Rhizosphere Information Ecology: Interactive Networks and Ecological Synergy Among Roots, Microorganisms, and Soil Chemical Substances

Traditional agronomics and soil ecology have long focused on the material and energy exchange processes within the rhizosphere, such as nutrient uptake, carbon-nitrogen cycling, and water transport. However, breakthroughs in chemical ecology, molecular biology, and allelochemical analytics have led to a growing consensus that the rhizosphere functions not merely as a site for physical material exchange, but as a highly dynamic, multidimensional "information intersection network." This paper formally proposes and systematically elaborates the theoretical framework of Rhizosphere Information Ecology (RIE), an emerging interdisciplinary domain. We comprehensively analyze the multidirectional signal transmission mechanisms among three core components—root exudates, microbial signaling molecules, and soil chemical media (including volatile organic compounds and secondary metabolites)—with an emphasis on biological processes such as quorum sensing, allelopathic signal transduction, common mycelial networks (CMNs), and cross-kingdom signal interactions. Furthermore, mathematical kinetic models of rhizosphere signal transport are constructed to derive quantitative expressions for signal attenuation and systemic ecological synergy, highlighting the vast potential of this field in plant stress-resistance induction, fertilizer reduction with efficiency enhancement, and smart agriculture design. The paradigm shift from "material exchange" to "information network" provides a novel theoretical lens and technological pathway to break through current resource and environmental bottlenecks in agricultural production.