Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) establish symbiotic associations with most terrestrial plants. These soil microorganisms enhance the plant’s nutrient uptake by extending the root absorbing area. In return, the symbiont receives plant carbohydrates for the completion of its life cycle. AMF also helps plants to cope with biotic and abiotic stresses such as salinity, drought, extreme temperature, heavy metal, diseases, and pathogens. For abiotic stresses, the mechanisms of adaptation of AMF to these stresses are generally linked to increased hydromineral nutrition, ion selectivity, gene regulation, production of osmolytes, and the synthesis of phytohormones and antioxidants. Regarding the biotic stresses, AMF are involved in pathogen resistance including competition for colonization sites and improvement of the plant’s defense system. Furthermore, AMF have a positive impact on ecosystems. They improve the quality of soil aggregation, drive the structure of plant and bacteria communities, and enhance ecosystem stability. Thus, a plant colonized by AMF will use more of these adaptation mechanisms compared to a plant without mycorrhizae. In this review, we present the contribution of AMF on plant growth and performance in stressed environments.
Highlights
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are soil microorganisms that form a symbiotic relationship with 80–90% of vascular plant species and 90% of agricultural plants [1], including most agricultural crops, cereals, vegetables, and horticultural plants
The purpose of this review is to summarize knowledge about AM associations, in particular the beneficial effects on host plants and soil
Jones & Grout 1896 and Fusarium oxyspoum Fusarium oxysporum Schltdl. 1824, respectively [155,156,157]. This beneficial effect was more pronounced when plants were inoculated with AMF and sprayed with hormonal inducers (Jasmonic acid and Salicylic acid), suggesting a synergistic and cooperative effect between them leading to an enhanced induction and regulation of disease resistance [156]
Summary
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are soil microorganisms that form a symbiotic relationship with 80–90% of vascular plant species and 90% of agricultural plants [1], including most agricultural crops, cereals, vegetables, and horticultural plants. They have a ubiquitous distribution in global ecosystems that are primarily defined by the global distribution of known plant hosts [2,3]. The Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is probably the most widespread beneficial interaction between plants and microorganisms [9]. The diversity of interactions between AMF and other soil microorganisms are examined (Figure S1)
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