Identifying and Selecting Indigenous Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi for Field Application

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can form mycorrhizal relationships with a large majority of the plant species on Earth. However, the actual symbiosis can be complex, with the mutual relationships being affected by the mycorrhizal partner(s) involved, the functionalities they bring to the relationship, the available nutrient resources, and the environment. It has been suggested that the use of indigenous AMF may be superior to commercial AMF products in the long term, especially with respect to improved nutrient uptake and their adaptation to local biotic or abiotic stresses. However, such a strategy would require the identification of the AMF involved, the determination of their respective contributions in the face of local biotic and abiotic factors and the subsequent introduction and management of their relationships. This chapter will focus on how the various aspects of traditional, molecular, and next generation AMF identification may be used to help in the field application of AMF, especially when used in conjunction with an understanding of AMF biology. In this context, AMF contributions to nutrient and water uptake in plants are also described.