Key Takeaways:
- The International Collection of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (INVAM) is the world’s largest living library of soil fungi, containing over 900 distinct fungal strains.
- The collection is at risk of being shut down due to federal budget cuts, which would be catastrophic for mycological research and the environment.
- Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi have the potential to restore degraded ecosystems, rebuild damaged soils, and reduce artificial fertilizer use.
- The commercial market for fungal biofertilizers is worth $1.29 billion, but most products are ineffective and lack regulation.
- High-quality biofertilizers can be priceless in promoting sustainable agriculture and ecosystem restoration.
Introduction to INVAM
The University of Kansas is home to the International Collection of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (INVAM), the world’s largest living library of soil fungi. This collection, which has been built over four decades, is a treasure trove of over 900 distinct fungal strains collected from six continents. However, due to federal budget cuts, the collection is at risk of being shut down, which would be catastrophic for mycological research and the environment. For leading mycologist Toby Kiers, the loss of INVAM would be equivalent to closing the Louvre for artists.
The Importance of AM Fungi
Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are symbiotic organisms that support the growth of 70% of land plant species across all ecosystems. In exchange for sugars and fats, they provide plants with vital nutrients such as phosphorus, nitrogen, and trace metals, and buffer them against drought, disease, and other stressors. These fungi also represent a substantial underground sink for carbon dioxide. The importance of AM fungi cannot be overstated, and their potential to restore degraded ecosystems, rebuild damaged soils, and reduce artificial fertilizer use is vast.
The Threat of Budget Cuts
The INVAM collection has relied on successive federal grants for its entire existence, but the latest funding ended in May. The Trump administration’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 would slash funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) by 57%, making it even more difficult to secure funding. Without another grant, the collection can only survive for another year, after which it may be forced to close. The staff at INVAM are critical to the collection’s survival, as the spores of AM fungi die without sustained, meticulous work.
The Process of Maintaining INVAM
The process of maintaining the INVAM collection is labor-intensive and requires specialized expertise. Associate curator Terra Lubin works at a microscope to isolate and identify AM spores from intact soils, which are then painted onto the roots of a sudan grass seedling. The plants are grown in a sterile greenhouse for 12 weeks, allowing the fungi to colonize their roots and soil. The spores are then harvested and stored in a cold room. This process must be repeated annually for each of the 900-plus strains in the collection.
The Failure of Commercial Biofertilizers
The commercial market for fungal biofertilizers is worth $1.29 billion, but most products are ineffective and lack regulation. A 2024 study found that 87% of commercial biofertilizers failed to colonize plant roots, and many contained dead spores or no spores at all. Some products even contained known plant pathogens. The lack of regulation and expertise in the industry has led to a situation where most commercial biofertilizers are worthless, and land managers are wasting money on ineffective products.
The Potential of High-Quality Biofertilizers
Despite the failure of most commercial biofertilizers, high-quality preparations of AM fungal spores can be priceless in promoting sustainable agriculture and ecosystem restoration. At a field research plot near INVAM’s base in Lawrence, Kansas, the impact of invisible fungi is obvious. The introduction of AM fungi has transformed a tired old hay field into a diverse and thriving ecosystem, with tall-grass prairie plants and a wide range of wildlife. The effects of AM fungi are likely to be strongest in perennial crops, but evidence shows they can also boost the growth of annual staples such as maize.
The Need for Federal Investment
The importance of INVAM and the potential of AM fungi cannot be overstated. However, the current administration’s shift away from basic science funding and towards more applied research has put the collection at risk. Private donors may be able to fill some of the funding gap, but there is no substitute for federal investment. As Toby Kiers said, "To have any hope in leveraging fungi for future climate change strategies, restoration efforts, and regenerative agriculture, we need to safeguard this collection." The loss of INVAM would be an unimaginable tragedy, and it is essential that we take action to protect this vital resource.