Belowground Biodiversity: AM Fungi Research Trends in Maharashtra
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32439/ps.v8i3.42-46Keywords:
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Soil biodiversity, Crop productivity, Nutrient uptake, Agroecological zones, Soil fertility, Sustainable agricultureAbstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are ubiquitous soil microorganisms that form symbiotic associations with most terrestrial plants, playing a crucial role in nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, and soil health. Maharashtra, with its diverse agroecological zones and soil types, provides a unique opportunity to study the diversity, distribution, and functional roles of AM fungi. This review synthesizes research on AM fungi in Maharashtra, focusing on their ecological significance, biotechnological applications, and future research directions. Surveys across the state have identified over 40 AM fungal species, with genera such as Glomus, Acaulospora, and Gigaspora being predominant. These fungi have been isolated from a wide range of crops and native tree species. Field inoculation studies demonstrate the efficacy of AM fungi in improving crop yield (10–40%), enhancing nutrient uptake, and mitigating biotic and abiotic stresses. Integration of AM fungi with other biofertilizers, such as Rhizobium and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, has shown synergistic effects on crop productivity and soil fertility. Despite the promising results, AM fungi research in Maharashtra faces challenges, including methodological limitations, short-term studies, and geographical gaps. Future research should focus on molecular and metagenomic approaches, climate change interactions, indigenous knowledge integration, and policy support for widespread adoption. By harnessing the potential of AM fungi, Maharashtra can develop sustainable and resilient agroecosystems that address pressing agricultural and environmental challenges.
References
Bardgett, R. D., & van der Putten, W. H. (2014). Belowground biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Nature, 515(7528), 505–511. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nature13855
Bender, S. F., Wagg, C., & van der Heijden, M. G. A. (2016). An underground revolution: Biodiversity and soil ecological engineering for agricultural sustainability. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 31(6), 440–452. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2016.02.016
Deshmukh, A. M., Jite, P. K., & Pawar, N. B. (2012). Diversity and distribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi from Maharashtra. Mycosphere, 3(4), 518–525.
Jite, P. K., Deshmukh, A. M., & Pawar, N. B. (2011). Influence of soil pH and organic matter on AM fungal colonization in Marathwada. Bioinfolet, 8(3), 224–227.
Kamble, D. S., Kale, A. S., & Gawade, R. P. (2018). Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi from coastal soils of Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri. Marine Soil Biology, 9(2), 71–80.
Kulkarni, A. P., & Deshmukh, V. S. (2017). AM fungi associated with agricultural crops in the Nashik region. Indian Journal of Soil Biology, 35(1), 44–50.
Kumar, S., Patil, R. S., & Shinde, S. (2020). Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in sustainable agriculture. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 9(8), 2545–2554. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2017.609.313
Kumbhar, C. T., Patil, R. S., & Mali, A. R. (2018). Mycorrhizal inoculation effects on crop yield in semi-arid Maharashtra. Journal of Eco-friendly Agriculture, 13(2), 76–80.
Miransari, M. (2010). Contribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis to plant growth under different types of soil stress. Plant Biology, 12(4), 563–569. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1438-8677.2009.00308.x
More, A. B., & Pawar, V. R. (2020). Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal associations in Satara soils. Soil Ecology Letters, 7(3), 201–208.
Naqvi, T. (2019). Diversity and colonization frequency of AM fungi in Amravati district. International Journal of Fungal Biology, 4(2), 118–124.
Öpik, M., Vanatoa, A., Vanatoa, E., Moora, M., Davison, J., Kalwij, J. M., Reier, Ü., & Zobel, M. (2010). The online database MaarjAM reveals global and ecosystemic distribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. New Phytologist, 188(1), 223–241. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2010.03334.x
P. P. Sarwade, M. G. Ambuse, J. N. Rajkonda and U. N. Bhale (2011). Growth effect of Capsicum annum var. Jwala plants inoculated with Glomus fasciculentum and Trichoderma species. International Multidisciplinary Research Journal Vol.1 (12) Pp. 13-16.
P.P.Sarwade, J.N.Rajkonda, P.M.Wagh and U.N.Bhale (2010). Association of AM Fungi in four medicinal plants of Maharashtra, India. Biocience discovery, Vol.1 (1):40-43.
P.P.Sarwade, V.S.Sawant and U.N.Bhale (2011). Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in some common plants of Marathwada region. International Multidisciplinary Research Journal Vol.1 (12) Pp. 11-12.
