This study investigates the impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation on soil carbon (C) sequestration and plant growth through meta-analysis and logistic regression. The results show that AMF inoculation generally increases soil organic carbon (SOC) stock and plant biomass accumulation. However, the effect of AMF inoculation on SOC turnover is influenced by factors such as soil sterilization, inoculum type, plant root system, initial SOC content, and soil pH. AMF inoculation in fertile or acidic soils may deplete SOC. Tap-rooted plants are more likely to sequester C into the soil compared to fibrous-rooted plants. Plant total dry biomass is largely dependent on its own photosynthetic pathway, although AMF inoculation can enhance plant growth. The study also found that AMF inoculation significantly increases microbial biomass carbon (MBC) in sterilized soils, but this effect is weakened when AMF inoculum wash is added to non-mycorrhizal treatments. The effect of AMF inoculation on SOC and TDB is not significantly influenced by the species of AMF or the diversity of the inoculum. Root type, initial SOC content, and soil pH are the most important factors influencing SOC turnover under AMF inoculation. AMF inoculation is likely to deplete SOC in soils with high initial SOC content. The study concludes that AMF inoculation is a promising approach for soil C sequestration, particularly in soils with low SOC content. However, the interactions between plants, microbes, and soil triggered by AMF inoculation require further investigation.This study investigates the impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation on soil carbon (C) sequestration and plant growth through meta-analysis and logistic regression. The results show that AMF inoculation generally increases soil organic carbon (SOC) stock and plant biomass accumulation. However, the effect of AMF inoculation on SOC turnover is influenced by factors such as soil sterilization, inoculum type, plant root system, initial SOC content, and soil pH. AMF inoculation in fertile or acidic soils may deplete SOC. Tap-rooted plants are more likely to sequester C into the soil compared to fibrous-rooted plants. Plant total dry biomass is largely dependent on its own photosynthetic pathway, although AMF inoculation can enhance plant growth. The study also found that AMF inoculation significantly increases microbial biomass carbon (MBC) in sterilized soils, but this effect is weakened when AMF inoculum wash is added to non-mycorrhizal treatments. The effect of AMF inoculation on SOC and TDB is not significantly influenced by the species of AMF or the diversity of the inoculum. Root type, initial SOC content, and soil pH are the most important factors influencing SOC turnover under AMF inoculation. AMF inoculation is likely to deplete SOC in soils with high initial SOC content. The study concludes that AMF inoculation is a promising approach for soil C sequestration, particularly in soils with low SOC content. However, the interactions between plants, microbes, and soil triggered by AMF inoculation require further investigation.