Mycorrhizas for a sustainable world

Abstract

More than 80% of plant species exchange resources with mycorrhizal fungi and these associations impact both partners at multiple scales, from individuals to ecosystems. In total, 172 participants from 33 countries and 160 institutions met at the 10 th International Conference on Mycorrhiza (ICOM 10) in the city of M erida in the Yucatan peninsula in Mexicoan area famous for its Mayan archaeological sites, cenotes, and the Chicxulub impact crater that marks the end of the Cretaceous period. They discussed latest advances on mycorrhizal research across 125 talks and 111 posters in 14 sessions focused on the biology, physiology, ecology, evolution and conservation of these interactions from molecules to biomes (Fig. 1). In particular, the contribution of mycorrhizal research to sustainability in agriculture, conservation and ecosystem restoration (Fig. 2) emerged as a promising topic to address today's challenges in the realm of human population growth, globalization and climate change.

Physiological Alteration in Sunflower Plants (Helianthus annuus L.) Exposed to High CO2 and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi

“…The increased AM fungi colonization in plants grown under elevated CO 2 conditions may have been due to an increased plant demand for nutrients and enlarged root biomass caused by greater C assimilation [ 24 ]. However, some studies have reported no response or even a decrease in root AM levels in plants grown under high CO 2 concentrations [ 12 , 28 ]. The extent to which eCO 2 impacts the crop–AM association remains unclear [ 10 , 16 ].…”

“…Biofertilization with fungi is based on the mutualistic and symbiotic associations of fungi with certain plant roots, specifically the so-called mycorrhizae. Over 90% of all plant species make these associations, which offer benefits to the plant as well as the fungi [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Fungi may be classified into three groups: endomycorrhiza, ectomycorrhiza, and ectendomycorrhiza.…”

A Novel Bacillus safensis-Based Formulation along with Mycorrhiza Inoculation for Controlling Alternaria alternata and Simultaneously Improving Growth, Nutrient Uptake, and Steviol Glycosides in Stevia rebaudiana under Field Conditions

“…AMF are a type of obligate biotroph that form mutualistic symbiotic associations with the roots of plants [ 22 ]. AMF are also commonly used as biofertilizers for enhancing growth and crop productivity [ 23 ]. In addition to plant growth, AMF provide tolerance to host plants against several fungal pathogens and help in survival under stressful conditions [ 22 ].…”

Bioavailability of zinc and iron in durum wheat: A trade‐off between grain weight and nutrition?

“…One challenge of using AM associations for food security is that the effect of AM fungal colonization on plant growth and nutrition is highly variable and dependent on many factors. The list of interacting factors is lengthy (see Pickles, Truong, Watts‐Williams, & Bueno, 2020 for a comprehensive list), but the main drivers include: plant species and variety choice, soil physical characteristics, including nutrient availability and biological characteristics (microbiome), and colonizing AM fungal species, abundance, and diversity. The variation in plant growth response to AM fungal colonization in diverse plant genotypes has been illustrated in many staple food crops such as bread wheat (Zhu, Smith, Barritt, & Smith, 2001), durum wheat (Ellouze et al., 2015), and sorghum (Watts‐Williams et al, 2019).…”