Mycorrhizae and grapevines: the known unknowns of their interaction for wine growers' challenges.

Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play an important role in grapevine production systems. However, little is known about how this relationship is achieved in the nursery and how soil management might modify it and its derived benefits. Here, we review the current knowledge on the establishment of grapevine-AMF relationships from the nursery to the field, the main factors that affect the effectiveness of the symbiosis, the potential role of AMF as biostimulants in grapevine production systems, and the future perspectives of their use in the current context of climate change. The process of establishing mycorrhizal symbiosis is complex, and the molecular dialogue between the plant roots and the fungus is still not yet fully understood. During vine plant production, rooting occurs in nurseries, where spontaneous symbiosis can be generated. The effectiveness of mycorrhizal symbiosis appears to depend not only on the identity of the fungus but also on the diversity of the vine material and soil management. Finally, the use of AMF as biostimulants might be an effective strategy with which to face the new climatic scenario, but further research dealing with the application of AMF inocula and the protection of native cohorts should be conducted.