Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, enhancing nutrient uptake, drought resistance, salt tolerance, and heavy metal resistance. This review highlights the role of AMF in plant abiotic stress responses. AMF improve nutrient absorption by extending root systems and facilitating nutrient transport. They also enhance drought resistance by improving water use efficiency, osmotic adjustment, and antioxidant capacity. AMF help plants tolerate salt stress by regulating ion homeostasis and increasing K+/Na+ ratios. Additionally, AMF improve heavy metal resistance by chelating metals, reducing their toxicity, and enhancing plant metabolism. AMF also regulate plant hormones such as auxin, abscisic acid, gibberellin, and strigolactones, which influence stress responses. The symbiosis involves complex molecular mechanisms, including lipid and sugar metabolism, signaling pathways, and gene expression. Despite their benefits, challenges remain in large-scale application of AMF due to difficulties in inoculum production and quality control. Future research should focus on improving AMF application techniques and understanding their functional diversity to enhance sustainable agriculture.Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, enhancing nutrient uptake, drought resistance, salt tolerance, and heavy metal resistance. This review highlights the role of AMF in plant abiotic stress responses. AMF improve nutrient absorption by extending root systems and facilitating nutrient transport. They also enhance drought resistance by improving water use efficiency, osmotic adjustment, and antioxidant capacity. AMF help plants tolerate salt stress by regulating ion homeostasis and increasing K+/Na+ ratios. Additionally, AMF improve heavy metal resistance by chelating metals, reducing their toxicity, and enhancing plant metabolism. AMF also regulate plant hormones such as auxin, abscisic acid, gibberellin, and strigolactones, which influence stress responses. The symbiosis involves complex molecular mechanisms, including lipid and sugar metabolism, signaling pathways, and gene expression. Despite their benefits, challenges remain in large-scale application of AMF due to difficulties in inoculum production and quality control. Future research should focus on improving AMF application techniques and understanding their functional diversity to enhance sustainable agriculture.