ISSN: 0973-7510

E-ISSN: 2581-690X

Review Article | Open Access
M. Priyadharshini1, R. Thamizh Vendan2 , K. Kumutha3 , R. Subhashini1, R. Amutha4, S. Merina Prem Kumari5 and I. Yesu Raja6
1Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
2Registrar, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
3Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.
4Department of Seed Science and Technology, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.
5Department of Biotechnology, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.
6Department of Plant Pathology, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Article Number: 10148 | © The Author(s). 2025
J Pure Appl Microbiol. 2025;19(2):848-868. https://doi.org/10.22207/JPAM.19.2.17
Received: 12 December 2024 | Accepted: 04 April 2025 | Published online: 21 May 2025
Issue online: June 2025
Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is an important biological breakthrough which assisted plant land colonization over 400 million years ago. This widespread mutualistic interaction between fungi and plants enhances nutrient exchange, ecological sustainability, plant stress resistance, and host plant development. AM symbiosis improves plant nutrition by deriving nutrients through both mycorrhizal pathways and the Plant’s own pathways. AMF influence nutrient availability by altering soil properties, microbial populations, and nutrient cycling. Understanding the life cycle of AMF, spore germination, sporulation, colonization, and symbiosis formation are critical for large-scale agricultural applications. Root organ culture (ROC) techniques offer intriguing possibilities to mass producing AMF under in vitro. This review surveys the literature on these topics, focusing on methods for enhancing sporulation in in vitro. Enhancing in vitro sporulation can be achieved by supplementing growth media with phenolic compounds, fatty acids, and phytohormones, and optimizing the media and related factors. These compounds regulate fungal growth and development, leading to increased sporulation and improved AMF inoculant efficacy. Further research is needed to provide quality inoculum and develop crop-specific formulations and delivery methods to harness the potential of AMF in diverse agroecosystems.

Keywords

AM Fungi, Life Cycle, Root Organ Culture, Signalling Compounds, Plant Hormones, Sporulation

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