Summary
This narrative review synthesises recent advances in mycorrhizal symbiosis research, emphasising how genomic and molecular approaches have revealed the genes and mechanisms underpinning nutrient acquisition and symbiosis development across 250,000+ plant species. The authors evaluate the ecosystem services provided by mycorrhizal networks—particularly nutrient cycling and soil structure formation—and discuss their promising application for sustainable agriculture and forestry through enhanced nutrient uptake and stress resilience. The review identifies unresolved research frontiers critical to leveraging mycorrhizal associations for ecological sustainability.
UK applicability
Findings are globally relevant and directly applicable to UK temperate agriculture and forestry. Enhanced understanding of mycorrhizal-mediated nutrient cycling and stress tolerance could inform UK policy on sustainable intensification, organic farming transitions, and climate adaptation strategies for crop and woodland systems.
Key measures
Genomic characterisation of mycorrhizal fungi (250+ genomes released); genes regulating symbiosis development and metabolism; rDNA metabarcoding and metatranscriptomics data; nutrient uptake capacity; soil organic matter decomposition; stress tolerance traits
Outcomes reported
The review synthesises recent genomic and metagenomic advances that have characterised genes and ecological functions of mycorrhizal associations. It evaluates ecosystem services provided by mycorrhizal networks and their potential to enhance nutrient acquisition, stress tolerance, and sustainability in agriculture and forestry.
Topic tags
Dig deeper with Pulse AI.
Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.