Agri Kultuur December / Desember 2018 | Page 21

Fungi associate with plant roots, forming a symbiotic relationship. Created with BioRender Biofertilizers The idea of using arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi as “biofertilizers” is not new. Many companies already sell fungal products that boost crop growth and mineral uptake. Biofertilizers can boost plant growth and pest resistance, but this effect often depends on the context. Different species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can provide different benefits, or sometimes no benefit at all. Yet the effects of these biofertilizers on crops are highly variable. And despite the growing market interest, there is little proof they are necessarily beneficial in every situation. Results can vary between crops too. One cultivar might get a significant boost from biofertilizer, whereas another one may not. Differences in soil type, nutrient availability, Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associate with plants by colonising their roots. AgriKultuur |AgriCulture 21