Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi show potential to substantially increase global grain yields

<title>Abstract</title> <p>Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) support plant growth in multiple ways, yet their overall impact on agricultural productivity remains poorly understood. We used crop‑specific yield responses from meta‑analyses and gridded soil, management, and crop production data to estimate the potential yield benefits of AMF inoculation for global maize, wheat, and rice production. Our results suggest that AMF could increase global cereal production by 12.6%, or 341 million metric tons, and highlight the under‑recognized role of soil biological communities in supporting global food production.</p>