Summary
This review by Jansa, Wiemken, and Frossard examines how a range of conventional agricultural practices influence arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities, which are critical mediators of plant nutrient uptake — particularly phosphorus — and soil structural integrity. The authors likely draw on field and glasshouse studies to show that intensive tillage, high phosphorus inputs, and certain agrochemicals can substantially reduce AMF diversity and function. The paper contributes to understanding how farming system choices shape the biological capacity of soils to support plant nutrition.
UK applicability
The findings are broadly applicable to UK arable and mixed farming systems, where intensive tillage and high fertiliser inputs are common; the review supports policy and agronomic interest in reduced tillage and precision nutrient management as means of conserving soil biological health.
Key measures
AMF species diversity; AMF spore density; mycorrhizal colonisation rates; hyphal length in soil; effects of tillage, phosphorus fertilisation, fungicide application, and crop rotation on AMF communities
Outcomes reported
The study reviewed and synthesised evidence on how common agricultural practices — including tillage, fertilisation, pesticide application, and crop rotation — affect the diversity, abundance, and function of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in agricultural soils. It likely assessed implications for soil biological fertility and plant nutrient uptake.
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.