Mycorrhized seeds enabled by next generation technology for mass production of AMF

Biologicals are now becoming vital worldwide to improve soil properties that have diminished due to excessive and nonjudicious use of chemicals. Beneficial microbes are being attempted and applied in cropping systems in many parts of the world. One such microorganism known as AMF’s (Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) are known to be most beneficial for 85% plant species on earth. These organisms unlike many others could not be cultivated on semisynthetic media until recently and hence commercial exploitation was not possible. Successful development of a highly efficient continuous process of mass production in year 2000 paved the way for the exploitation of AMFs in agriculture.  Successful farmers field demonstrations subsequently confirmed its efficacy towards higher plant productivity and soil restoration at the same time. However, for effective adoption at a large scale the need was felt for a delivery method that could integrate seamlessly into the normal farmers’ practices. The next generation technology that introduced recently has achieved a new dimension that allows integration of a large number of AMF species in industrial seed coating process. This advancement is a much awaited development for value addition for seed industry eventually benefitting large population of farmers worldwide. Glimpses of end-to-end technology and global multi-location testing and demonstration trials data shall be presented.