First discovered on desert plants by Volkens 1887, rhizosheath formation, i.e. soil aggregation at the root surface, is now considered as a very promising adaptive trait to deal with abiotic stress. Indeed, the rhizosheath could help plants better cope with water stress, nitrogen and phosphorus deficiencies, and soil acidity. We have reviewed studies on the biological factors involved in rhizosheath formation, the methods used to quantify it, and its importance in plant nutrition. Thus, we have collected recent evidence that shows that the rhizosheath is an important trait arising from the morphology and physiology of plant root system, and the cooperation between plant root and its associated microbiota. In particular, the transformation of root exudates by exopolysaccharide-producing bacteria effectively contributes to soil aggregation and thus to increases the volume of the rhizosheath (i.e. root-adhering soil), thereby improving the absorption of minerals and water by plants. The growing interest for this process has led to the genetic mapping of potential plant QTLs controlling this trait in order to provide new tools for the selection of plant varieties with improved tolerance to abiotic stresses. Finally, we discussed some important issues that need to be addressed in order to develop an appropriate selection strategy focused on the rhizosheath, such as the relationship between the genes controlling rhizosheath formation and those controlling other root traits, but also the impact of rhizosheath formation on soil carbon sequestration, a potential strategy for mitigating climate change.

中文翻译：

---

根鞘：从沙漠植物适应到作物育种

Volkens 1887 首次在沙漠植物上发现，根鞘形成，即根表面的土壤聚集，现在被认为是一种非常有前途的应对非生物胁迫的适应性特性。事实上，根鞘可以帮助植物更好地应对水分胁迫、氮和磷缺乏以及土壤酸度。我们回顾了有关根鞘形成的生物因素、用于量化它的方法及其在植物营养中的重要性的研究。因此，我们收集了最近的证据，表明根鞘是植物根系形态和生理学以及植物根系与其相关微生物群之间合作的重要特征。特别是，产生胞外多糖的细菌对根系分泌物的转化有效地促进了土壤聚集，从而增加了根鞘（即附着根的土壤）的体积，从而提高了植物对矿物质和水分的吸收。对该过程日益增长的兴趣导致了控制该性状的潜在植物 QTL 的遗传作图，以便为选择对非生物胁迫具有更高耐受性的植物品种提供新的工具。Finally, we discussed some important issues that need to be addressed in order to develop an appropriate selection strategy focused on the rhizosheath, such as the relationship between the genes controlling rhizosheath formation and those controlling other root traits, but also the impact of rhizosheath formation on土壤固碳，