Environmental response of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi under soybean cultivation at a regional scale.

Climate change, the shortage of fertilizers and reduced land for cultivation have drawn attention to the potential aid provided by soil-borne organisms. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) offer a wide range of ecosystem benefits and hence, understanding the mechanisms that control AMF occurrence and maintenance is essential for resilient crop production. We conducted a survey of 123 soybean fields located across a 75,000-km area of Argentina to explore AMF community composition and to quantify the impact of soil, climate, and geographical distance on these key soil organisms.