This grant supports the International Culture Collection of Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (INVAM) at West Virginia University. INVAM will collect, maintain, and distribute authenticated mycorrhizal fungi for research and education activities. Mycorrhyzal fungi are important mutualistic microorganisms in that they have a principal role in maximizing productivity and longevity of plants in natural and cultivated ecosystems. Mycorrhyzal fungi are difficult to culture and maintain. Research progress on this organism depends on a central repository of germplasm maintained under defined conditions. INVAM is expected to serve as a focal point for mycorrhyzal research.
