Summary
This multi-country field study, led by van der Heijden and colleagues, demonstrates that conventional agricultural management practices and pesticide applications significantly impair the functioning of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi—symbiotic organisms critical to plant nutrition and soil health. The findings suggest that intensive farming systems reduce AMF effectiveness in supporting plant nutrient acquisition, with implications for soil fertility maintenance and resilience. As suggested by the title and authorship, the work provides empirical evidence for trade-offs between short-term productivity gains and long-term belowground ecosystem function.
UK applicability
These findings are directly applicable to UK arable and mixed farming systems, where pesticide use and intensive management are widespread. The results may inform soil health policy and organic farming incentives under the Agricultural Transition Plan and Environmental Land Management schemes.
Key measures
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community composition, colonisation rates, nutrient transfer efficiency, and phosphorus uptake by host plants under different management regimes and pesticide exposure scenarios.
Outcomes reported
The study assessed how agricultural management practices and pesticide use affect the functioning of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), key plant symbionts that enhance nutrient uptake and soil health. Functioning was measured across multiple European farming systems.
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