Parniske, M. (2008). Arbuscular mycorrhiza: The mother of plant root endosymbioses. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 6(10), 763–775. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro1987
Patil, R. S., Jadhav, S. S., & Shinde, S. D. (2015). Effect of AM fungi on tomato and grape yield under integrated nutrient management. Green Farming, 6(3), 630–633.
Patil, S. V., Pawar, A. R., & Jadhav, S. R. (2018). Diversity of AM fungi in Pune district. Journal of Mycorrhizal Research, 25(2), 101–108.
Pozo, M. J., & Azcón-Aguilar, C. (2007). Unraveling mycorrhiza-induced resistance. Current Opinion in Plant Biology, 10(4), 393–398. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbi.2007.05.004
Prakash .P.Sarwade, R. U. Shaikh, S.S Chandanshive and U.N.Bhale (2012). Association of AM Fungi in important Pteridophytic plants of Maharashtra, India. International Multidisciplinary Research Journal, 2(4):08-09.
Prakash P Sarwade, Kavita N Gaisamudre, U N Bhale (2012). Occurrence of AM fungi in Xanthium strumarium L.plants of Osmanabad District. Journal of Experimental Sciences, 3(5): 16-18.
Prakash Pralhad Sarwade, Kavita Narayan Gaisamudre (Sarwade) and Rajesh S. Gaikwad (2024) Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Associations with Ricinus communis L. in Dharashiv District. Plantae Scientia. 7(6) 57-60. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32439/ps.v7i6.62-65
Prakash.P.Sarwade, M. B. Kanade, M. G. Ambuse and U.N.Bhale (2012). Association of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in some angiospermic plants of Maharashtra, India. International Multidisciplinary Research Journal, 2(4):18-19.
Rillig, M. C. (2004). Arbuscular mycorrhizae, glomalin, and soil aggregation. Canadian Journal of Soil Science, 84(4), 355–363. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4141/S04-003
Sandhya. S. Gaikwad, S.P. Gaikwad, K.N., Gaisamudre and P.P. Sarwade (2013). Seasonal changes of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in Euphorbiaceae plants from Ramling, Balaghat plateau of Maharashtra, India. Science Park Research Journal Vol-1, Issue-18:1-4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.9780/23218045/1182013/43
Shinde, S. P., Patankar, M. A., & Kharche, V. R. (2016). AMF colonization patterns in Ahmednagar. Mycorrhiza Science Journal, 12(1), 32–39.
Singh, R. K., Chavan, V. H., & Bhosale, P. M. (2019). Role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the soils of Aurangabad. Journal of Agricultural Science, 29(4), 215–220.
Smith, S. E., & Read, D. J. (2008). Mycorrhizal Symbiosis (3rd ed.). Academic Press.
U. N. Bhale, V. S. Sawant and P. P. Sarwade (2011). Arbuscular mycorrhizas of some plants growing in Marathwada region of Maharashtra. Kavak, 39; 33-36.
Van der Heijden, M. G. A., Klironomos, J. N., Ursic, M., Moutoglis, P., Streitwolf-Engel, R., Boller, T., Wiemken, A., & Sanders, I. R. (1998). Mycorrhizal fungal diversity determines plant biodiversity, ecosystem variability, and productivity. Nature, 396(6706), 69–72. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/23932
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Prakash Sarwade, Kavita Narayan Gaisamudre (Sarwade), Damaji Shankar Bhise, Rajesh Shrirangrao Gaikwad
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
1.gif)
Ownership of Copyright Copyright License
View this website and the material on this website on a computer or mobile device via a web browser. You can copy and store this website and the material on this website in your web browser cache memory. You can print pages from this website for your use. All articles published by Plantae Scientia are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. This permits anyone to copy, redistribute, remix, transmit and adapt the work provided the original work and source is appropriately cited. You suppose not to adapt, edit, change, transform, publish, republish, distribute, redistribute, broadcast, rebroadcast or show or play in public this website or the material on this website (in any form or media) without appropriately and conspicuously citing the original work and source or Chief Editor, Plantae Scientia prior written permission. Infringement If Plantae Scientia discovers that anyone have used its copyright materials, may go for legal proceedings against whomsoever concern, seeking monetary damages. You could also be ordered to pay legal costs. All the disputes will be solicited at Omerga Dist. Osmanabd jurisdiction. Permissions You may request permission to use the copyright materials on this website by writing to chiefeditor@plantaescientia.com
.gif)
This work is licensed under 