Jufang Wu

Huzhou Jinshang Technology Co., Ltd., Huzhou, 313000, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
Molecular Soil Biology, 2026, Vol. 17, No. 3   
Received: 24 Apr., 2026    Accepted: 29 May, 2026    Published: 13 Jun., 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.

Rice cultivation systems play a critical role in shaping rhizosphere processes and regulating soil biological activity through root-mediated interactions. Different cultivation practices, including conventional flooding, alternate wetting and drying, intermittent irrigation, and organic management, can significantly alter root morphology, exudation patterns, soil physicochemical properties, and microbial habitats. This review synthesizes current knowledge on root-induced changes in soil biological activity under diverse rice cultivation systems, with a particular focus on rhizosphere microbial communities, soil enzyme activities, nutrient cycling processes, and their implications for rice productivity. Root exudates and oxygen release from rice roots serve as key drivers of microbial diversity and functional activity, influencing carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus transformations in the rhizosphere. Water-saving cultivation systems often enhance microbial functional diversity and nutrient-use efficiency by creating dynamic aerobic-anaerobic conditions, whereas organic cultivation promotes beneficial microorganisms and improves soil ecological resilience. Furthermore, root-induced biological processes contribute to enhanced nutrient acquisition, stress tolerance, soil health, and sustainable yield formation. The review also highlights recent advances in multi-omics approaches for elucidating root-soil-microbe interactions and discusses future research directions aimed at developing environmentally sustainable and resource-efficient rice production systems. Understanding the mechanisms underlying root-induced soil biological activity will provide valuable insights for optimizing rice cultivation practices and improving agroecosystem sustainability.

Rice cultivation systems; Rhizosphere biological activity; Root exudates; Soil microbial communities; Nutrient cycling