Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for sustainable agriculture

Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have obligatory symbiotic relationship with more than 80% of terrestrial plant species. AMF symbiosis acclimatizes plants for their better survival, enhanced growth and development in biotic as well abiotic environment, thereby promoting sustainable growth and development of plants. Being highly competitive and better suited, plants with AMF association with ease tolerate environmental stress to face plethora of various biotic as well as abiotic changes. These fungal symbionts offer an eco-friendly biological sound substitute to chemical fertilizers and pesticides for managing both plant quality and quantity in agriculture, horticulture and forestry. AMF are now regarded as the cornerstone of sustainable agriculture; as such, there is a necessity to accelerate their integration in agricultural production systems. It becomes important now that soil scientists and agriculturalists pay due attention to the management of AMF in the formal way to increase, restore or maintain soil fertility which indirectly influences the growth and development of plant. Present review emphasizes the mycorrhizal symbiosis as a keystone to plant productivity and diversity because of their influence on almost all metabolic processes of plants and maintains and, in many cases, stimulates plant growth and development due to their diverse functionality/benefits to host plant, consolidated here.