A review of taxonomic studies of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Iran

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) are one of the most essential beneficial soil microorganisms that can form a mutualistic symbiotic relationship with plants. AMF receive carbon from the host plant to complete their life cycle. In return, these fungi have copious roles for the host plants, including plant protection against pathogens, increasing abiotic stresses tolerance (drought and salinity), and enhancing water and mineral nutrient acquisition. Formerly, AMF was identified and classified merely based on morphological features of fungal spores such as mode of formation, wall structure, and subtending hyphal characteristics. Later on, molecular procedures were incorporated for AMF identification. PCR-based techniques led to the direct identification of AMF species that existed in plant roots or the rhizosphere. Several primers have been developed to increase the accuracy of AMF identification. Nowadays, classification systems of AMF are based on both morphological and molecular techniques. This paper aims to review the researches on the identification of AMF in Iran. Identification of AMF has received increasing interest over the past few decades. Authors have used a combination of morphological characteristics and DNA-based techniques to the identification of AMF. So far, more than 115 AMF species belonging to 22 genera have been identified and reported from different regions and plant communities such as croplands, forests, grasslands, etc. Understanding the community composition and diversity of AMF is vital for using them as biofertilizer in agriculture to reduce chemical inputs and increase sustainable crop production.