This is the fourth updated and revised edition of a well-received book that emphasises on fungal diversity, plant productivity and sustainability. It contains new chapters written by leading experts in the field. This book is an up-to-date overview of current progress in mycorrhiza and association with plant productivity and environmental sustainability. The result is a must hands-on guide, ideally suited for agri-biotechnology, soil biology, fungal biology including mycorrrhiza and stress management, academia and researchers. The topic of this book is particularly relevant to researchers involved in mycorrhiza, especially to food security and environmental protection. Mycorrhizas are symbioses between fungi and the roots of higher plants. As more than 90% of all known species of plants have the potential to form mycorrhizal associations, the productivity and species composition and the diversity of natural ecosystems are frequently dependent upon the presence and activity of mycorrhizas. The biotechnological application of mycorrhizas is expected to promote the production of food while maintaining ecologically and economically sustainable production systems.

The second edition of Mycorrhiza falls into a time period of excep tionally rapid growth in mycorrhizal research. Therefore the edi tors have been most pleased with the decision of the Springer Verlag to revise the first edition and to incorporate the remarkable advances experienced in the mycorrhizal field. The pace of discovery has been particularly fast at the two poles of biological complexity, the molecular events leading to changes in growth and differentiation, as well as the factors regulating the structure and diversity of natural populations and communities. Therefore the most significant changes introduced in the new edition of this book are found within these topics. Not only were many chapters up dated, but also new chapters have replaced existing ones. The individual decisions have not been easy, since valuable contribu tions had to be sacrificed in favour of new aspects; but the authors hope that a highly topical new edition will be of greatest benefit for a rapidly expanding field of research. We welcome comments and critics from readers. Since it was possible again to find leading scientists as contribu tors, we are confident that this revised second edition will stimulate further progress and contribute to a deeper understanding of advances in the mycorrhizal field. We are grateful to the Springer Verlag, especially Dr. Dieter Czeschlik, for his continued interest and active help. Dr. Maja Hilber-Bodmer and Dr.

An understanding of crop physiology and ecophysiology enables the horticulturist to manipulate a plant’s metabolism towards the production of compounds that are beneficial for human health when that plant is part of the diet or the source of phytopharmaceutical compounds. The first part of the book introduces the concept of Controlled Environment Horticulture as a horticultural production technique used to maximize yields via the optimization of access to growing factors. The second part describes the use of this production technique in order to induce stress responses in the plant via the modulation of these growing factors and, importantly, the way that this manipulation induces defence reactions in the plant resulting in the production of compounds beneficial for human health. The third part provides guidance for the implementation of this knowledge in horticultural production.

This book offers a timely overview and synthesis of biogeographic patterns of plants and fungi and their mycorrhizal associations across geographic scales. Written by leading experts in the field, it provides an updated definition of mycorrhizal types and establishes the best practices of modern biogeographic analyses. Individual chapters address the basic processes and mechanisms driving community ecology, population biology and dispersal in mycorrhizal fungi, which differ greatly from these of prokaryotes, plants and animals. Other chapters review the state-of-the-art knowledge about the distribution, ecology and biogeography of all mycorrhizal types and the most important fungal groups involved in mycorrhizal symbiosis. The book argues that molecular methods have revolutionized our understanding of the ecology and biogeography of mycorrhizal symbiosis and that rapidly evolving high-throughput identification and genomics tools will provide unprecedented information about the structure and functioning of mycorrhizal symbiosis on a global scale. This volume appeals to scientists in the fields of plant and fungal ecology and biogeography.

This book provides two new optimization algorithms to address real optimization problems. Optimization is a fundamental concept in engineering and science, and its applications are needed in many fields. From designing products and systems to developing algorithms and models, optimization plays a critical role in achieving efficient and effective solutions to complex problems. Optimization algorithms inspired by nature have proven effective in solving a wide range of problems, including those in engineering, finance, and machine learning. These algorithms are often used when traditional optimization techniques are impractical due to the size or complexity of the problem. In this book, we are presenting two new optimization algorithms inspired by plant roots and the Mycorrhiza Network. The first algorithm is called the Continuous Mycorrhiza Optimization Algorithm (CMOA), which was proposed based on the model of the Continuous Lotka-Volterra System Equations. The second algorithm is called the Discrete Mycorrhiza Optimization Algorithm (DMOA), which design based on the model of Discrete Lotka-Volterra System Equations. By mastering the proposed algorithms, the readers able to develop innovative solutions that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and improve performance in the corresponding field of work.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are considered enormously important in contemporary agriculture and horticulture due to their important role in nutrient, biotic and abiotic stress management apart from enhancing plant health and soil fertility. AMF is one of the important fungi for soil aggregation, which helps in drought management. Hence this book brings out an exclusive text on AMF for sustainable rice production. It provides comprehensive up-to-date knowledge on AMF in rice cultivation, and for sustainable rice production in different ecologies without damaging the environment. Salient Features: 1. Covers all the aspects of AMF in rice cultivation from diversity to applications 2. Documents AMF diversity based on metagenomic approach in rice ecosystems 3. Explains the importance of AMF in soil aggregation, which helps in drought management 4. Provides new unraveling knowledge about AMF for sustainable rice production in different ecologies without damaging the environment 5. Discusses the AMF role in induction of resistance in rice plants against some pests.

This comprehensive book offers a fascinating exploration of the dynamic relationships that exist between plants and fungi, shedding light on the latest advancements in research and opening a window into the remarkable potential of these partnerships. From mycorrhizal networks that enhance plant nutrient uptake to endophytic fungi that fortify plant defences and produce bioactive secondary metabolites of medicinal importance, this book unravels the multifaceted role that fungi play in shaping the health and resilience of plant ecosystems. Whether you're a seasoned mycologist, a curious botanist, or simply intrigued by the wonders of nature's collaborations, this book provides a captivating journey through the diverse realms of plant-fungi interactions, offering a glimpse into the promising prospects that these partnerships hold for the future exploration and application in areas ranging from sustainable agriculture to drug discovery, ecological restoration and beyond.