Mycorrhiza in sustainable crop production

Abstract

Sustainable crop production is a complex issue, and available evidences suggest that mycorrhizal association with crop plants confers yield stability. We present a schematic flow diagram to outline practices that lead unsustainability or sustainability in the crop production. We critically discussed the issue of sustainability and the role of mycorrhiza in crop production. Conventional practices are posing threat to the biological processes and agroecosystem. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic associations with wide range of agricultural crops. Management options should address primary constraints to achieve desired success. This chapter reviews the effect of various management options like tillage, soil biodiversity and fertility management, crops and cropping sequences, irrigation and agroforestry systems on the abundance and diversity of the AM fungi and the plant response. Proper understanding of mutualistic association between arbuscular mycorrhizae and plant roots needed to exploit potential benefits. Long-term studies under diverse field conditions were required to know complex interactions that occur in the mycorrhizosphere and to harness potential benefits from mycorrhizal inoculation.