Novel Biotechnological Methods for the Cultivation and Inoculation of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are transitioning toward scalable biostimulants despite various challenges. This chapter redefines AMF production using soil-less, sterile pipelines that initiate with soil-free root organ culture (ROC: transformed roots used for soil-less contaminant-controlled propagation) and advance to low-shear, O₂-enriched bioreactors designed for process regulation and harvesting. In this study, recent advancements in encapsulation and stabilization, specifically alginate beads, film coating, and cryopreservation, are discussed to facilitate dosage precision, moisture regulation, extended shelf life, and traceability master bank systems. A realistic standardized quality framework is proposed that assesses identity and purity, viability, and function through infective propagule (IP) bioassays. The soil free culture was synthesized on the transformed roots in the customized bioreactor that enabled the propagation of propagules under the aseptic conditions. This helps in improving productivity and standardizing quality. We also emphasized the cryopreservation and encapsulation strategies to explain the role of alginate and other biodegradable carriers in maintaining viability. It can ensure the storage and stability of strains for a longer duration.