Mycorrhizal fungi to alleviate salinity stress on plant growth

Abstract

The process of symbiosis between arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and the host plant results in the production of an extensive hyphal network and hence the increased uptake of water and nutrients by the host plant. The fungi are able to increase plant growth and crop production under different conditions including stress. Salinity stress is among the most important stresses adversely affecting plant growth. There are different mechanisms used by the fungi to alleviate the stress including the increased uptake of water and nutrients by the host plant and the uptake of salt by the fungal vacuoles. In this chapter, some of the most recent finding related to the alleviating effects of mycorrhizal fungi affecting plant growth under salinity are presented and analyzed.