Progress of Research on Culture and Application of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi

doi:10.7525/j.issn.1673-5102.2025.03.007

Abstract

Abstract:

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi（AMF） are one of the crucial microbial communities in the soil ecosystem. Researches on AMF reproductive techniques and their applications in practice have profound significance for elevating agricultural production efficiency and sustainability. This paper reviewed the latest research advancements in the symbiotic mechanism of AMF and its application in propagation systems and microbial inoculants. It explored the molecular mechanism through which AMF establish symbiotic relationships with plant roots； analyzed the optimization strategies for AMF propagation systems， encompassing key factors such as aseptic culture techniques， substrate selection， and environmental control； discussed the application potential of AMF inoculants in actual production， including enhancing crop yields， strengthening plant stress resistance， and improving soil structure. It highlighted the practical issues existing in the current application domains of AMF and the future research directions. The purpose was to offer a reference for further comprehension of the significance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and lay the foundation for the development of novel microbial inoculants and their application in agricultural ecosystems in the future.

Key words: arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, symbiotic mechanism, propagation system, application of microbial inoculants

CLC Number:

Q948.12

Boyan WANG, Jin CHEN, Qixiu CHENG, Yueming BAO, Haining WANG, Rui QIN, Xiaoyu LI. Progress of Research on Culture and Application of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi[J]. Bulletin of Botanical Research, 2025, 45(3): 361-370.

