1. 12/09/2018
From production to application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in agricultural systems: a multidisciplinary approach
Jacqueline Baar

2. Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach
12/09/2018
Mycorrhizal fungi
Beneficial soil organisms in symbiosis with plants enhancing nutrient and water uptake from soil
Ectomycorrhizal fungi
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

3. Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach
Ectomycorrhizal fungi
Basidiomycetous fungi:
Cantharellus cibarius
Boletus edulis
Agaricus muscaria
Symbionts at trees:
Pinaceae
Betulaceae
Fagaceae
Salicacea

4. Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
Special structures in plant roots
Only visible with special techniques
Fruitbodies below ground
Symbionts at the majority of herbs, grasses, crops, except for:
Brassicaceae
Resedeceae
Examples are:
Glomus sp.
Acaulaspora sp.

5. Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach
Functions attributed to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi:
Enhanced uptake of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous) and water
Increased resistance against pathogens above and below ground
Improvement of soil structure
Increased resistance against heavy metals

6. Demonstration experiment in Flevopolders (Netherlands) in 2005
-AMF AMF
Durito shoot length - AMF 22 cm AMF 27 cm
Jumbo shoot length - AMF 24 cm + AMF 30 cm

7. Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach
Future perspectives:
Application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can greatly be enhanced in the
next decades
Increase of sustainable land management
Reduction of chemical fertilizers
Reduced use of chemical pesticides

8. Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach
Knowlegde about diversity and abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in European agricultural and natural systems is limited
Functionality of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi under different regional conditions has received little study
More knowledge necessary to describe development of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in agricultural systems in Europe

9. Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach
More knowledge for application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi is needed
system-analysis approach
description of mycorrhizal fungi at different crops:
agricultural systems
horticultural systems
focus on regional variation in soils and host plants
breeding of host plants to enhance responsiveness to mycorrhizal fungi

10. Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach
Knowledge about arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in agricultural systems throughout Europe will allow us application of mycorrhizal fungi

11. Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach
Application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in Europe:
agricultural systems
open fields
organic and conventional management
horticultural systems
greenhouses

12. Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach
Addition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to:
crops
plant species
roots
seeds
soils, e.g. potting soils
fields

13. Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach
Techniques are available or under further development:
to determine the diversity and abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
to describe the situations before application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
to study the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
functionality

14. Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach
Staining techniques:
to determine amount of colonization
Molecular techniques (PCR, Taqman, sequencing, DGGE):
to determine colonization
to describe diversity
to quantify abundance

15. Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach
Application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
different inocula available commercially
further development of mycorrhizal inoculum is needed for specific soil conditions in temperate and mediterranean zones
quality standard of mycorrhizal inoculum has to be developed
breeding of plants for enhanced responsiveness and colonization of mycorrhizal fungi

16. Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach
Cooperation:
companies and research institutions
between research institutions
with national governments

17. Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach
COST- Action can contribute:
To increase practical implementation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in agricultural systems
To stimulate cooperation between scientists, SME’s, quality mark organizations and advisers

18. Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach
Focus COST-Action
Bringing together diverse scientific areas
Plant breeding
(Low input) arable farming
Applied mycorrhizal research
Synergism by combining plant breeding
and mycorrhizal research
Development of crops with enhanced responsiveness to mycorrhizal fungi
Leading to enhanced application of mycorrhizal fungi
Increased sustainability of agriculture

19. Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach
Focus COST-Action
Chain approach
Inoculum producers
Suppliers of mycorrhizal fungi
Users of mycorrhizal fungi
(e.g. growers, potting soil companies)
Advisers
Quality mark organizations
Scientists

20. Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach
Objectives of COST-Action addressed in four Working Groups:
To increase application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in agricultural systems
To identify plant genes controlling responisiveness to mycorrhizal fungi (WG1)
Focus on crops of economic value

21. Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach
Objectives of COST-Action addressed in four Working Groups:
To develop an independent quality control system for mycorrhizal fungal inoculum (WG2)
To develop mycorrhizal fungal inoculum with specificty for specific crops under different soil conditions and fertilisation regimes (WG 3 and WG 4)
Low-high input systems in temperate zones
Mediterrenean conditions

22. Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach
Benefits of COST-Action
Integration of different scientific disciplines to deliver increased implementation of mycorrhizal fungi
Breeding programs for crops to develop enhanced responsiveness to mycorrhizal fungi
Improvement of mycorrhizal inoculum:
Increased specificity
Quality control

23. Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach
Benefits of COST-Action
Cooperation and communication between scientists, companies and advisers
Contribution to sustainable agricultural systems with reduced input of chemical fertilizers and pesticides

24. Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach
12/09/2018
Challenges for the future…
looking into the black box of soil?
Or…
Bringing together different fields from plant perspective, soil chemistry, applied mycorrhizal technology in cooperation with companies  puzzle?

25. Mycorrhizal fungi: multidisciplinary approach
12/09/2018
COST Action will contribute to application of mycorrhizal fungi resulting in increased sustainability in agricultural systems and development of healthy food products
Thank you for your attention