A REVIEW: in vitro CULTIVATION OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGUS FOR COMMERCIALISATION.

GHORUI, MAUNATA; CHOWDHARY, SHOUVIK; PRAKASH, BALU; KRISHNAN, KUMAR; DJEARAMANE, SINOUVASSANE; MANJUNATHAN, J.; PREETHIa, N.; ASHOKKUMAR, K.; JAYANTHI, M.

In the last two decades, the market for mycorrhizal inoculants has significantly expanded, with Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) dominating the industry. The demand for AM inoculants, especially in field crop production and horticulture, has outpaced the supply. To bridge this gap, it is crucial to understand various mass-cultivation techniques that can produce a large quantity of sterile AM inoculum economically. AMF is the most widespread type of mycorrhiza, forming a symbiotic relationship with 80-90% of terrestrial plant species. The world's most abundant mutualism involves the bi-directional transfer of nutrients, benefiting both the plants and the soil. The AMF colonises the plant host's cortical cells and aids in nutrient transfer, particularly phosphorus, to the plants. In return, the plant provides carbon to the AM fungus. The obligate nature of AMF presents a challenge for mass cultivation, as it requires plant roots to complete its life cycle. Additionally, producing contaminant-free AMF inoculum in bulk has been a bottleneck for applications in agriculture. Over the years, scientists have developed several techniques for large-scale production of AMF, such as conventional put multiplication, aeroponic cultivation, hydroponic cultivation, bioreactors, Root-organ culture (ROC), etc. However, in vitro techniques have proven to be the most viable for sterile propagation in large quantities and in a shorter time and space.

VESICULAR-arbuscular mycorrhizas; PLANT life cycles; LIFE cycles (Biology); COMMERCIALIZATION; HOST plants; PLANT propagation

Oxidation Communications, 2023, Vol 46, Issue 3, p549

0209-4541

Academic Journal