**Chapter 9 113**

Influence of Endomycorrhizal Fungi on the Growth of Tropical Plant Species *by Juan Francisco Aguirre-Medina, Jorge Cadena-Iñigue and Juan Francisco Aguirre-Caden*

Preface

Several researchers have studied the association of mycorrhizae with several plant species and their significance in plant health. This book focuses on the production and applications of mycorrhizae in sustainable agriculture and forestry. The identification of soil microbes including fungi is essential to use those organisms for plant

In the first chapter, "Soil Metagenomics: Prospects and Challenges", the authors present a metagenomics study of soil microorganisms to identify categories of soil microorganisms. In the second chapter, "Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) Fungi as a Tool for Sustainable Agricultural System", the authors discuss the application of arbuscular mycorrhizae in the soil to enhance uptake of nutrients, plant tolerance against drought, and soil quality. In the third chapter, "Advantages of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) Production for the Profitability of Agriculture and Biofertilizer Industry", the authors explain the mitigation role of AM on adverse environmental conditions such as drought, heavy metal accumulation, salinity in the soil, extreme temperatures, and biotic stresses in plants. In the fourth chapter, "Production of Vegetable Crops by Using Arbuscular Mycorrhizae", the authors describe the use of mycorrhizae in soilless vegetables cultivation under a greenhouse system. In the fifth chapter, "The Role of Mycorrhizae on Seedlings and Early Growth of Sugarcane", the authors describe several varieties of sugarcane growth enhancement and mitigation of climate change by the colonization of mycorrhizae. In the sixth chapter, "Assessment of Biocontrol Potential of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (*Glomus spp.*) against Damping-off Disease (*Rhizoctonia solani*) on Cucumber", the authors discuss the utilization of *Glomus* spp. to reduce *Rhizoctonia solani* pathogen

In the seventh chapter, "Native Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Agro-Industries in Arid Lands: Productions, Applications, Strategies and Challenges", the authors discuss conventional and modern methods of AM fungal bio-fertilizers production including formulation and administration. The AM fungi influence the growth of several tree species in forests and improve soil quality. In the eight chapter, "Mycorrhizae Applications in Sustainable Forestry", the authors examine the significance of suitable AM fungi application for sustainable forest maintenance. In the final chapter, "Influence of Endomycorrhizal Fungi on the Growth of Tropical Plant Species", the authors discuss how fungi trigger the growth of tree species such as *Coffea canephora*, *Tabernaemontana donnell-smithii*, and *Chromolaena odorata*.

**Dr. Ramalingam Radhakrishnan**

Jamal Mohamed College (Autonomous), Affiliated to Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamilnadu, India

Department of Botany,

infection and increase the growth of cucumber plants.

and human welfare.
