Recent Advances in Plant: Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Associations and Their Application to Cassava Crops

Abstract

According to estimates, the world’s population is growing at 0.96% yearly, meaning that there will be approximately 7.3 billion people on earth by the year 2050. Consequently, the agricultural sector is demanded to boost production and provide food security for the rising world’s population. Unfortunately, almost 40% of the arable land has been damaged by several factors, such as industrialization, suburbanization, acidification, salinization, and erosion of the soil, environmental pollution, among others, resulting in a global agricultural and economical problem. However, several land recovery techniques have been developed over many years of research, such as the use of chemicals, cultural techniques, and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF). AMF forms a vital connection with the host plants and the soil nutrients and assists in the restoration of damaged agricultural lands. This reviews’ objective includes (i) providing a brief overview of AMF; (ii) highlighting AMF’s role in nutrient management; (iii) reviewing the roles of AMF in the regulation of plant (cassava) development; (iv) explaining the role of AMF in managing abiotic and biotic stressors; (vi) emphasizing the role of AMF in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and (vi) highlighting significant areas within the study of AMF-cassava that has not yet been completely explored.