Mycorrhizal fungi are microbial engines which improve plant vigor and soil quality. They play a crucial role in plant nutrient uptake, water relations, ecosystem establishment, plant diversity, and the productivity of plants. Scientific research involves multidisciplinary approaches to understand the adaptation of mycorrhizae to the rhizosphere, mechanism of root colonization, effect on plant physiology and growth, biofertilization, plant resistance and biocontrol of plant pathogens. This book discusses and goes into detail on a number of topics: the molecular basis of nutrient exchange between arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and host plants; the role of AM fungi in disease protection, alleviation of soil stresses and increasing grain production; interactions of AM fungi and beneficial saprophytic mycoflora in terms of plant growth promotion; the role of AM fungi in the restoration of native ecosystems; indirect contributions of AM fungi and soil aggregation to plant growth and mycorrhizosphere effect of multitrophic interaction; the mechanisms by which mycorrhizas change a disturbed ecosystem into productive land; the importance of reinstallation of mycorrhizal systems in the rhizosphere is emphasized and their impact on landscape regeneration, and in bioremediation of contaminated soils; Ectomycorrhizae (ECM) and their importance in forest ecosystems and associations of ECM in tropical rain forests function to maintain tropical monodominance; in vitro mycorrhization of micro-propagated plants, and visualizing and quantifying endorhizal fungi; the use of mycorrhizae, mainly AM and ECM, for sustainable agriculture and forestry.

This volume explores the various functions and potential applications of mycorrhizas, including topics such as the dynamics of root colonization, soil carbon sequestration and the function of mycorrhizas in extreme environments. Some contributions focus on the use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in various crop production processes, including soil management practices, their use as biofertilizers and in relation to medicinal plants. Other chapters elucidate the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the alleviation of plant water stress and of heavy metal toxicity, in the remediation of saline soils, in mining-site rehabilitation and in the reforestation of degraded tropical forests. In addition to their impact in ecosystems, the economic benefits of applying arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are discussed. A final chapter describes recent advances in the cultivation of edible mycorrhizal mushrooms.

Mycorrhizas are highly evoloved mutualistic associations between the soil fungi and plant roots. The partners in the association are members of the fungus kingdom and most vascular plants. This manual explains procedures used by scientists who work with mycorrhizal fungi and roots in the laboratory, nursery, or natural and managed ecosystems. Many of the techniques use readily obtainable and relatively inexpensive equipment and chemicals.

Microbes are essential components of the ecosystem. Mycorrhizal fungi in the rhizosphere support or inhibit plant growth naturally. Plant growth-promoting fungi help to improve crop yield and crop sustainability in adverse environmental conditions including soil salinity, drought, high and low temperatures, and infections from pathogens and pests. Mycorrhizal fungi secrete plant growth-promoting substances, enzymes, and other metabolites, all of which play a vital role in enhancing the productivity of economically important plants. These fungi also reduce the need to use chemicals in agriculture, which helps to minimize soil pollutants. This book provides updated information on the production and utilization of mycorrhizal fungi for sustainable agriculture and forestry.

The most up-to-date reference on phytomicrobiomes available today The Plant Microbiome in Sustainable Agriculture combines the most relevant and timely information available today in the fields of nutrient and food security. With a particular emphasis on current research progress and perspectives of future development in the area, The Plant Microbiome in Sustainable Agriculture is an invaluable reference for students and researchers in the field, as well as those with an interest in microbiome research and development. The book covers both terrestrial and crop associated microbiomes, unveiling the biological, biotechnological and technical aspects of research. Topics discussed include: Developing model plant microbiome systems for various agriculturally important crops Defining core microbiomes and metagenomes in these model systems Defining synthetic microbiomes for a sustainable increase in food production and quality The Plant Microbiome in Sustainable Agriculture is written to allow a relative neophyte to learn and understand the basic concepts involved in phytomicrobiomes and discuss them intelligently with colleagues.

Zusammenfassung: This 2-volume book is an up-to-date overview of current progress in Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal (AMF) technique development, inoculum production and its quality regulations, application in agriculture, horticulture, agroforestry, and other ecosystems, along with nutrient management for sustainable food production. It contains the current advancement in basic and molecular techniques, challenges, opportunities, and determinates of various AMF production methods and major tools and techniques for their field application. Production and development of AMF is rapidly evolving and requires a multidisciplinary approach with up-to-date knowledge to broaden and strengthen the perspective of researchers involved in this domain. The volumes offer new insight and cutting-edge information for novices and experts such as students, academicians, researchers, environmentalists, industrialists, and others interested in mycorrhiza. The first volume covers some basic isolation techniques, enumeration, and molecular studies with recent advances in various in-vitro and in-vivo production technologies, regulatory issues, and application methodologies for field inoculation. It also discusses AMF application in various agroecosystems for sustainable agricultural production and a healthier planet

This book, prepared by participants of the European network COST ACTION 810 (1989-93) is the outcome of a meeting held in Switzerland (Einsiedeln, September 29 to October 2, 1993) on the "Impact of arbuscular mycorrhizas on sustainable agriculture and natural ecosystems". COST(Cooperation Scientifique et Technique) Networks were created in 1971 by the Commission of European Communities, and later enlarged to include non-European Member States, to promote pre-competitive scientific and technical research in fields of common interest. During the eighties, COST ACTIONS were launched in bio technological fields, including the network on arbuscular mycorrhizas. Arbuscular mycorrhizas are a universally found symbiosis between plants and certain soil fungi and essential components of soil-plant systems. They act as a major inter face by influencing or regulating resource allocation between abiotic and biotic components of the soil-plant system. Arbuscular mycorrhizas are involved in many key ecosystem processes including nutrient cycling and conservation of soil struc ture, and have been shown to improve plant health through increased protection against abiotic and biotic stresses. Sustainability can be defined as the successful management of resources to satisfy changing human needs while maintaining or enhancing the quality of the environ ment and conserving resources. Increasing environmental degradation and instability, due to anthropogenic activities and in particular the increasing fragility of the soil resource, has led to an increased awareness of the need to develop practices resulting in more sustainable natural and agroecosystems.

Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (AM) is the most common mycorrhizal type involved in agricultural systems, and the most widespread plant root symbiosis. The fungi involved (Glomales) are known to promote plant growth and health by acting as biofertilizers, bioprotectors and bioregulators. The main aim of this book is to provide readers with theoretical and applied knowledge essential for the use of AM fungi in improving plant health and fitness, production of high quality food and in conservation of natural resources. The different chapters target understanding the role of AM fungi in sustainable crop production, discussing ways to improve biological equilibria between microorganisms in the mycorrhizosphere, analysing genetic, physiological, cellular and molecular bases of AM functioning and establishing technologies for inoculum production, according to the regulatory guidelines for application.

Soil harbours a wide range of microorganisms with biotic potentials which can be explored for social benefits. The book Frontiers in Soil and Environmental Microbiology comprises an overview of the complex inter-relationship between beneficial soil microbes and crop plants, and highlights the potential for utilisation to enhance crop productivity, bioremediation and soil health. The book focusses on important areas of research such as biocide production, pesticide degradation and detoxification, microbial decay processes, remediation of soils contaminated with toxic metals, industrial wastes, and hydrocarbon pollutants. Features Presents the state of the art of microbial research in environmental and soil microbiology Discusses an integrated and systematic compilation of microbes in the soil environment and its role in agriculture and plant growth and productivity Elucidates microbial application in environmental remediation Explores advanced genomics topics for uncultivable microbes of soil