Economic Analysis of Mycorrhizal Applications and Their Potential for Enhancing Farm Profitability and Livelihoods
摘要
The incorporation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in agricultural practices presents a promising approach for improving agricultural profitability and sustainability. AMF plays a crucial role in improving nutrient uptake, water absorption, and plant resistance to different abiotic and biotic stresses. This chapter provides an economic analysis of AMF applications, emphasizing their potential to reduce input costs, enhance crop yield having better quality, and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices. The adoption of AMF in agriculture significantly enhances soil health, reduces dependency on synthetic fertilizers, and also mitigates environmental degradation. AMF inoculation has been shown to improve major mineral uptakes like phosphorus and nitrogen, which led to increased crop productivity by reducing nutrient runoff. Case studies from several agricultural settings validate the practical benefits of AMF, unveiling increased yield in crops such as maize, wheat, citrus fruits, and legumes. Besides, the application of AMF contributes to climate resilience by enhancing the sequestration of carbon, reducing the emission of greenhouse gases, and restoring degraded soils. However, some challenges like high costs, market availability, and lack of awareness among farmers hamper widespread adoption of the use of AMF. Farmer education, research investments, and policy support are obligatory to facilitate the integration and use of AMF into typical agricultural practices. This chapter emphasizes the potential of mycorrhizal technology as a keystone for sustainable and economically viable agriculture.