Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) symbiosis is one of the best known beneficial plant-microorganism associations widely distributed on earth. AM symbiosis plays a vital role in the material cycle of soil ecosystem and also in maintaining the stability of ecosystem. AM symbiosis establishment implies a signal recognition, exchange and transduction between both partners that leads to mutual recognition and development of symbiotic structures. This paper reviews the recent research progresses in signal recognition, exchange and transduction mechanism in the pre-establishment and establishment stages in AM symbiosis, aiming to clarify the signal recognition mechanism in the establishment of AM symbiosis. Furthermore, the review addresses the weaknesses in the current researches and also proposes future research needs.