Mycorrhizal associations between a fungus and a plant root are widespread in the natural environment. From an agricultural point of view, they help improve nutrition that enhances growth and fitness of the plant and improves resistance to soil-borne pests and diseases.

There are several different types but the arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) is the most common.

This review, written in 2003 by Dr A Hodge (University of York), Dr P Gosling (HDRA - now Garden Organic), Dr G Goodlass (ADAS) and Dr G Bending (HRI), covers the following areas in the study of AMF:

Diversity
AM propagules, fungal culture and the common mycelial network (CMN)
Taxonomy and phylogeny of AM fungi (AMF)
Anatomy of AM mycorrhizas
Measurement and identification of AMs
AM root colonisation assessment
AM external hyphal length assessment and problems
Identification of AMF by molecular techniques
AMF in agriculture
Nutrition
Control of disease and pests
Water Relations
Soil Structure
Impact of agriculture on AMF
Fertilisers
Biocides
Tillage
Rotations
Organic amendments
Mycorrhiza in organic agriculture
Manipulation of AMF in Agriculture
Direct inoculation or native AMF?
Commercial availability
Biotechnology
Literature review on AMF for DEFRA.pdf
Configure

Literature review on AMF for DEFRA.pdf

Arbuscular fungi in organic systems

These are the findings from research on organic management of tilled agricultural soils.

Organic management of tilled agricultural soils results in a rapid increase in colonisation potential and spore populations of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. This important report, by Paul Gosling, Ayako Ozakib, Julie Jonesa, Mary Turnera, Francis Rayns, Gary D. Bending, was funded and published by DEFRA in 2010.

Using soil samples from 12 different locations in England (one each from conventionally farmed land, and one from nearby organic land), the report highlights the greater presence of mycorrhizal fungi in organic as opposed to non-organic agricultural land.

Arbuscular fungi in organic systems.pdf