Prospects for mycorrhization in forestry under climate change

Global climate change poses serious challenges, affecting the condition, productivity, and stability of forest ecosystems. Mycorrhizal symbiosis plays a key role in tree functioning (the hyphal network improves the uptake of water and essential mineral nutrients by colonized roots) particularly under environmental stress. The purpose of this article is to review the current state of knowledge regarding the importance of mycorrhization in forest adaptation to climate change and to evaluate its potential in forestry practice. Under changing climatic conditions, the traditional approach to mycorrhization, based on inoculation with a single fungal species, may prove insufficient. Selecting ectomycorrhizal species with complementary environmental functions for the development of mycorrhizal inoculants appears to be a promising approach. A multi−component inoculum containing the mycelium and/or spores of fungal species with diverse ecological functions could improve planting success, especially on post−agricultural land, and enhance tree resistance to drought, high temperatures, and other stressors.