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Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are key microorganisms that promote fertility in soils. Why? Because:
- AMF enable soil fertility,
- They promote soil and plant health and therefore,
- They increase crop productivity.
In natural soils there are generalist and specialist groups of AMF. The optimised use of specific mycorrhizae (AMF) in relation to crops and soils improves agricultural sustainability. Therefore, mycorrhizae (AMF) are becoming an indispensable biological tool to improve crop productivity and soil health. Especially in the context of chemical agriculture that undermines the sustainability of food security, human and ecosystem health and safety, alternative agricultural means have become inevitable.
Therefore, mycorrhizae (AMF) have become essential in nature-friendly organic farming. In these agricultural fields, natural biological activity is enhanced to maintain soil fertility. Crops show increased innate immunity against pests and diseases in many of these systems. In addition, ecosystems remain healthy and the soil teems with life.
In the recent review on mycorrhizae (AMF), George & Ray provide a comprehensive critical analysis of the literature on mycorrhizae (AMF) in organic agriculture. They evaluate their efficacy as an ecotechnological tool for sustainable agricultural productivity. The novelty is that it is the first comprehensive review of the literature on mycorrhizae (AMF) in all aspects of organic agriculture. A systematic approach of related articles has been followed. The work reveals the essentiality of using specific local mycorrhizal species, individually or in consortia, in diverse environmental settings to ensure sustainable organic crop production.
However, the authors stress the need for a thorough exploration of their exact use in sustainable organic agriculture. Furthermore, they also advocate intensive experiments to evaluate them individually, in combination and in association with various beneficial soil bacteria.
Clean-Biotec has been working with local arbuscular mycorrhizae applied to horticultural and fruit crops since 2016. We provide an on-demand inoculum preparation service with native mycorrhizal strains (AMF). In this way, farmers can apply them to their crops as soon as they are sown or planted. More information can be found at clean@clean-biotec.com.
As part of the Mycorrhizae Innovation Team, we have been selected to represent Spain in the ARIA awards of the European CAP network in the Environmental Protection category.
George NP and Ray JG (2023) The inevitability of arbuscular mycorrhiza for sustainability in organic agriculture—A critical review. Front. Sustain. Food Syst. 7:1124688. doi:10.3389/fsufs.2023.1124688
