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Fungal inoculants[edit]
Several different fungal inoculants (typically referred to as mycorrhizae) have been explored for their benefits to plant nutrition. Fungal inoculation has been observed to benefit plant success and improve soil quality. The most commonly investigated fungi for this purpose are the arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM or AMF). Ectomycorrhizae are often symbiotic with coniferous species. Other endophytic fungi, such as Piriformis indica can also be beneficial.

Fungal partners[edit]
Fungal inoculation alone can benefit host plants. Inoculation paired with other amendments can further improve conditions. Arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation combined with compost is a common household amendment for personal gardens, agriculture, and nurseries. It has been observed that this pairing can also promote microbial functions in soils that have been affected by mining.

Certain fungal partners do best in specific ecotones or with certain crops. Arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation paired with plant growth promoting bacteria resulted in a higher yield and quicker maturation in upland rice paddys.

Maize growth improved after an amendment of arbuscular mycorrhizae and biochar. This amendment can also decrease cadmium uptake by crops.

Effects[edit]
The effects of mycorrhizal inoculation include increased nutrient uptake and seedling establishment. Other effects include increases in salinity tolerance, drought tolerance, and resistance to trace metal toxicity.

Inoculant usage[edit]
Fungal inoculants can be used with or without additional amendments in private gardens, homesteads, agricultural production, native nurseries, and land restoration projects.

Fungal Inoculant
Symbiotic relationships between fungi and plant roots is referred to as a Mycorrhiza association. This symbiotic relationships is present in nearly all land plants and give both the plant and fungi advantages to survival. The plant can give upwards of 5-30% of it's energy production to the fungi in exchange for increasing the root absorptive area with hyphae which gives the plant access to nutrients it would otherwise not be able to attain. The two most common mycorrhizae are arbuscular mycorrhizae and ectomycorrhizae.

Arbuscular Mycorrhiza
Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) has received attention as a potential agriculture amendment for its ability to access and provide the host plant phosphorous. Under a reduced fertilization greenhouse system that was inoculated with a mixture of AM fungi and rhizobacteria, tomato yields that were given from 100% fertility were attained at 70% fertility. This 30% reduction in fertilizer application can aid in the reduction of nutrient pollution, and help prolong finite mineral resources such as phosphorous (Peak Phosphorus). Peak phosphorus

Agricultural wastewater treatment

Nutrient pollution