Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis and nutrient resource limitation: Predicting the linkages and effectiveness of partnership

Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is entirely dependent on nutrient exchange between plant and arbuscular mycorrhizae. The symbioses are up to their fullest under limited conditions of nutrients. There are several theories given to better understand the biological market for their relationship and linkages with the available nutrient resources. However, it is difficult to predict the behavior of relationship between AM fungi and plant for a specific condition. In this chapter we discuss the linkages between AM fungi and nutrient resource limitation surrounding them along with their biochemical and physiological interaction. This discussion is based on individual nutrient limitation (N and P) and co-limitation (N-P and P-K) conditions for AM symbioses. Additionally, this chapter predicts the causality between these nutrient resource limitation and effectiveness of AM symbioses. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to study AM symbioses keeping every component of ecosystem in the loop and not secluded. This chapter also attempts to synthesize the collective and critical information to improve preparedness for effective ecosystem functioning and manage the most unpredictable agroecosystems in terms of productivity, biotic and abiotic environment.