POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZA FUNGI IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL CULTIVATION

The Arbuscular Mycorrhiza fungi have a mutualistic relationship with 80% of terrestrial plants. Arbuscular Mycorrhiza fungi are considered as a biofertilizer source because of their positive effects on plant growth andproductivity They can help to reduce the amount of chemical fertilizers by up to 50% due to their ability in enhancing crops to uptake mineral nutrients efficently such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, zinc. . . thereby increasing crop yield. Moreover, this endosymbiotic fungus also shows its potential as a biopesticide due to its ability to biologically antagonize a wide range of fungi, viruses, and nematodes, which cause diseases on plants. Besides, Arbuscular Mycorrhiza fungi also help plants to resist to abiotic streeses such as drought, salinity, and toxicity of heavy metals. The glomalin compound secreted by mycorrhizal fungi has the ability tobind tiny soil particles together to form a stable soil structure and aggregates, helping to improve soil qualitỵ Thus, Arbuscular Mycorrhiza fungi have a high use potential in sustainable agricultural development under the context of climate change such as drought, salinity intrusion.