Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
ABSTRACT
Soil is the host of several symbionts and free-living beneficial microbes
apart from different flora and fauna. Mycorrhizae, arbuscular mycorrhi-
zal fungi (AMF) represent symbiotic association between plant roots and
certain soil fungi of order Glomales. Such an association plays a key role
in nutrient management in varied ecosystems and also protects the host
plants against environmental and biotic stresses. About 80% of the plants
are colonized by mycorrhizae, hence their proper use can boost the pro-
duction in depleted or degraded soils and assist in mitigating the harm-
ful effects of different biotic and abiotic stresses. AMF biotechnology is
usable for crops right from transplant stage in plug plant production, as
is the case with horticultural/ forestry nurseries. Mycorrhizal symbiosis
is deciphered and they are known to affect plant growth and health, as
bio-fertilizers and bio-protectors. Maximum benefits can be obtained from
inoculation with efficient AM fungal strain and careful selection of com-
patible host/ fungus/ substrate combinations. Interactions between AM
fungi and other bio-agents have been found beneficial. With molecular
and biotechnological gains, AMF science has become more advanced not
only based on taxonomic classification and their beneficial effects on plant
but different gene(s) responsible for successful harnessing of such an as-
sociation in rhizosphere and their role in climate change situations are the
future approaches.
14.1 INTRODUCTION
In the present day of depleting environmental conditions, shrinking natural
resources, climate change, etc. warrant effective technologies to be devel-
oped for mitigating the ill effects of them for safe horticulture production.
Soil beneficial microflora have a definite role to play making crop produc-
tion ecofriendly and sustainable. A study conducted at the North Caro-
lina State University shows that important and common soil microscopic
organisms, including (AMF), play a role in sequestering carbon below
ground, trapping it from escaping into the atmosphere as greenhouse gas-
es. AMF help hold this carbon in the ground by decelerating decomposi-
tion of soil organic matter, which prevents the carbon in the decomposing
material. A contrary study shows that different microbes may aggravate
 
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