Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on soil enzyme activity is coupled with increased plant biomass

Abstract Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form a mutualistic association with plant roots by improving phosphorus (P) uptake of the host plant. Previous studies demonstrated that AMF exert various influences on soil enzyme activity; however, quantification of these effects has not been published to date. This study explored the effect of AMF on soil enzyme activity by meta‐analysis of a current dataset. The AMF inoculation increased the activities of most soil enzymes, with the exception of polyphenol oxidase. Across all observations, AMF enhanced soil enzyme activity optimally at smaller soil available P and neutral soil pH conditions. This effect was positively correlated with the increasing ratios of soil available P and plant biomass. The results of this study indicate that AMF can enhance the release of soil nutrients required for plant growth in response to increased soil enzyme activity. The results obtained emphasize that the effect of AMF on soil enzyme activity is strongly abiotic context‐dependent and coupled with beneficial effects for plant growth. This has relevant implications for AMF application for sustainable agriculture. Highlights Meta‐analysis of 56 studies shows that AMF usually increase soil enzyme activity. Neutral pH and low available phosphorus lead to optimal AMF influence on soil enzyme activity. Plant growth promotion by AMF can lead to an increase of soil enzyme activity. AMF inoculation offers positive implications for agricultural application.