Mary Cole
University of Melbourne/Agpath Pty Ltd, Australia
Abstract Title:
The Role of Mycorrhizal Fungi in Climate Change Mitigation in Agricultural Systems.Biography:
Dr. Mary Cole is an environmental microbiologist dedicated to developing science-based solutions for environmental sustainability. Drawing on extensive industry and research experience, she has advanced innovative approaches to improving soil health, restoring degraded landscapes, and strengthening ecosystem resilience through the beneficial use of microorganisms. Her contributions have been recognised with the 2025 AgriFutures Victorian Rural Women's Award. Dr. Cole is passionate about translating microbiological research into practical environmental solutions that benefit agriculture, communities, and future generations.
Research Interests:
Mycorrhizal fungi play a critical role in soil and plant health across all soil systems. These fungi sequester an estimated 20% of plant-fixed carbon into the soil, expand the volume of soil from which plants can draw nutrients, act as a root-associated reservoir for water retention, and exchange soil nutrients for plant-derived photosynthates. Glomalin, an exoprotein produced by mycorrhizal fungi, forms stable soil organic matter that helps regulate global carbon fluxes. Conventional agricultural practices that rely on ploughing and tilling disrupt mycorrhizal networks, undermining the moisture retention, carbon capture, and topsoil stability these fungi provide. In contrast, regenerative approaches - such as pasture cropping - minimize disturbance to soil biota, reduce topsoil loss, and improve water retention, making agricultural production more sustainable. The Save Soil Movement estimates that 24 billion tons of fertile soil are lost annually, largely due to conventional farming practices worldwide. If agriculture is to sustainably feed a growing global population beyond 2050, regenerative practices that protect mycorrhizal fungal biomass must become standard. Maintaining consistent vegetation cover allows mycorrhizal networks to draw an estimated 13 billion metric tons of CO2-equivalent from host plants annually. By supporting carbon sequestration, improving plant health, and enhancing soil resilience, mycorrhizal fungi offer a pathway toward more efficient and economically viable farming systems.