Mycorrhizal fungi in agriculture: Ecology, evidence, and practice

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi form symbiotic relationships with most terrestrial plants, influencing nutrient cycling, plant health, and soil function. This workshop begins with an accessible overview of AM fungal biology and ecology, highlighting how these subterranean networks facilitate nutrient uptake, improve soil structure, and even contribute to plant defence. Yet despite their importance, the ways in which we assess and manage AM fungi in production systems remain blunt and often poorly aligned with ecological reality. We will examine practical strategies for promoting AM fungi, through rotation choices, fertiliser regimes, and tillage practices, while also confronting important questions about when and where management interventions are unlikely to yield meaningful benefit. We will look at current and emerging approaches for evaluating AM fungi in the field. From traditional colonisation metrics to molecular tools for assessing fungal diversity, we will consider what these indicators can and cannot tell us, and how they might…