Figures/Tables 2

References 66

1	REDECKER D， KODNER R， GRAHAM L E.Glomalean fungi from the Ordovician［J］.Science，2000，289（5486）：1920-1921.
2	SMITH S E， READ D.Mycorrhizal symbiosis［M］.3rd ed.New York：Academic Press，2008.
3	SPORTES A， HÉRICHÉ M， BOUSSAGEON R，et al.A historical perspective on mycorrhizal mutualism emphasizing arbuscular mycorrhizas and their emerging challenges［J］.Mycorrhiza，2021，31：637-653.
4	YU L M， ZHANG Z F， ZHOU L W.Advances in the studies on symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi of traditional Chinese medicinal plants［J］.Biocell，2022，46（12）：2559-2573.
5	BRUNDRETT M C， TEDERSOO L.Evolutionary history of mycorrhizal symbioses and global host plant diversity［J］.New Phytologist，2018，220（4）：1108-1115.
6	SCHAARSCHMIDT S， HAUSE B.Apoplastic invertases：multi-faced players in the arbuscular mycorrhization［J］.Plant Signaling & Behavior，2008，3（5）：317-319.
7	SABOOR A， ALI M A， HUSSAIN S，et al.Zinc nutrition and arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis effects on maize （Zea mays L.） growth and productivity［J］.Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences，2021，28（11）：6339-6351.
8	ZHANG Y C， ZOU Y N， LIU L P，et al.Common mycorrhizal networks activate salicylic acid defense responses of trifoliate orange （Poncirus trifoliata）［J］.Journal of Integrative Plant Biology，2019，61（10）：1099-1111.
9	YU H， LIU X Y， YANG C，et al.Co-symbiosis of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi （AMF） and diazotrophs promote biological nitrogen fixation in mangrove ecosystems［J］.Soil Biology and Biochemistry，2021，161：108382.
10	LI X R， SHI F， ZHOU M，et al.Migration and accumulation of microplastics in soil-plant systems mediated by symbiotic microorganisms and their ecological effects［J］.Environment International，2024，191：108965.
11	GUL S， WHALEN J K.Biochemical cycling of nitrogen and phosphorus in biochar-amended soils［J］.Soil Biology and Biochemistry，2016，103：1-15.
12	ZHOU J C， ZHANG L， FENG G，et al.Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi have a greater role than root hairs of maize for priming the rhizosphere microbial community and enhancing rhizosphere organic P mineralization［J］.Soil Biology and Biochemistry，2022，171：108713.
13	BESSERER A， PUECH-PAGÈS V， KIEFER P，et al.Strigolactones stimulate arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi by activating mitochondria［J］.PLoS Biology，2006，4（7）：e226.
14	JIANG F， ZHANG L， ZHOU J，et al.Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi enhance mineralisation of organic phosphorus by carrying bacteria along their extraradical hyphae［J］.New Phytologist，2021，230（1）：304-315.
15	RICH M K， NOURI E， COURTY P E，et al.Diet of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi：bread and butter？［J］.Trends in Plant Science，2017，22（8）：652-660.
16	HUANG H， LIU S J， DU Y，et al.Carbon allocation mediated by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi alters the soil microbial community under various phosphorus levels［J］.Fungal Ecology，2023，62：101227.
17	李少杰，肖清山，宋福强，等.丛枝菌根（AM）真菌扩培技术研究进展［J］.中国农学通报，2022，38（9）：115-122.
	LI S J， XIAO Q S， SONG F Q，et al.Propagation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi：a review［J］.Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin，2022，38（9）：115-122.
18	HAY M J M.A technique for growing mycorrhizal clover in solution culture［J］.New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research，1981，24（3/4）：371-372.
19	ELMES R P， MOSSE B.Vesicular-arbuscular endomycorrhizal inoculum production.II.Experiments with maize （Zea mays） and other hosts in nutrient flow culture［J］.Canadian Journal of Botany，1984，62（7）：1531-1536.
20	黄玉丹，张淑彬，李琳，等.丛枝菌根真菌繁殖体的高效扩繁［J］.微生物学通报，2023，50（2）：503-513.
	HUANG Y D， ZHANG S B， LIN L，et al.Efficient propagation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal propagules［J］.Microbiology China，2023，50（2）：503-513.
21	KLIRONOMOS J N.Variation in plant response to native and exotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi［J］.Ecology，2003，84（9）：2292-2301.
22	马俊卿，侯宁，孙晨瑜，等.宿主不同对丛枝菌根真菌扩繁效应的影响［J］.中国农学通报，2022，38（1）：7-14.
	MA J Q， HOU N， SUN C Y，et al.Effects of different hosts on propagation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi［J］.Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin，2022，38（1）：7-14.
23	李媛媛，王晓娟，豆存艳，等.四种宿主植物及其不同栽培密度对AM真菌扩繁的影响［J］.草业学报，2013，22（5）：128-135.
	LI Y Y， WANG X J， DOU C Y，et al.Effects of four host plants and different cultivation densities on the propagation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi［J］.Acta Prataculturae Sinica，2013，22（5）：128-135.
24	冉海燕，江龙.AM真菌离体双重培养研究进展［J］.山地农业生物学报，2016，35（2）：62-67.
	RAN H Y， JIANG L.The research progress of AM fungi in vitro dual culture［J］.Journal of Mountain Agriculture and Biology，2016，35（2）：62-67.
25	MOSSE B.The establishment of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza under aseptic conditions［J］.Journal of General Microbiology，1962，27（3）：509-520.
