Status of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Research in Pakistan: A Comprehensive Review of Diversity, Distribution, and Agricultural Applications

Abstract

Background: Around 80% of land vascular plants are obligate symbiotic to Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF). They are very important to the acquisition of nutrients and the functioning of ecosystems. The role of AMF in stress tolerance is also important. Methods: Between 1976 and 2020, mycorrhizal studies (80) conducted in Pakistan were reviewed. Studies from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province were reviewed in detail (30 studies). Various plants were the focus of these studies, including those used for medicine, for agriculture, ornamental plants and even plants like bryophytes and pteridophytes. The studies have been compiled and reviewed for AMF and the plant-AMF symbiosis for the different studies. Results: The results reveal Glomus was the most common AMF genus in Pakistan. There were Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) infection rate results of 0-100%, and most of the plants surveyed had a high degree of infection, greater than or equal to 95%. AMF inoculated plants had a significantly higher uptake of nutrients and had a higher productivity rate in soils that were deficient in phosphorus. Conclusion: The findings show that AMF that are found in nature have the potential to act as biofertilizers for agriculture in Pakistan and advocate for the veracity of further field tests. There is also a need for the molecular characterization of the native AMF.