Concept and Dynamics on Earth Mycobiome AMF Networks and Processes

The total complement of Earth’s prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbial life represents the Earth’s mycobiome. Ocean soil and sea soil also consist of the Earth’s mycobiome. The healthy soil mycobiome is needed for the growth of plants. The average soil of 1 g consists of 40,000 species of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, nematodes, algae, protists, and viruses (RNA viruses). Soil mycobiome is essential in plant growth, healthy development, and sustainable agriculture. The soil mycobiome plays a critical role in nutrient recycling by decomposing organic matter and providing those nutrients to plants. The application of chemical fertilizers causes disturbances in the soil mycobiome. The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (belonging to Glomeomycota) is a symbiont that grows with the association of plants. This improves the fitness of both plants and AMF; this is called mutualism. The AMF can get nutrients to plants unavailable to the plant root system and releases plant growth hormones that help plant growth. AMF develops networks from plants to grow in the rhizosphere. According to studies, the symbiotic relationship between plants and AMF is 460 million years old. The root exudates of plants serve as a nutrient source for AMF. The AMF has a symbiotic relationship with 200,000 plant species. Three hundred forty-two species of AMF were identified in the phylum Glomeromycota. Excessive fertilizer use and climate changes stress plants and reduce productivity. The AMF produces growth hormones, and it makes nutrients to plants, minimizes stress to plants, and makes plants productive by providing tolerance to extreme temperature, drought, heavy metals, salinity, and heat. AMF’s remarkable abilities extend beyond nutrient acquisition. They produce growth hormones, provide stress tolerance, and bolster plant productivity by mitigating the impacts of extreme temperatures, drought, heavy metals, salinity, and heat. This chapter explores the intricate tapestry of Earth’s mycobiome, delving into the enduring partnership between AMF and plants, their complex networks, and their pivotal role in the sustainability of agriculture and the resilience of our planet’s ecosystems.