26	王晶晶，孙淑斌，徐国华.丛枝菌根真菌侵染番茄离体毛状根双重培养体系的建立［J］.菌物学报，2010， 29（1）：68-74.
	WANG J J， SUN S B， XU G H.An in vitro dual culturing system established with tomato hairy roots and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi［J］.Mycosystema，2010，29（1）：68-74.
27	SRINIVASAN M， KUMAR K， KUMUTHA K，et al.Establishing monoxenic culture of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices through root organ culture［J］.Journal of Applied and Natural Science，2014，6（1）：290-293.
28	HILDEBRANDT U， JANETTA K， BOTHE H.Towards growth of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi independent of a plant host［J］.Applied and Environmental Microbiology，2002，68（4）：1919-1924.
29	KAMEOKA H， TSUTSUI I， SAITO K，et al.Stimulation of asymbiotic sporulation in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi by fatty acids［J］.Nature Microbiology，2019，4（10）：1654-1660.
30	SUGIURA Y， AKIYAMA R， TANAKA S，et al.Myristate can be used as a carbon and energy source for the asymbiotic growth of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi［J］.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America，2020，117（41）：25779-25788.
31	TANAKA S， HASHIMOTO K， KOBAYASHI Y，et al.Asymbiotic mass production of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus clarus ［J］.Communications Biology，2022，5（1）：43.
32	WU Q S， LIU C Y， ZHANG D J，et al.Mycorrhiza alters the profile of root hairs in trifoliate orange［J］.Mycorrhiza，2016，26（3）：237-247.
33	MARLEAU J， DALPÉ Y， ST-ARNAUD M，et al.Spore development and nuclear inheritance in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi［J］.BMC Evolutionary Biology，2011，11：51.
34	SHI X N， COLLADO C E， HERNÁNDEZ R.Improve Cannabis sativa micropropagation through increasing air change rate in photoautotrophic and traditional tissue culture［J］.Scientia Horticulturae，2024，333：113238.
35	LIU W K， YANG Q C.Integration of mycorrhization and photoautotrophic micropropagation in vitro：feasibility analysis for mass production of mycorrhizal transplants and inoculants of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi［J］.Plant Cell，Tissue and Organ Culture，2008，95：131-139.
36	PARÉ L， BANCHINI C， HAMEL C，et al.A simple and low-cost technique to initiate single-spore cultures of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi using a superabsorbent polymer［J］.Symbiosis，2022，88（1）：61-73.
37	AFFOKPON A， COYNE D L， LAWOUIN L，et al.Effectiveness of native West African arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in protecting vegetable crops against root-knot nematodes［J］.Biology and Fertility of Soils，2011，47：207-217.
38	BAUM C， EL-TOHAMY W， GRUDA N.Increasing the productivity and product quality of vegetable crops using arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi：a review［J］.Scientia Horticulturae，2015，187：131-141.
39	LI Y D， NAN Z B， MATTHEW C，et al.Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus changes alfalfa （Medicago sativa） metabolites in response to leaf spot （Phoma medicaginis） infection，with subsequent effects on pea aphid （Acyrthosiphon pisum） behavior［J］.New Phytologist，2023， 239（1）：286-300.
40	PASKOVIĆ I， SOLDO B， BAN S G，et al.Fruit quality and volatile compound composition of processing tomato as affected by fertilisation practices and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi application［J］.Food Chemistry，2021，359：129961.
41	CHENG X F， XIE M M， LI Y，et al.Effects of field inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and endophytic fungi on fruit quality and soil properties of Newhall navel orange［J］.Applied Soil Ecology，2022，170：104308.
42	HARTMANN M，SIX J.Soil structure and microbiome functions in agroecosystems［J］.Nature Reviews Earth & Environment，2023，4（1）：4-18.
43	WU Q S， WANG S， SRIVASTAVA A K.Mycorrhizal hyphal disruption induces changes in plant growth，glomalin-related soil protein and soil aggregation of trifoliate orange in a core system［J］.Soil and Tillage Research，2016，160：82-91.
44	WANG B Y， XIAO Q C， GENG X W，et al.Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi alter rhizosphere bacterial diversity，network stability and function of lettuce in barren soil［J］.Scientia Horticulturae，2024，323：112533.
45	ZHANG Z F， MALLIK A， ZHANG J C，et al.Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on inoculated seedling growth and rhizosphere soil aggregates［J］.Soil and Tillage Research，2019，194：104340.
46	SOLÍS-RAMOS L Y， COTO-LÓPEZ C， ANDRADE-TORRES A.Role of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in remediation of anthropogenic soil pollution［J］.Symbiosis，2021，84（3）：321-336.
47	BI Y L， DU X P， TIAN L X，et al.Effects of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus on Amorpha fruticosa roots and soil preferential flow in an arid area of opencast coal mine waste［J］.Soil and Tillage Research，2025，245：106321.
