Upscaling Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbiosis and Related Agroecosystems Services in Smallholder Farming Systems

Figure 2

A smallholder farming system in Mbeere North, Kenya, showing a maize-common bean intercrop, under reduced tillage cultivation, which also incorporates agroforestry. Legume-rhizobia symbiosis fixes nitrogen which enhances growth of both the legume and the cereal crop. Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis is enhanced which promotes nutritional uptake by both crops and also increases fixation by availing . Agroforestry trees most of which are legumes that provide host to the beneficial soil microorganisms especially after farmers harvest the other crops.