Deciphering the Role of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Mitigating the Negative Effects of Abiotic Stresses in Legume Crops

Production of legumes/pulses is hampered by several abiotic stresses such as heat, chilling, heavy metals (HMs), salinity, drought and flooding, worldwide. These stresses, independently or in combination, affect various physiological as well as metabolic processes which have detrimental effects on growth and nitrogen fixing potential of legumes. The symbiotic association of these plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is often perceived as an ecological, environment-friendly and cost-effective technique for improving crop productivity under abiotic stresses. AMF increase the availability of nutrients as well as water to the host which enhances the photosynthetic efficiency of plants, ultimately leading to improved grain yield. The present review summarizes various mechanisms employed by AMF species in alleviating abiotic stresses at physiological, biochemical and molecular levels. The study further throws light on the AMF induced physicochemical changes in soil characteristics, responsible for re-establishment of legumes under stressed environments.