Applications and mechanisms of biochar-mycorrhizal synergies in agriculture based on systematic review

Biochar (BC) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have emerged as powerful tools for sustainable agriculture, offering significant benefits for soil health, crop productivity, and ecological resilience. Their combined application has shown synergistic effects; however, key gaps in our understanding remain. This systematic review synthesizes findings from recent studies ( n = 72) published up to 2025 to examine the synergistic effects of biochar and AMF. A comprehensive search across Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed employed database-specific Boolean operators combining keywords such as “biochar,” “mycorrhizal fungi,” “soil health,” and “nutrient cycling.” This review highlights the role of biochar in improving soil structure, nutrient availability, and microbial diversity, thereby providing favourable habitats for mycorrhizal colonization. Approximately 78% of reviewed studies reported yield or nutrient-uptake improvements ranging between 15–35% under combined BC-AMF treatments, particularly under environmental stresses like drought or salinity. Synergistic interactions also promoted microbiome shifts, notably increasing the dominance of Glomus and Rhizophagus, which were associated with biochar porosity and nutrient composition. However, uncertainties remain regarding the long-term sustainability of these effects, and the influence of biochar properties on AMF functionality. To fully realize the potential of BC-AMF synergies, future research must focus on standardizing biochar production, exploring molecular and soil–plant–microbe mechanisms, and conducting long-term studies. Collaboration among stakeholders is essential to ensure the scalability and adoption of these technologies, positioning BC–AMF systems as ecologically sustainable alternatives that can support resilient agricultural production while reducing dependence on conventional chemical inputs.