Biobank for Conservation of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) Fungi

Abstract

The development of microbial inocula is a tedious process that requires labor, scientific know-how, and a huge amount of patience to ensure the availability of viable and contamination-free inocula. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been routinely used as biofertilizers as a part of sustainable agriculture strategy, but due to their obligate symbiotic nature, the widespread cultivation under in vitro is hindered. However, over the years several methods have been developed for AMF cultivation. Preservation of the AMF gene pool has become one of the most challenging aspects of mycorrhizal research. Mycorrhizal fungi conservation banks have aimed to preserve and provide viable and pure AMF starter cultures to researchers. The in vitro technology for AMF culture is a breakthrough in mycorrhizal propagation studies, although not all germplasm conservation banks have used this technology; therefore, trap cultures using appropriate hosts for maintaining and propagating AM strain (s) are still being largely practiced and followed. This chapter summarizes prerequisites for AMF germplasm conservation, AMF inoculum production, preservation techniques, and current scenarios on regulations and constraints being faced in maintaining mycorrhizal germplasm conservation agencies.