Mycorrhizal Fungi in Sustainable Agriculture: Enhancing Crop Yields and Soil Health

Mycorrhizal fungi, beneficial soil microorganisms, offer potential for sustainable agriculture. This literature review explores their ability to enhance crop production and soil quality by forming symbiotic relationships with plant roots, expanding root networks, and improving nutrient absorption, particularly phosphorus, nitrogen, and micronutrients. They also enhance drought resistance and water efficiency. Research indicates significant yield increases with appropriate mycorrhizal fungi strains in various agricultural systems. Beyond yield, these fungi improve soil health by enhancing structure, aggregation, water retention, fertility, and nutrient cycling, and by breaking down organic matter and sequestering carbon. These benefits arise from complex plant-fungal symbioses involving signaling pathways, molecular mechanisms, and gene expression changes. Integrating mycorrhizal fungi into sustainable farming includes various inoculation methods and reducing chemical fertilizers. Challenges include efficient mass production and quality control. Future research should focus on these issues and the long-term sustainability impacts. Utilizing plant-fungal symbioses can develop sustainable agricultural practices, addressing global food security with minimal environmental impact.