Summary
This review, published in Plant Communications (2025), examines arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal networks as a climate-smart agricultural framework, drawing on a broad international author group spanning agronomy, soil biology, and plant science. It likely synthesises current understanding of how AM networks mediate plant nutrient acquisition, soil carbon dynamics, and abiotic stress tolerance, positioning these biological systems as practical tools for sustainable farming under climate pressure. The paper arguably offers a blueprint for integrating AM fungi into agricultural management to reduce reliance on synthetic fertilisers and improve ecosystem resilience.
UK applicability
Although the review is global in scope, its findings are highly applicable to UK agriculture, where policy frameworks such as the Sustainable Farming Incentive increasingly incentivise soil health and reduced fertiliser inputs; AM fungal management aligns well with these goals, particularly in arable and mixed farming systems.
Key measures
Mycorrhizal colonisation rates; nutrient uptake efficiency (phosphorus, nitrogen); soil carbon stocks; crop stress tolerance indicators; greenhouse gas emissions proxies
Outcomes reported
The paper likely reviews how arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) networks contribute to crop resilience, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration under changing climatic conditions. It probably synthesises evidence on AM fungi as a nature-based strategy for reducing synthetic input dependency whilst maintaining or improving yields.
Topic tags
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