Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AM-fungi, Glomeromycota) colonise the roots of most crops. They increase plant growth by improving nutrient and water uptake or suppressing pathogens and pests. In addition, mycorrhizal fungi can have a positive impact on the productivity and biodiversity of plant ecosystems. Spore density, species diversity, the extent of root colonisation and the infection potential of these fungi are important parameters of biological soil quality. Not only can the diversity of mycorrhizal-fungi communities serve as an indicator of soil quality and soil fertility; the composition of these fungal communities also furnishes information on soil type, land use intensity, and fertilisation intensity. The current system of the Glomeromycota comprises three classes, five orders, 15 families and 32 genera.
Interest in these fungi on the part of research, industry and the general public has increased considerably over the past few years. We have therefore created a Swiss collection of mycorrhizal fungi that will allow us to provide a wide array of these fungi to users, producers and researchers. Our constantly expanding collection currently contains over 17 different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal species and over 200 different isolates. More than 20 species are propagated at the moment and the collection is continuously expanded. A list of available isolates is shown on this webpage.
