1. There is urgency in optimizing agricultural production in light of climate uncertainty, human population growth and resource limitations. The rhizosphere microbiome is a promising genetic resource, yet it is poorly understood. Additionally, research into rhizosphere microbial community assembly (MCA) lacks a consistent ecological framework that incorporates the dynamics of the occurring interactions.
2. We explore the ecological principles that guide community establishment as they pertain to the rhizosphere while reviewing relevant research and highlighting the gaps in knowledge.
3. We propose a conceptual model for studying the rhizosphere, and argue for higher resolution characterizations of the rhizosphere, under a framework of root and microbial traits that will determine its resulting composition. For this, we borrow concepts from ecological theory to chronologically describe MCA as a function of colonization, distribution and succession under changing plant‐imposed filters. We argue that there is a need to consider the temporal and spatial scale of rhizosphere processes in a manner that is relevant to its microbial components.
4. Finally, we discuss strategies for managing the rhizosphere microbiome for agriculture and the remaining gaps in knowledge that impede their application.
5. Synthesis and applications. We aim to initiate a comprehensive conversation on ecological processes and plant and microbial traits that affect rhizosphere assembly. Rhizosphere microbiome research is relatively new and highly multidisciplinary. The use of a shared vocabulary and ecological theory will facilitate the development and advances in this discipline.

中文翻译：

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根际微生物组组装的时空格局：从生态理论到农业应用

1. 鉴于气候不确定性，人口增长和资源限制，迫切需要优化农业生产。根际微生物组是一种很有前途的遗传资源，但人们对其了解甚少。此外，对根际微生物群落组装（MCA）的研究缺乏一致的生态框架，该框架没有结合所发生相互作用的动力学。
2. 我们在审查相关研究并强调知识空白的同时，探索了指导根际与根际相关的社区建立的生态学原理。
3. 我们提出了一种用于研究根际的概念模型，并在确定根系和微生物性状的框架下，要求对根际进行更高分辨率的表征。为此，我们借鉴了生态学理论的概念，按时间顺序将MCA描述为在更换植物的过滤器下的定殖，分布和演替的函数。我们认为有必要以与其微生物成分相关的方式考虑根际过程的时空尺度。
4. 最后，我们讨论了管理农业根际微生物组的策略以及阻碍其应用的知识上的空白。
5. 综合与应用。我们旨在就影响根际组装的生态过程以及植物和微生物特征展开全面的对话。根际微生物组研究是一个相对较新的，高度多学科的研究。使用共享的词汇和生态学理论将促进该学科的发展和进步。