Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi as a potential biofertilizers for agricultural sustainability

Abstract

Globally, by 2050, agricultural food production will be increased to feed the growing population. To achieve the objective in sustainable manner, scientific chronicles have explores the mutualistic interaction between plant roots and rhizosphere microbiome. One of the interactions of plants roots was found with arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF), a rhizosphere microbiome. Biofertilization process by the mean of AMF has depicted as a beneficial alternative to chemical fertilization practices. It has been recognized for having several potential applications such as plant fertilization (phosphorus, nitrogen and other micronutrients), alleviation of biotic (protecting plants from pest and pathogens), and abiotic stresses (drought, salinity, heavy metals, low and high temperature). AMF sustainably increases the plant growth and production by establishing within the host root with the help of set of genes and fulfilling the needs of the host. At present, worldwide total 340 species of AMF has been found. In the present review, global diversity, molecular crosstalk in AMF symbiosis and their potential application in sustainable agriculture has been reviewed. © 2022 Anand, et al.