**7. The function of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in reducing greenhouse gas emissions**

Reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and boosted carbon sequestration are the two primary goals the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has developed for climate-smart agriculture [71]. N2O is a potent greenhouse gas with a larger global warming potential (280–310) than CO2 and longer persistence (118–131 years) in the atmosphere and sadly, agriculture is a significant source of N2O emissions [72]. Dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium and ammonia oxidation are amongst the main sources of N2O emissions in farms through a variety of denitrification

processes. Slow-growing nitrifiers are outcompeted by AMF hyphae for ammonium, which hinders nitrification and, ultimately, the production of N2O [73].

Under varying moisture conditions, the emissions of greenhouse gases from soil can also be controlled by AMF (as well as the water relationship between plants) [11]. The impact of AMF in controlling N2O emissions has not been studied in cassava, but it has been studied in legume systems. A field experiment with AMF on legumes revealed a significant reduction in yield-scaled N2O emissions due to greater biological nitrification inhibition [74]. The term "biological nitrification inhibition" (BNI) refers to the ability of the host plant's roots to lower the activity of soil nitrifiers by generating and releasing nitrogen removal inhibitors. To manage the soil nitrifier activities, help reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and generally make agriculture more ecologically friendly and effective, BNI-enabled plants and pastures have been suggested for use in agriculture [72, 73].

## **8. Limitations**

Given the projected rise in population, it will be necessary to enhance the production of economically important crops like cassava. Hence, increasing soil fertility in an environmentally sustainable approach may be the greatest strategy to accomplish the expected crop yield. Given the effects of climate change, nutrient depletion, drought, salt, and metal toxicity, it has been well established that AMF may sustainably improve plant growth, production, and crop nutritional quality for this purpose, thereby ensuring food security for both present and future generations.

However, most studies on AMF-mediated advances in plant health, nutrient uptake, and regulation of the impacts of biotic and abiotic stress conditions have thus far used in vitro studies on laboratory scales, and under controlled temperature and low nutrients profiles trials studies. However, if more farm field experiments are done, the results may offer a more in-depth understanding of the intricate mechanisms underpinning Plant-nutrient connections that are mediated by AMF and AMF interactions with both the biotic and abiotic stressors. These understandings may have an advantage to the effective application of AMF in boosting the production of more important commercial crops, such as cassava, regardless of the region.

Also, the manipulation of AMF in both artificial and natural systems has proven to be a particularly difficult barrier to overcome. It is anticipated that future tests would use cutting-edge techniques to understand the mystery surrounding plants-AMF community ecology, what patterns do plants and AMF communities follow? what does this mean in terms of ecosystem management, recovery, and restoration? To get answers to these issues, we both hope and anticipate that we will not have to wait another 13 years.

Additionally, the glycoproteins (glomalin) produced by AMF are not currently considered in soil health assessment programs even though they are linked to several ecosystem processes and act as a low-cost proxy for soil quality, the efficiency of agricultural management and restoration methods, and AMF biomass [75]. Controlled studies using these methods (ELISA and advanced spectroscopic classification) and AMF quantification (quantitative PCR assays, AMF-signature lipids, microscopic measurements) are necessary to inform researchers and farmers about the potential of these glycoproteins as a C-sequestration and quality indicator, along with field demonstrations.

*Recent Advances in Plant: Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Associations and Their Application… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.108100*
