Review on the Mechanisms of Mycorrhizal Fungal Residues in Improving Soil Aggregate Structure and Their Effects on Crop Growth

Abstract

Mycorrhizal fungi play a crucial role in promoting soil aggregate formation and stability. This paper reviews the regulatory mechanisms of mycorrhizal fungi and their live fungal residues on soil aggregate structure and their effects on crop growth. Mycorrhizal fungi enhance soil particle cohesion and improve soil structure through three primary mechanisms: physical entanglement, secretion of cementing substances, and microbial community regulation. These processes simultaneously promote nutrient absorption, enhance crop stress resistance, and reduce disease risks. Additionally, live fungal residues serve as organic soil amendments with promising applications in improving soil organic matter content and microbial activity. However, their application still faces challenges such as fungal species specificity, environmental dependency, and lack of standardized technology. Future research should integrate multi-omics approaches to elucidate mycorrhizal fungi-microbe-plant interactions and develop more adaptable fungal residue-based composite materials to promote the application of mycorrhizal technology in sustainable agriculture.