Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form endosymbiosis with over 70 % of land plants, including most crops including cereals. These symbioses facilitate resource exchange between partners and can significantly increase plant nutrient uptake and growth, among other benefits. AMF ubiquity in agricultural soils, in addition to the many roles they are known to play in soil health, demands we consider them when discussing crop function. We discuss how AMF are capable of increasing crop acquisition of macro- and micronutrients. We examine further impacts that AMF have on root system architecture, and how this relates to nutrient acquisition. We highlight reasons why potential benefits of the symbiosis are often not realised and how this influences current perspectives on the utility of AMF. We also discuss aspects of modern agronomy practice which are deleterious to mycorrhizal functioning. Strategies are suggested by which mycorrhizas might be exploited in future highlighting future research priorities.