Impact of Environmental Gases on Mycorrhizal Symbiosis and Its Influence on Ecosystem Functioning Under the Current Climate Change Scenario

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are of paramount importance that develop a good mutual relationship with higher plants. The impact of different environmental gases on AM symbiosis has not been studied extensively. The available data suggest that elevated CO2 increases the biomass and productivity of plants. However, the effect of CO2 on mycorrhizal symbiosis is still a matter of debate. The impact of CO2 on the development of mycorrhiza and spore production is a very interesting aspect to be unravelled. Assessment of the effect of SO2 and O3 is also not much congenial to the growth and development of mycorrhizal fungi. These gases cause enormous negative impacts on the plant’s biomass and productivity, as well as mycorrhizal network. In general, the effects of these gases are influential to biomass production and mycorrhizal spore formation and thus need further attention from the researchers.