*4.1.6 Transport of phosphorus and nitrogen to plants*

*Mycorrhizal Fungi - Utilization in Agriculture and Forestry*

growth promotion and yield maximization [30–32].

significantly increased using AM fungi [34–36].

*4.1.5 Mineral nutrition cycle*

support to the plants.

hyphae [29].

*4.1.3 Bio-fertilizer*

production [34].

*4.1.4 Plant yield*

*4.1.2 Natural growth regulators*

For the establishment of a symbiotic relationship with the nitrogen fixing

AM fungi are used as bio-inoculants, and as prominent natural growth regulators in sustainable crop productivity. Also, the stomatal conductance, leaf water potential, relative water content, photosystem II efficiency, and carbon dioxide assimilation are improved by AM inoculation that contribute greatly to organic culturing for

For fulfilling the fertilizer requirements of plants in areas of marginal fertility and to reduce the harmful effects of chemical fertilizer, AM have a potential use as a biofertilizer. Bio- fertilizers are a mixture of naturally occurring substances for improving soil fertility [33]. Various problems and damaging impact on the quality of food products, soil health, and air and water systems are associated with the continuous use of inorganic fertilizers, herbicides, and fungicides. Reports showed the AM can possibly lower down the use of chemical fertilizers up to 50% for best agricultural

AM Fungi can also have potential to enhance the dietary quality of crops and to increase the levels of secondary metabolites and production of carotenoids and certain volatile compounds. There are reports that showed beneficial effects of AM fungi *Glomus versiforme* on the increased contents of sugars, organic acids, vitamin C, flavonoids, and minerals resulting in enhanced citrus fruit quality. It enhances plant yield for a healthy food production chain by increasing the accumulation of anthocyanins, chlorophyll, carotenoids, total soluble phenolics, tocopherols, and various mineral nutrients. The field production of maize, yam, and potato, has been

The performance of most agricultural crops becomes better and is more productive in the presence of AM fungi. Mycorrhiza develops symbiosis with roots to obtain essential nutrients from the host plant and consequently provide mineral nutrients in return, for example, N, P, K, Ca, Zn, and S. This symbiosis increases the micronutrient uptake and growth of their plant host [37]. It has an important function in promoting the mineral cycling by maintaining an efficient and closed nutrient cycle of natural ecosystems, thereby changing the ecology of surrounding environment. An increase in the accumulation of biomass is also observed by the inoculation of AM fungi. This is because AM fungi increases the concentration of various macro-nutrients significantly, leading to increased photosynthate production [38, 39]. Thus, even under inappropriate conditions it provides nutritional

rhizobium bacteria, the AM fungi releases a 'myc factor' which is a diffusional factor responsible for activating the nodulation factor's inducible gene MtEnod11. This gene is involved in establishing symbiotic relationship with the nitrogen fixing rhizobial bacteria [26–28]. Under natural conditions, this bacterium live in the cytoplasm as endobacteria or colonize the surface of extraradical

**22**

The AM fungi are important to their hosts as they enhance the ability of plants to absorb phosphorus from soil, which is relatively inaccessible to the plants. The arbuscules of the fungi assist in exchange of inorganic minerals and the compounds of carbon and phosphorus imparting a considerable strength to host plants. Therefore, it significantly boosts the phosphorus concentration in both root and shoot systems. Also, under phosphorus-limited conditions, the association improves phosphorus supply to the infected roots of host plants. For phosphorus uptake, the crops that are poor at seeking out nutrients in the soil are dependent on AM fungi. It has significant effects on different plant communities, particularly on invasive plants and the fungal-mediated transport of phosphorus and nitrogen to plants [40–42].
