Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Grain Yield: a Meta-analysis Using Different Sources of Variation

The increase in annual rice (Oryza sativa L.) grain yield is attributed to chemical and inorganic fertilizer utilization. However, these types of fertilizers reduce grain quality in the long term. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can act as biofertilizers and improve crop performance. The present study conducted a meta-analysis on the effects of AMF on rice grain yield using the studies conducted in selected countries in Asia. Ten (10) studies were selected, and 59 experimental results were used. The overall result showed that AMF positively affects the rice grain yield. The AMF experiments on the field and greenhouse showed positive effects, as well as across different environmental conditions, including aerobic and nutrient addition. The multiple-species type of AMF biofertilizer and the single-species type under different genera – namely, Acaulospora and Glomus – also showed a positive effect. The effect of AMF on different rice varieties is also positive, especially on varieties grown in lowland agroecosystems. The findings in this study show that various types of AMF increase the rice grain yield of different rice varieties under various environmental conditions. This supports the application of AMF in rice farming.