Molecular community and population studies of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomeromycota)

2014

The arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis, which appeared at the same time as land plants, 460 million years ago, is a mutualistic beneficial association between most land plants, including those cultivated, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). AMF, from the Glomeromycota phylum, are widespread soil microorganisms needing a photosynthetic host to complete their life cycle (obligate symbionts). The great potential of plant mineral nutrition improvement and crop production increased during this symbiosis, make AMF an asset in the context of an increase in the demand of world food crop production. The control of that symbiosis by ecology engineering in order to improve ecosystem services, especi…