Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) benefit plants through mobilization as well as uptake of nutrients and improved soil structure, while the fungus receives photosynthetic carbon and nutrients from the host plant. They are destined to be healers of problem soils because of having the ability to develop stress tolerance in crop plants. Problem soils refer to those experiencing stress conditions, viz., salinity, water stress (drought), and heavy metal contamination. This chapter deals with the functions of AM fungi in alleviating the stresses to protect growth. Increased nutrient supply through ionic balance, biosynthesis of osmoprotectants, enhancing hydraulic activity, accumulation of metabolites, modification in plant physiology and morphology, accumulation of necessary signal molecules, formation of wind-resistant aggregates in the rhizosphere are the major benefits derived by the vascular plants during the association with AM fungus to overcome such abiotic stress conditions.
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