The Urgent Need to Preserve the International Collection of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi

The International Collection of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (INVAM), located at the University of Kansas, faces potential closure due to significant federal budget cuts proposed by the Trump administration, which could slash National Science Foundation (NSF) funding by 57%. Established in 1985, INVAM is the largest living library of soil fungi, housing over 900 distinct fungal strains crucial for ecosystem health and agricultural productivity. Without new funding, INVAM may only survive for another year, jeopardizing vital research and ecological restoration efforts.

The Guardian

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi play a critical role in supporting the growth of approximately 70% of land plant species by enhancing nutrient uptake and providing resilience against environmental stressors. They also serve as significant carbon sinks, contributing to climate change mitigation. The fungi are essential for restoring degraded ecosystems and reducing reliance on artificial fertilizers, making their preservation vital for sustainable agriculture.

The Guardian

Professor Liz Koziol and Dr. Terra Lubin are leading efforts at INVAM, working meticulously to maintain and propagate AM fungal spores. Jim Bever, the curator, emphasizes the collection's irreplaceability for scientific research, stating that the loss of INVAM would be akin to closing a major cultural institution for artists. Toby Kiers, a prominent mycologist, echoes this sentiment, highlighting the collection's importance for future climate strategies and ecological restoration.

The Guardian

Despite the potential of AM fungi, the commercial biofertilizer market is plagued by issues. A 2024 study revealed that 87% of products marketed as AM fungal biofertilizers failed to effectively colonize plant roots, often containing dead spores or pathogens. Bever criticizes the lack of regulation in the industry, which leads to widespread waste of resources on ineffective products. This highlights the necessity of maintaining public research infrastructures like INVAM to provide reliable solutions.

The Guardian

The potential closure of INVAM poses significant risks not only to scientific research but also to agricultural practices and ecosystem restoration efforts. The loss of this collection would hinder the ability to study and utilize AM fungi effectively, which are crucial for enhancing soil health and combating the adverse effects of modern agricultural practices. The ongoing decline of AM fungi in cultivated lands necessitates their reintroduction for successful restoration.

The Guardian

Bever has expressed grave concerns about the future of INVAM, stating, “I have a hard time thinking about that possibility,” referring to the collection's potential closure. Kiers has emphasized the need to safeguard INVAM for leveraging fungi in climate change strategies, asserting, “To lose this library would be an unimaginable tragedy.”

The Guardian

• “INVAM represents a library of hundreds of millions of years of evolution,” — Toby Kiers, Executive Director, Society for Protection of Underground Networks

The Guardian

• “Unfortunately, the quality of most products available to farmers or restoration practitioners is really just terrible,” — Jim Bever, Curator, INVAM

The Guardian

• “To have any hope in leveraging fungi for future climate change strategies, restoration efforts and regenerative agriculture, we need to safeguard this collection,” — Toby Kiers, Mycologist

The Guardian

As researchers prepare new funding proposals, the urgency to secure financial support for INVAM is paramount. The fate of this vital collection hangs in the balance, with implications that extend far beyond the laboratory, affecting agriculture, ecosystem health, and climate resilience.

The Guardian