![](https://www.mikroliv.no/element/800/Soil%20bacteria%20root.jpg)
Root microbiome
The surface of a plant's root is a hub of activity in the soil. Plants are known to feed (and feed on) microorganisms, and can actively influence the composition of the microbial community around them.
For this illustration, I wanted to focus on the metropolis of organisms covering the surface of a root. There are many layers of bacteria and fungi woven together, and small protozoa hunting for snacks in and around the biofilm structures.
When I drew this, I relied mostly on my understanding of life in the rhizosphere based on reading, and also studied scanning electron images of roots and biofilms, but I didn't think I'd be able to actually find a scene like this in my own microscope. At the time I didn't know it was possible to observe living roots in the microscope, and any roots I did see were either prepared slides or shredded fragments that happened to come up in soil samples.
Eventually I did start making living root slides, and was absolutely thrilled to see clusters of microorganisms attached to the root in precisely the same way I had imagined in the illustration. That was one of the most satisfying moments I've had at the microscope, and this might be the illustration I'm most proud of!
![](https://www.mikroliv.no/element/800/Root%20in%20microscope.jpg)
If you like this artwork, you can order a print of it here or support me on Ko-fi. For inquiries about DIY prints, licensing, commissions, collaborations or just to share enthusiasm about microbes, please email post@mikroliv.no, or send a message on Instagram. I love hearing from you!