Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plant resilience in the face of climate change: ecological and physiological mechanisms and sustainable applications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14295/cerrado.v3i3.886Keywords:
Abiotic stres, Climate adaptation, Mycorrhizal symbiosis, Soil sustainability, Ecosystem resilience, Plant–fungus interactionsAbstract
Climate change has intensified environmental stresses such as drought, salinity, nutrient limitations, and extreme temperatures, threatening plant productivity and ecosystem stability worldwide. This systematic review aimed to synthesize current scientific evidence regarding the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in enhancing plant resilience to climate change-related stresses. A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, including studies published between 2001 and 2026, retrieved from major scientific databases. A total of 43 eligible studies were analyzed. The results demonstrated that AMF significantly improve plant tolerance to drought, salinity, and multiple simultaneous stressors through enhanced water and nutrient acquisition, increased photosynthetic efficiency, activation of antioxidant defense systems, osmotic adjustment, hormonal regulation, and modulation of stress-responsive genes. In addition, AMF contribute to soil aggregation, nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and ecosystem stability, supporting sustainable agricultural practices and ecological restoration initiatives. The findings highlight that AMF-mediated resilience results from integrated physiological, biochemical, molecular, and ecological mechanisms operating across multiple biological scales. Therefore, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi represent a promising biological resource for climate adaptation, sustainable land management, and the development of more resilient agricultural and natural ecosystems.
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