Mycorrhizal Technology in Agriculture, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2002
From Genes to Bioproducts

Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (AM) is the most common mycorrhizal type involved in agricultural systems, and the most widespread plant root symbiosis. The fungi involved (Glomales) are known to promote plant growth and health by acting as biofertilizers, bioprotectors and bioregulators. The main aim of this book is to provide readers with theoretical and applied knowledge essential for the use of AM fungi in improving plant health and fitness, production of high quality food and in conservation of natural resources. The different chapters target understanding the role of AM fungi in sustainable crop production, discussing ways to improve biological equilibria between microorganisms in the mycorrhizosphere, analysing genetic, physiological, cellular and molecular bases of AM functioning and establishing technologies for inoculum production, according to the regulatory guidelines for application.

The rhizosphere of mycorrhizal plants.- Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and soil bacteria: from cellular investigations to biotechnological perspectives.- Bases of the obligate biotrophy of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.- Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal mycelium: from germlings to hyphal networks.- Biolistic transformation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: advances and applications.- Arbuscular mycorrhizal modifications to plant root systems: scale, mechanisms and consequences.- Plant genes involved in arbuscular mycorrhiza formation and functioning.- Plant defense responses induced by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.- Arbuscular mycorrhiza induced ATPases and membrane nutrient transport mechanisms.- Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi nitrate assimilation: Genes and ecophysiological aspects.- An ecological point of view on arbuscular mycorrhiza research.- Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, an essential component of soil microflora in ecosystem restoration.- Application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the revegetation of desertified Mediterranean ecosystems.- Potential of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for bioremediation.- The contribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to the control of soil-borne plant pathogens.- Mycorrhization as a stress adaptation procedure.- Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in low input agriculture.- Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and micropropagation of high value crops.- Ecological considerations for successful application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculum.- Selecting arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for field application.- Directed inoculum production — shall we be able to design populations of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to achieve predictable symbiotic effectiveness?.- Quality control of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculum in Europe.