improved nutrient uptake

Roles of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in plant growth and disease management for sustainable agriculture

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Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are beneficial fungi that live in plant roots and form a mutually beneficial relationship with plants. These fungi help plants absorb more nutrients and water from the soil, strengthen their natural defenses against diseases and pests, and work together with other helpful soil bacteria to create disease-suppressive soil. This makes AMF a promising natural alternative to chemical pesticides and fertilizers for sustainable agriculture.

Ericoid mycorrhizal growth response is influenced by host plant phylogeny

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Scientists studied how different types of ericoid mycorrhizal fungi affect the growth of nine different plants related to heather and blueberries. They found that the benefits a plant gets from a fungal partner depend on which specific plant and fungus are paired together, and that a plant’s evolutionary family history can predict how well it will respond to different fungi. These findings could help conservation efforts restore damaged heathlands and wetlands by choosing the right fungal partners for each plant species.

Phosphorus-solubilizing fungi improve growth and P nutrition in sorghum at variable salinity levels

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Researchers discovered five types of salt-tolerant fungi that help plants absorb phosphorus even in salty soils. When these fungi were applied to sorghum plants grown in salt-affected soils, the plants grew better and absorbed more phosphorus. The most effective fungus, Penicillium oxalicum, worked by releasing organic acids and other compounds that made phosphorus more available to plants. This discovery offers a promising natural alternative to chemical fertilizers for farming in salt-affected regions.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi-Assisted Phytoremediation: A Promising Strategy for Cadmium-Contaminated Soils

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Cadmium contamination in farm soils poses serious threats to food safety and human health. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are beneficial fungi that form partnerships with plant roots and can significantly reduce the amount of cadmium that plants absorb from contaminated soil. These fungi work through multiple mechanisms including physically trapping cadmium in soil, improving plant nutrition and stress resilience, and enhancing the plant’s natural detoxification systems. This natural approach offers a sustainable and cost-effective strategy for cleaning up contaminated agricultural land.

Halotolerant Endophytic Fungi: Diversity, Host Plants, and Mechanisms in Plant Salt–Alkali Stress Alleviation

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Over 1 billion hectares of farmland worldwide suffer from salt damage, drastically reducing crop yields. Special fungi called halotolerant endophytic fungi live inside plant tissues and help plants survive salty, alkaline soil conditions without harming them. These fungi work by balancing salt ions in plants, boosting their natural antioxidant defenses, and producing helpful compounds. Research shows they can increase crop yields by 15-40% in salt-affected fields, offering a natural and sustainable solution to one of agriculture’s biggest challenges.

Leucocalocybe mongolica inoculation enhances rice growth by reallocating resources from flavonoid defense to development via MYB/bHLH/WRKY networks

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A fungal strain called Leucocalocybe mongolica (LY9) can help rice plants grow bigger and healthier by improving how they use nutrients and sunlight. Interestingly, when plants grow better with this fungus, they produce fewer defensive compounds called flavonoids, but they still maintain some protective molecules. This research shows that the fungus helps plants decide to invest more energy in growth rather than defense, making it a promising natural fertilizer for farming.

Plant–Fungi Mutualism, Alternative Splicing, and Defense Responses: Balancing Symbiosis and Immunity

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Fungi and plants form partnerships that help plants grow better and resist stress, with fungi receiving sugars from plants in return for nutrients from the soil. This review explains how a cellular process called alternative splicing acts like a molecular switch that lets plants accept beneficial fungi while keeping the ability to fight off harmful pathogens. Understanding this balance could help farmers grow healthier crops with less chemical pesticides and fertilizers.

Halotolerant Endophytic Fungi: Diversity, Host Plants, and Mechanisms in Plant Salt–Alkali Stress Alleviation

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Over 1.3 billion hectares of farmland worldwide suffer from excess salt and alkalinity, drastically reducing crop yields. Special fungi that live inside plant tissues can help crops survive in these harsh conditions without harming them. These fungi work by helping plants manage salt accumulation, boost their natural defenses, and produce protective compounds. While laboratory tests show promising results with yield increases up to 40%, practical field application remains challenging due to environmental variables.

Strategies for Enhancing Resilience in Horticultural Crops Against Combined Abiotic Stresses

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As climate change brings more extreme weather, vegetable and fruit crops face multiple environmental challenges simultaneously, like drought, high salt content, and heat. Scientists have developed practical approaches to make these crops stronger, including breeding tougher varieties, grafting plants onto hardy rootstocks, and applying special nanoparticles and natural plant boosters. These combined strategies help crops survive harsh conditions while maintaining good yields and quality, supporting food security for growing populations worldwide.

therapeutic action: improved nutrient uptake