Emerging Role of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Sustainable Agriculture: From Biology to Field Application

In recent years, increasing consumer demand for organic food and chemical free agricultural products has driven a shift toward microbial-based approaches, which are being adopted to replace traditional agrochemicals, used for nutrient supplementation and protection against plant pathogens. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can form symbiotic associations with up to 80% of plant roots, are widely employed as bio stimulants, biofertilizers, or biopesticides to improve agricultural productivity. Currently, a range of AMF strains are commercially produced and applied as soil inoculants to improve agricultural yields. Although the effectiveness of these inoculants depends on multiple factors, including the selection of AMF strains, choice of carrier materials and methods of application. In addition, production strategies play a critical role in determining both the concentration and the viability of the inoculum. Despite significant technological advancements, only a limited number of AMF strains have been commercially exploited as inoculants. Thus, the present review aims to briefly discuss the latest aspects of AMF biology, their functional role in abiotic and biotic stress management. Furthermore, this review paper also discusses different production strategies and highlights the challenges associated with the commercialization of AMF inoculants, including limited strain diversity, propagule viability, formulation stability, and inconsistent field performance.