Synergistic Effects of Biochar and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Soil Fertility and Crop Productivity in the Lowland Area of South-West Nigeria: A Review
O.C. Nwoke
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agricultural Production and Management, College of Agriculture, Ejigbo Campus, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria.
A.A. Adegbala
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agricultural Production and Management, College of Agriculture, Ejigbo Campus, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria and Soil and Plant Nutrition Section, Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, Nigeria.
O.S.O. Akanbi *
Soil and Plant Nutrition Section, Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, Nigeria.
K.A. Shittu
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agricultural Production and Management, College of Agriculture, Ejigbo Campus, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria.
A.M. Olaniyi
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agricultural Production and Management, College of Agriculture, Ejigbo Campus, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Lowland (Fadama) agro-ecosystems in southern Nigeria are constrained by phosphorus (P) deficiency, low organic matter, and seasonal waterlogging, which limit the productivity of crops such as rice, cassava, and fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis). Combining biochar application with inoculation of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) offers a promising solution to these constraints through enhancements in soil structural stability, nutrient-holding capacity, and biologically mediated phosphorus availability. This review synthesizes key literature (2010-2025), including Nigerian field studies and global meta-analyses, to evaluate the mechanisms and evidence supporting Biochar-AMF synergy in lowland systems. Findings indicate that combined applications often outperform single amendments, enhancing P uptake, water-use efficiency, and crop yields-particularly when Biochar is well-characterized and AMF strains are suited to local soils. However, research gaps persist regarding long-term trials, native AMF screening, and standardization of locally derived Biochars. In practice, optimizing Biochar-AMF integration can enhance soil fertility management and promote sustainable crop production in Nigeria’s lowland agro-ecosystems.
Keywords: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, biochar, crop productivity, fungal inoculation, lowlands, soil fertility, South-West Nigeria