Background: Rutgers scientists identified a new root endophytic fungal species Acidomelania panicicola which significantly increases growth and stress tolerance of different plant species. Technology Description: A. panicicola was identified from switchgrass and other grass roots from the New Jersey Pine Barrens where the soil content is nutrient poor acidic dry and has high levels of toxic soluble aluminum. Functional studies showed that A. panicicola significantly increased the root hair growth in switchgrass rice and lettuce seedlings under acidic and poor nutrient conditions. In addition inoculation of A. panicicola in switchgrass resulted in ~15% increase of seedling survival as well as significant increase in root and shoot length. Applications: 1) Agriculture 2) Horticulture 3) Landscape restoration 4) Biofuel feedstock 5) Natural and ecologically-friendly product
1) Easy and economical preparation and formulation 2) Effective under adverse environmental conditions including drought and acid soils 3) Easy combination with other beneficial fungi and bacteria