Role of Mycorrhiza in Nutrient Acquisition and Promoting Plant Growth in Sustainable Agriculture: A Review

Abstract

Mycorrhiza constitutes an advanced symbiotic association between the plant root systems and fungal partner, playing a pivotal role in regulating nutrient dynamics, rhizosphere processes and crop productivity within agroecosystems. This review presents a comprehensive and critical analysis of the agricultural implications of mycorrhiza, viewed in light of the latest research focused on arbuscular mycorrhiza. Available evidence indicates that mycorrhiza significantly enhances nutrient use efficiency particularly with regard to phosphorus uptake-by activating highly efficient nutrient acquisition mechanisms. The extensive network of fungal hyphae effectively expands the root zone, strengthening soil-water-plant interactions and leading to a qualitative improvement in the plants’ water uptake capacity, as well as their tolerance to drought, salinity and thermal stresses. In the future, the integration of mycorrhiza with omics-based approaches and precision agriculture techniques presents significant potential for the development of site-specific, high-performance strains. However, for its widespread application in agriculture, scientific solutions addressing its ecological adaptability, strain specificity and management-related complexities are required. Altogether, it suggests mycorrhiza as a highly promising biological tool for enhancing agricultural sustainability, resource efficiency and ecological resilience.