Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Latest News

A new study published in Science has reported the first global map of the earth’s vast underground network of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi.

About Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi

• These are groups of root obligate biotrophs belonging to the phylum Glomeromycota.
• These are soil-borne microorganisms that form symbiotic associations with approximately 80% of terrestrial vascular plants.
• AMF are primary biotic soil components which, when missing or impoverished, can lead to a less efficient ecosystem functioning. 
• Structure: These are made up of tiny branching threads called hyphae.
• These hyphal networks form two-way pipes to channel nutrients and carbon to and from plants.
• Grassland ecosystems like those in South Sudan, the Tibetan plateau, and India’s Banni grasslands house 40% of the world’s AM fungal networks.
• Its networks also weigh around 300 million tonnes of carbon, which is four- to six-times the weight of the entire human population.
• Ecological Role
  • They are considered natural biofertilizers which provide the host with water, nutrients, and pathogen protection, in exchange for photosynthetic products.
  • They provide nutrients and water in exchange for the carbon produced by the plants, and help to regulate the climate by drawing carbon into soils.
  • It formed symbiotic relationships with 70% of plant species, trading nutrients for carbon and sequesters an estimated 4 billion tonnes of CO2-equivalent a year.

Source: TH

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