productivity and optimizing soil ecological functions in agricultural systems.

Rapeseed; Rhizosphere ecosystem; Microbial community; Nutrient cycling; Soil enzyme activity