Beneath the surface of forests, grasslands and farms across the world, vast fungal webs form underground trading systems to exchange nutrients with plant roots, acting as critical climate regulators a...

Agricultural sustainability is becoming increasingly threatened by climate change and anthropogenic activities. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) provide an important solution through their symbiotic associations with plant roots, enhancing nutrient acquisition, improving soil structure, mitigating stress effects, and contributing to carbon sequestration through glomalin production. AMF improves the bioavailability of essential nutrients by extending hyphal networks and activating nutrient transporter genes. They also aid in heavy metal detoxification by sequestering metals within hyphae, reducing plant uptake, and safeguarding tissues, while supporting carbon sequestration by stabilizing soil aggregates. Across diverse taxa, AMF exhibit species-specific adaptations to different soil types and agroecosystems, contributing to phosphorus solubilization, nitrogen use efficiency, and metal sequestration. Molecular insights revealed that AMF symbiosis activates genes related to nutrient exchange and stress adaptation, including the Ca2⁺ signaling pathways. Advanced inoculation techniques, such as high-efficiency spore propagation, seed pelleting, and bioreactor-based production, provide scalable and contamination-free applications that reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers and promote sustainable cropping systems. Future research should focus on integrating molecular tools, precision agriculture, and real-time monitoring to optimize AMF application strategies, enhance nutrient cycling, and strengthen soil health, thereby advancing sustainable food systems and addressing global agricultural challenges.

Expert on mycorrhizal fungi honored for efforts to map and protect the underground networks that sustain life on Earth

Beneath the surface of forests, grasslands and farms across the world, vast fungal webs form underground trading systems to exchange nutrients with plant roots, acting as critical climate regulators as they draw down 13 billion tons of carbon annually.

They rarely take center stage. But on Wednesday, January 14, mycorrhizal fungi – unseen but essential to life on Earth – are occupying the spotlight during

Toby Kiers, an American mycologist and evolutionary biologist, is working on all fronts to raise awareness about the importance of plant-fungi interactions and the urgent need to protect this biodiversity.