Mycorrhizas in South American anthropic environments

Abstract

For a better understanding of natural, degraded areas and agro-ecosystems, the study of surface and deep soil responses to global change is required. To enhance the resilience of soil ecosystems, the examination and use of arbuscular mycorrhizas, was indicated since they are drivers of nutrient cycles participating in some ecosystem services, such as nutrient acquisition by plants. Currently, there is a holistic vision of AMF as multipurpose organisms with complex ecological functions in the soil. This chapter discusses advances on mycorrhizal fungi based on recent research from Southamerican countries. New reports on the occurrence of mycorrhizas in Amazonian dark earth, soils amended with vermicompost and biochar have resulted in a more detailed understanding of the soil biology from South America. Studies on mycorrhizas have developed largely; however, the understanding of mycorrhizas in anthropic environments are still incipient, and its limitations constitute a barrier for the contribution to sustainable cropping and forest systems. Few reports from South America showed that the addition of soil conditioners resulted in increases in plant cover and plant species richness. In this sense, the biochar/mycorrhizas interactions can be prioritized for sequestration of carbon in soils to contribute to climate change mitigation.