Mycorrhizal Fungi: Use in Sustainable Agriculture and Land Restoration (Soil Biology Book 41)

This volume explores the various functions and potential applications of mycorrhizas, including topics such as the dynamics of root colonization, soil carbon sequestration and the function of mycorrhizas in extreme environments. Some contributions focus on the use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in various crop production processes, including soil management practices, their use as biofertilizers and in relation to medicinal plants. Other chapters elucidate the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the alleviation of plant water stress and of heavy metal toxicity, in the remediation of saline soils, in mining-site rehabilitation and in the reforestation of degraded tropical forests. In addition to their impact in ecosystems, the economic benefits of applying arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are discussed. A final chapter describes recent advances in the cultivation of edible mycorrhizal mushrooms. Front Matter....Pages i-ix Use of Mycorrhiza in Sustainable Agriculture and Land Restoration....Pages 1-15 Assessing Economic Benefits of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi as a Potential Indicator of Soil Health....Pages 17-31 Contribution of Dynamics of Root Colonisation by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Communities to Ecosystem Function....Pages 33-43 Biofertilizers with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Agriculture....Pages 45-66 Mycorrhizal Inoculum Production....Pages 67-79 Use of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Inocula for Horticultural Crop Production....Pages 81-87 Management of the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbiosis in Sustainable Crop Production....Pages 89-118 Application of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Production of Annual Oilseed Crops....Pages 119-148 Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Diversity and Function in Grassland Ecosystems....Pages 149-169 Application of AM Fungi to Improve the Value of Medicinal Plants....Pages 171-187 Arbuscular Mycorrhizas and Their Role in Plant Zinc Nutrition....Pages 189-200 Function of Mycorrhizae in Extreme Environments....Pages 201-214 Alleviation of Soil Stresses by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi....Pages 215-224 Mechanisms for Alleviation of Plant Water Stress Involving Arbuscular Mycorrhizas....Pages 225-239 Role of Mycorrhizal Fungi in the Alleviation of Heavy Metal Toxicity in Plants....Pages 241-258 Arsenic Uptake and Phytoremediation Potential by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi....Pages 259-275 Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Colonization and Agricultural Land Use History....Pages 277-286 Contribution of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi to Soil Carbon Sequestration....Pages 287-296 Biochar as a Habitat for Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi....Pages 297-311 Application of AM Fungi in Remediation of Saline Soils....Pages 313-324 Use of Mycorrhizal Fungi for Forest Plantations and Minesite Rehabilitation....Pages 325-355 Use of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi for Reforestation of Degraded Tropical Forests....Pages 357-373 Recent Advances in Cultivation of Edible Mycorrhizal Mushrooms....Pages 375-397 Back Matter....Pages 399-407 2.1 Introduction to Soil Health Indicators2.2 Introduction to Economic Evaluation of Environmental Contributions; 2.3 Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Measurement; 2.4 Mycorrhizal Benefits and Costs; 2.5 Is There a Link Between Mycorrhiza Measurement and Benefit?; 2.6 Risk Minimisation Strategies; 2.7 Conclusion; References; Chapter 3: Contribution of Dynamics of Root Colonisation by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Communities to Ecosystem Function; 3.1 Introduction; 3.2 Colonisation of Roots by AM Fungi; 3.3 Relative Abundance of AM Fungi Within Roots; 3.4 Function of Communities of AM Fungi; 3.5 Conclusion 5.6 Qualitative and Quantitative Production of Mycorrhizal Inocula5.7 Ethical and Legal View of Using Inoculum; 5.8 Conclusion; References; Chapter 6: Use of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Inocula for Horticultural Crop Production; 6.1 Introduction; 6.2 Application of Chemical Fertilizers to Horticultural Crops; 6.3 Inoculation of Horticultural Crops with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi; 6.3.1 Mycorrhizal Dependency of Horticultural Crops; 6.3.2 Inoculation Under Field Condition; 6.4 Factors Affecting Contributions of AM Fungi to Horticultural Crops Under Field Conditions; References Preface; Contents; Chapter 1: Use of Mycorrhiza in Sustainable Agriculture and Land Restoration; 1.1 Introduction; 1.2 Molecular Identification and New Taxonomic Classification of AM Fungi; 1.3 Mechanisms of Nutrient Exchange in Arbuscular Mycorrhizas; 1.4 Role of AM Fungi in Sustainable Agriculture; 1.5 Role of AM and ECM Fungi in Protection of Soil-Borne Diseases; 1.6 Role of AM and ECM Fungi in Restoration of Native Forest Ecosystems; 1.7 Conclusions; References; Chapter 2: Assessing Economic Benefits of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi as a Potential Indicator of Soil Health Chapter 7: Management of the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbiosis in Sustainable Crop Production7.1 Introduction; 7.2 Arbuscular Mycorrhizas: A Component of Sustainable Crop Production; 7.2.1 Efficiency of Soil Nutrient Dynamics; 7.2.2 Reduced Biotic and Abiotic Limitations Increase Nutrient Capture by AM Crops; 7.2.2.1 Arbuscular Mycorrhiza and Plant Bioprotection; 7.2.2.2 Arbuscular Mycorrhiza and Plant Drought Stress; 7.3 Managing the AM Symbiosis in Cropping Systems; 7.3.1 Understanding Tillage Effect to Optimize AM Symbiosis-Related Benefits