Mycorrhizae and plants have a well-established symbiotic relationship, and
play an important role in better plant growth, disease protection, and improving soil
quality. Arbuscular and ectomycorrhizae are the most common of the seven species of
mycorrhizae described in the scientific literature (arbuscular, ecto-, ectendo-, arbutoid-,
monotropoid-, ericoid-, and orchidaceous mycorrhizae). This chapter presents a
summary of current knowledge of mycorrhizal interactions, processes, and potential
benefits to society. The molecular basis for genetic exchange between arbuscular
mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and host crops, the role of AM fungi in disease protection, in
promoting plant growth, in reducing heavy metal load, and in increasing grain
production, and their impact on sustainable agriculture are presented in this chapter.
The impact of AM-fungal incorporation and beneficial saprophytic mycoflora on the
promotion of plant growth and root colonization, the role of AM fungus in restoring
indigenous ecosystems, and the impact of the mycorrhizosphere on multitrophic
interactions have been summarized. The ways in which the mycorrhizae transform the
disturbed ecosystem into productive land are discussed. The importance of restoring
mycorrhizal systems in the rhizosphere is emphasized, and their impact on land
reclamation and environmental remediation of polluted soils is also discussed. The
importance of ectomycorrhiza in forest ecosystems, ectomycorrhizal association in
tropical rain forests and their role in maintaining thermal monodominance, are briefly
explained.
Keywords: Ecosystem, Ectomycorrhiza, Endomycorrhiza, Mycorrhiza, Plant Defense, Production Agriculture.
