Fungal Bio-stimulants: Cutting-Edge Bioinoculants for Sustainable Agriculture

A more sustainable and agriculturally productive system is becoming increasingly necessary to maintain soil fertility and reduce the loss of biodiversity. Microbial bio-stimulants are cutting-edge technologies that can guarantee a high nutritional value in agricultural yield while overcoming the negative effects of environmental changes. This chapter presents an overview of fungal plant bio-stimulants and of their use in agriculture. Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and Trichoderma are the two most important fungi that act as bio-stimulants in agriculture. Because of the ability of AMFs to function as bio-fertilizers, bio-protectors, or bio-degraders, these connections may affect plant productivity. Mycorrhizal fungi affect the diversity and quality of rhizosphere microflora, which changes the microbial activity in the rhizosphere as a whole. The benefits of synergistic interactions between AMF and other rhizosphere microorganisms, including rhizobia, non-symbiotic diazotrophs, phytohormone producers, and phosphate solubilizers, are widely acknowledged. The function of AMF in protecting plants from phytopathogenic bacteria and fungi is important. Despite these advantages, interactions between AMF and rhizosphere microflora in agriculture, horticulture, and forestry remain underutilized, partly because of the limitations imposed by their obligate biotrophic conditions and the absence of suitable technology for large-scale production. Nevertheless, further research is necessary, because the use of AMF-rhizosphere microflora combinations appears to be a potential method for promoting plant development against diseases and other environmental challenges.