Methods for lyophilizing and using ericoid mycorrhizal fungi
AssigneesThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, North Carolina State University
InventorsMark C. Starrett, Frank A. Blazich, Steven R. Shafer, Larry F. Grand
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a method for preserving mycorrhizal fungi for long-term storage using lyophilization. This enables use of the fungi for growing and acclimatizing micropropagated plants. The invention is especially useful for preserving mycorrhizal ericoid fungi for long-term storage and use in a soilless medium for growing micropropagated ericaceous plants.
Claims13
Lyophilized Hymenoscyphus fungi.
A sterile, lypophilized plant growth medium comprising a soilless medium containing lyophilized Hymenoscyphus fungi.
A system for growing ericaceous plants comprising a soilless medium, effective amounts of a lyophilized Hymenoscyphus fungi to facilitate the growth and/or the acclimatization of said ericaceous plants, and a container.
A method for lyophilizing Hymenoscyphus fungi comprising:
- (a) placing a precooled sample of Hymenoscyphus fungi into a precooled lyophilizer,
- (b) evacuating said lyophilizer,
- (c) increasing said lyophilizer to about -20.degree. C. after about 24 hours,
- (d) increasing said lyophilizer by about 20.degree. C. about every 24 hours to reach a shelf temperature of about +20.degree. C.,
- (e) venting the chamber of said lyophilizer, and
- (f) removing said fungi.
A method for inoculating micropropagated ericaceous plantlets with Hymenoscyphus fungi comprising:
- (a) reconstituting a soilless medium containing lyophilized Hymenoscyphus fungi using water,
- (b) planting micropropagated ericaceous plantlets in said reconstituted medium, and
- (c) incubating micropropagated plantlets in order to establish colonization of said fungi on plantlet roots.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.