The symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi contributes to plant tolerance to serpentine edaphic stress

► We studied a role of arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) in plant adaptation to serpentine soil. ► Serpentine and non-serpentine substrates, host plants and AM fungi were combined. ► Serpentine plants and AM isolate showed higher tolerance to serpentine stress. ► Serpentine AM isolate was more efficient in plant growth promotion in serpentine soil. ► The AM-effect stemmed from an improved P nutrition, not a changed Ca, Mg or Ni uptake.