48	GIRI B， SAXENA B.Response of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to global climate change and their role in terrestrial ecosystem C and N cycling［M］//VARMA A，PRASAD R，TUTEJA N.Mycorrhiza-function，diversity，state of the art.Cham：Springer，2017：305-327.
49	BOYNO G， YERLI C， ÇAKMAKCI T，et al.The effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on carbon dioxide （CO₂） emission from turfgrass soil under different irrigation intervals［J］.Journal of Water and Climate Change，2024，15（2）：541-553.
50	TANG B， MAN J， LEHMANN A，et al.Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi benefit plants in response to major global change factors［J］.Ecology Letters，2023，26（12）：2087-2097.
51	MASON A R G， LOWE A J， BRIEN C，et al.Response of wheat to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation and biochar application：implications for soil carbon sequestration［J］.Soil Biology and Biochemistry，2024，199：109611.
52	LI Z S， LI Y Y， ZHANG Q，et al.Synergistic mechanisms of AMF and biochar driving rhizosphere fungal community in shallot in barren soil［J］.Horticultural Plant Journal，2024，10（5）：1252-1256.
53	JIN X H， LIU K， ZHANG N L，et al.The combined application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and biochar improves the Cd tolerance of Cinnamomum camphora seedlings［J］.Rhizosphere，2024，31：100939.
54	龙勇，林叶春，蔡凯，等.添加菜籽饼或菜籽油对植烟土壤差异代谢物的影响［J］.湖南农业科学，2024（9）：63-67.
	LONG Y， LIN Y C， CAI K，et al.Effects of rapeseed meal or oil on differential metabolites in tobacco-planting soil［J］.Hunan Agricultural Sciences，2024（9）：63-67.
55	SRIVASTAVA A K， SINGH S， MARATHE R A.Organic citrus：soil fertility and plant nutrition［J］.Journal of Sustainable Agriculture，2002，19（3）：5-29.
56	QIU L， GAO W L， WANG Z G，et al.Citric acid and AMF inoculation combination-assisted phytoextraction of vanadium （V） by Medicago sativa in V mining contaminated soil［J］.Environmental Science and Pollution Research，2021，28：67472-67486.
57	KHAFAGI E Y， EL-ABEID S E， SOLIMAN M S，et al.Role of arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi and humic acid in controlling root and crown rot of strawberry［J］.Plant Pathology Journal，2018，17（2）：65-74.
58	ZHANG J L， ZHAO R T， LI X，et al.Potential of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for soil health：a review［J］.Pedosphere，2024，34（2）：279-288.
59	El-SHARKAWY H H A， ABBAS M S， SOLIMAN A S，et al.Synergistic effect of growth-promoting microorganisms on bio-control of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.pisi，growth，yield，physiological and anatomical characteristics of pea plants［J］.Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology，2021，178：104939.
60	ZHANG Q， CHEN J， LI Y Y，et al.Effects of interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and bacteria on the growth of Lotus corniculatus L.：from the perspective of regulating rhizosphere fungal community［J］.Pedosphere，2024，34（2）：411-423.
61	DE CARVALHO NETA S J， ARAÚJO V L V P， FRACETTO F J C，et al.Growth-promoting bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus enhance maize tolerance to saline stress［J］.Microbiological Research，2024，284：127708.
62	NAFADY N A， SULTAN R， EL-ZAWAHRY A M，et al.Effective and promising strategy in management of tomato root-knot nematodes by Trichoderma harzianum and arbuscular mycorrhizae［J］.Agronomy，2022，12（2）：315.
63	YUAN S F， LI M Y， FANG Z Y，et al.Biological control of tobacco bacterial wilt using Trichoderma harzianum amended bioorganic fertilizer and the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomus mosseae ［J］.Biological Control，2016，92：164-171.
64	QIN Z F， ZHANG H Y， FENG G，et al.Soil phosphorus availability modifies the relationship between AM fungal diversity and mycorrhizal benefits to maize in an agricultural soil［J］.Soil Biology and Biochemistry，2020，144：107790.
65	FENG Z W， LIU X D， FENG G D，et al.Linking lipid transfer with reduced arbuscule formation in tomato roots colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus under low pH stress［J］.Environmental Microbiology，2020， 22（3）：1036-1051.
66	GAI J P， FAN J Q， ZHANG S B，et al.Direct effects of soil cadmium on the growth and activity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi［J］.Rhizosphere，2018，7：43-48.

[1]	Wenhui YAN, Shilong DUAN, Lin ZHANG. Mechanisms and Regulation of Interactions between AM Fungi and Hyphosphere Bacteria in Organic Phosphorus Mineralization [J]. Bulletin of Botanical Research, 2025, 45(3): 345-351.
[2]	Zhaoyi LI, Longfei HAO, Tingyan LIU, Yanhong HE, You ZHANG, Shulan BAI, Xinyu YANG. AM Fungi Inoculation on Root Morphology and Nutrient Loading of Clematis fruticosa Seedlings under Simulated Atmospheric Nitrogen Deposition [J]. Bulletin of Botanical Research, 2022, 42(5): 886-895.
[3]	XU Hui;ZHANG Jie*. Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Plant Growth [J]. Bulletin of Botanical Research, 2007, 27(5): 636-640.