Abstract:Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) possesses the characteristics of both microbe and plant. Considerable attention has been focused on the use of AM in the remediation of polluted soil, but AM could be poisoned by pollutants when exposed to polluted soil, and thus, the significance of its application might be reduced. Therefore, how to reduce the negative effects of pollutants on AM is an issue to be considered in remedying polluted soil by AM. This paper briefly reviewed the effects of different organic and inorganic pollutants on AM structure, formation and function, and discussed the possible mechanisms. Both organic and inorganic pollutants could have detrimental effects on AM structure, formation and function, such as low spore germination, colonization rate, and hyphal growth. Organic pollutants indirectly affect the activity of AM fungi through affecting the carbohydrates allocation from plant to the fungi, while heavy metals directly inhibited the activity of AM fungi.