ARS Patent:METHOD FOR LYOPHILIZING AND USING ERICOID MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI patent (6146880)

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METHOD FOR LYOPHILIZING AND USING ERICOID MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI

See also: US Patent Office Full Record

Patent Number: 6146880
Docket Number: 5697
Serial Number: 9026437
Date Patented: 11/14/2000
Patent Number: 6146880
Docket Number: 5697
Serial Number: 9026437
Date Patented: 11/14/2000

Agricultural Research Service

Date Issued:

November 14, 2000

Abstract:

The invention is a way to preserve beneficial mycorrhizal fungi in long-term storage through freeze-drying. The invention makes it possible to practically produce and store fungi for up to one year for use in a soilless medium, facilitating growth of micropropagated ericaceous plants, such as fruit crops, blueberries, cranberries, as well as ornamentals. In nature, roots of these plants infected by mycorrhizal fungi improve mineral and water absorbing abilities. Previous attempts to achieve long-term storage of non-sporulating mycorrhizal fungi have been unsuccessful. The fungi retain the ability to form mycorrhizae when revitalized after long-term storage. The invention can be used in the production and preservation of mycorrhizal fungi from species in the Hymenoscyphus and Oidiodendron family. The fungi can be freeze-dried in a soilless peat-based medium, providing a simple, ready-to-use inoculum for ericaceous plants, especially for plants propagated in vitro.

Inventors:

Mark C. Starrett
Horticultural Science Department
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
(919)515-1216 / Fax: (919) 515-2505 Steven R. Shafer
Air Quality, Plant Growth
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina 27606
(919) 513-2142 / Fax: (919) 513-3593

Frank A. Blazich
Horticultural Science Department
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
(919) 515-1216 / Fax: (919) 515-1505 Larry F. Grand
Plant Pathology Department
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
(919) 515-2667 / Fax: (919) 515-7716

Technology Description:

The invention is a way to preserve beneficial mycorrhizal fungi in long-term storage through freeze drying. The invention makes it possible to practically produce and store fungi for up to one year for use in a soilless medium, facilitating growth of micropropagated ericaceous plants, such as fruit crops, blueberries, cranberries, as well as ornamentals. In nature, roots of these plants infected by mycorrhizal fungi improve mineral and water absorbing abilities. Previous attempts to achieve long-term storage of non-sporulating mycorrhizal fungi have been unsuccessful. The fungi retain the ability to form mycorrhizae when revitalized after long-term storage. The invention can be used in the production and preservation of mycorrhizal fungi from species in the Hymenoscyphus and Oidiodendron family. The fungi can be freeze dried in a soilless peat-based medium, providing a simple, ready-to-use inoculum for ericaceous plants, especially for plants propagated in vitro.

Reference:

Please refer to USPN 6,146,880, which issued on November 14, 2000.
Inventors:

Mark C. Starrett Steven R. Shafer

Department of Plant and Soil Science Center for Plant Health Science and Technology

University of Vermont USDA-APHIS

Burlington, Vermont 05405 Raleigh, NC 27606

(802)656-0467; (802) 656-4656--fax (919) 513-2124; (919) 513-1995 -- fax

Frank A. Blazich Larry F. Grand

Horticultural Science Department Plant Pathology Department

North Carolina State University North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC 27695 Raleigh, NC 27695

(919) 515-1216; (919) 515-1505 --fax (919) 515-2667; (919)515-7716--fax