Plant root activities shape microbial community functioning in the soil, making the rhizosphere the epicenter of soil biogeochemical processes. With this opinion article, we argue to rethink the rhizosphere boundaries: as gases can diffuse several centimeters away from the roots into the soil, the portion of soil influenced by root activities is larger than the strictly root-adhering soil. Indeed, gases are key drivers of biogeochemical processes due to their roles as energy sources or communication molecules, which has the potential to modify microbial community structure and functioning. In order to get a more holistic perspective on this key environment, we advocate for interdisciplinarity in rhizosphere research by combining knowledge of soluble compounds with gas dynamics.

植物根系活动塑造了土壤中微生物群落的功能，使根际成为土壤生物地球化学过程的中心。对于这篇观点文章，我们主张重新考虑根际边界：由于气体可以从根部扩散几厘米到土壤中，因此受到根部活动影响的土壤部分要比严格附着根部的土壤大。的确，由于气体作为能源或通讯分子的作用，气体是生物地球化学过程的关键驱动力，具有改变微生物群落结构和功能的潜力。为了对这一关键环境有更全面的了解，我们主张通过将可溶性化合物的知识与气体动力学相结合，在根际研究中实现学科交叉。