Arbuscular Mycorrhizas in Sustainable Soil-Plant Systems

Abstract

The significance of mycorrhizas in sustainable agriculture was highlighted several years ago (Mosse 1986) when it was realized that the stability of these systems was endangered. More recently, Bethlenfalvay and Linderman (1992) have re-emphasized the importance of this plant-fungus symbiosis in the maintenance of sustainability in agricultural production. Due to their ability to alleviate the effects of plant stress (Jeffries 1987; Barea 1991), in this review we wish to discuss the role of arbuscular mycorrhizas as essential components of sustainable ecosystems in general, including agriculture. We will also consider some of the constraints on the practical application of mycorrhizal technology in these situations, but first it is necessary to briefly define the concept of sustainability and the problems endangering sustainable systems.