Agam Khare

By Kamal Prasad, Agam Khare and Prateek Rawat

Glomalin, a type of glycoprotein produced by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the phylum Glomeromycota, contributes to the mitigation of soil degradation. Moreover, AM fungi and glomalin are highly correlated with other soil physico-chemical parameters and are sensitive to changes in the environment; also, they have been recommended for monitoring the recovery of degraded soil or stages of soil degradation. AM fungi are commonly known as bio-fertilisers. Moreover, it is widely believed that the inoculation of AM fungi provides tolerance to host plants against various stressful situations like heat, salinity, drought, metals and extreme temperatures. AM fungi, being natural root symbionts, provide essential plant inorganic nutrients to host plants, thereby improving growth and yield under unstressed and stressed regimes. The role of AM fungi as a bio-fertiliser can potentially strengthen plants’ adaptability to changing environment. They also improve plant resilience to plant diseases and root system development, allowing for better nutrient absorption from the soil. As a result, they can be utilised as both a biofertilizer and a biocontrol agent. Present manuscript represents the potential of AM fungi as biostimulants can probably strengthen plants’ ability to change the agriculture system for green technology.

Part of the book: Fungal Reproduction and Growth