Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi as Potential Drivers of Sustainable Crop Production
A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Crop Production".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 November 2026 | Viewed by 219
Special Issue Editor
2. CE3C—Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Azorean Biodiversity Group, Faculty of Agrarian and Environmental Sciences, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Azores, Rua Capitão João D’Ávila, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira, Azores, Portugal
3. CFE—Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3001-401 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF); AMF biotechnology; sustainable agriculture; habitat restoration; soil bioremediation; soil microbial ecology
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have the potential to act as key drivers of sustainable crop production, but their benefits depend strongly on specific environmental and management conditions. These obligate symbionts can enhance plant growth by improving nutrient uptake and shaping the microbial and chemical dynamics of the mycorrhizosphere, while also contributing to soil structure stability and plant resilience to abiotic and biotic stresses. However, the magnitude of these benefits varies with factors such as soil fertility, crop species, climate, and agricultural practices. Understanding the conditions under which agricultural systems can benefit from AMF is crucial for consolidating their role in sustainable agriculture, particularly in the face of the challenges posed by climate change.
This Special Issue aims to collect cutting‑edge research on the role of AMF in sustainable crop production. It covers ecological and physiological mechanisms underlying AMF–plant interactions, as well as their practical agronomic applications. It seeks to integrate both fundamental and applied approaches that are relevant to major agricultural crops and production systems.
We particularly welcome studies addressing plant–AMF interactions under stress conditions, nutrient‑use efficiency improvements, soil property enhancement, interactions within microbial consortia, innovations in inoculant development, and advances in biotechnology and functional ecology. Original research articles, reviews, meta-analyses, and case studies are all suitable for this Special Issue.
Dr. Catarina Melo
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
- sustainable agriculture
- soil health
- plant–microbe interactions
- nutrient use efficiency
- microbial inoculants
- crop productivity
- functional ecology
- abiotic and biotic stress tolerance
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