Biochar as a Habitat for Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi

Abstract

Addition of organic materials to soil, including biochar, can influence communities and symbiosis of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. Biochar, the porous and carbon stable material, has the potential to provide a habitat for AM fungi. A positive influence of biochar and AM fungi has been reported on soil and plant growth. Plant and soil nutrient status as well as water availability may benefit plant production when biochar is incorporated into soil, regardless of its effect on AM fungi in some cases. Biochar incorporation into soil can have both positive and negative effects on AM fungi. Although biochar can indirectly stimulate colonisation of AM fungi in plant roots, interactions between biochar and AM fungi are less well understood. Biochar influences on the abundance, activity and diversity of mycorrhizal fungi need to be considered in relation to different biochar and soil conditions. Evidence of proposed mechanisms for interactions between AM fungi and biochar is reconsidered.