ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAE: A DIVERSE PERSONALITY

Arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) are benefi cial symbionts for plant growth. They are associated with higher plants by a symbiotic association, and benefi t plants in uptake of phosphorus nutrients, production of growth hormones, increase of proteins, lipids and sugars levels, helps in heavy metal binding, salinity tolerance, disease resistance, and even in the uptake of radionuclides. Mycorrhizal genes also applicable in improvement of crop plants, due to their delivery in to plants, by a process called, particle bombardment. The comibined association of mycorrhizal fungi and Rhizobium, with legume plants, as a symbiotic association, increased the beneficial aspects comparatively more than their single associations with the host plants. This review focuses on all beneficial aspects of AM fungi, regarding plant growth.