Techniques and Strategies for the Conservation of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis between fungi of the phylum Glomeromycota and the roots of terrestrial plants is fundamental for nutrient and water absorption, thereby improving plant nutritional efficiency. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) influence key ecological processes, such as nutrient cycling and carbon stabilization in soil, making them crucial to agricultural sustainability. AMF conservation is carried out using various techniques. One of the most common is the use of trap crops, where host plants that favor efficient fungal colonization are selected. This method allows for maintaining the genetic and functional diversity of AMF, although it faces limitations such as the possibility of contamination or loss of diversity. Additionally, solid substrates such as soil, peat, or compost are used, which allow viable propagules to be preserved without losing their infective capacity. However, these methods can exhibit variability due to environmental factors such as pH and humidity. For long-term conservation, alternatives such as cryopreservation and combining encapsulation with controlled desiccation are being explored. This method has proven effective, though its success depends on the fungus's characteristics. Monoxenic culture with transformed roots has also improved the conservation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), reducing contamination and increasing the reproducibility of propagules. Despite these advances, AMF conservation continues to face challenges. The future of their conservation will likely include hybrid strategies, combining cryopreservation, periodic maintenance, and functional monitoring.