Trends in rhizosheath research: Formation, functions and methods

The rhizosheath, a unique rhizosphere structure, comprises soil particles cemented to roots through synergistic interactions between root hair proliferation and mucilage deposition. Rhizosheath formation, widely present in angiosperms, is predominantly observed in the Poaceae family and is coordinately regulated by interdependent factors, soil physicochemical properties, and plant-microbe interactions. Rhizosheath-mediated ecosystem services encompass multifunctional advantages: optimizing water/nutrient acquisition efficiency, buffering root apices from mechanical stress, modulating microbial community assembly, and accelerating soil organic carbon/nitrogen transfer. This review systematically synthesizes current knowledge on the rhizosheath by (1) revealing rhizosheath formation mechanisms, encompassing the roles of soil properties, root traits, and microbial interactions; (2) interpreting its multifunctionality; (3) addressing its agricultural application potential; (4) summarizing methodologies for analyzing its functionality and formation dynamics. We discuss its functional roles in agriculture and evaluate current methodologies, prioritizing field-based approaches. Future studies should focus on elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying rhizosheath formation while employing integrated multidisciplinary strategies to translate fundamental discoveries into applied innovations for crop improvement and sustainable agriculture. • Rhizosheath formation involves soil-root-microbe synergy. • The rhizosheath enhances plant tolerance to multiple environmental stressors. • Multi-omics approaches facilitate comprehensive profiling of rhizosheath functions. • Emerging technological synergies are poised to advance methods for studying rhizosheath. • Formation and functions of rhizosheath under field conditions remain a key priority.