Mycorrhizal Fungi as a Source of Metabolites for Agricultural Applications
摘要
Agriculture currently faces two major challenges: feeding a continuously growing population and developing in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. In this context, mycorrhizal fungi (MF) can serve as a promising biotechnological strategy to enhance agricultural productivity while reducing the reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. MF can provide beneficial effects to their host plants by supplying nutrients, improving water absorption and inducing tolerance to abiotic stresses, acting as biostimulants, or functioning as biological control agents (BCAs) against pathogens and pests. One of the mechanisms employed by MF to achieve these activities is the production of secondary metabolites, such as plant hormones and biocidal compounds. This chapter aims to compile, analyze and discuss existing studies on the production by MF of metabolites of agricultural significance, including their role as plant growth promoters, antibacterials, antifungals, oomyceticides, or insecticides.