A method of inoculating a tree with an ectomycorrhizal fungus is disclosed. The method comprises contacting at least one non-terrestrial adventitious root of the tree with the ectomycorrhizal fungus under conditions suitable for inoculation of the at least one non-terrestrial adventitious root by the ectomycorrhizal fungus. Methods of cultivating the ectomycorrhizal fungus are also disclosed as well as systems and devices for same.

A method of inoculating a tree with an ectomycorrhizal fungus is disclosed. The method comprises contacting at least one non-terrestrial adventitious root of the tree with the ectomycorrhizal fungus under conditions suitable for inoculation of the at least one non-terrestrial adventitious root by the ectomycorrhizal fungus. Methods of cultivating the ectomycorrhizal fungus are also disclosed as well as systems and devices for same.

A method for growing a seedling, the method includes specifying a growth-contributing fungus contributable to growth of a target plant to be grown artificially, isolating the growth-contributing fungus, culturing the isolated growth-contributing fungus to obtain an inoculum, growing the inoculum with a growth substrate to obtain a microorganism bed, and rooting and growing the target plant in compost including the microorganism bed. In the specifying a growth-contributing fungus contributable to growth of a target plant to be grown artificially, the growth-contributing fungus is an indigenous nonmycorrhizal filamentous fungus to inhabit a planting site in which the target plant is to be planted or a neighborhood of the planting site and to live in symbiosis with a plant without a mycorrhiza.

A method for growing a seedling, the method includes specifying a growth-contributing fungus contributable to growth of a target plant to be grown artificially, isolating the growth-contributing fungus, culturing the isolated growth-contributing fungus to obtain an inoculum, growing the inoculum with a growth substrate to obtain a microorganism bed, and rooting and growing the target plant in compost including the microorganism bed. In the specifying a growth-contributing fungus contributable to growth of a target plant to be grown artificially, the growth-contributing fungus is an indigenous nonmycorrhizal filamentous fungus to inhabit a planting site in which the target plant is to be planted or a neighborhood of the planting site and to live in symbiosis with a plant without a mycorrhiza.

This invention relates to methods and materials for providing a benefit to a plant by associating the plant with a complex endophyte comprising a host fungus further comprising a component bacterium, including benefits to a plant derived from a seed or other plant element treated with a complex endophyte. For example, this invention provides purified complex endophytes, purified complex endophyte components such as bacteria or fungi, synthetic combinations comprising said complex endophytes and/or components, and methods of making and using the same.

A system for growing fungi, the system comprising a nutritive vehicle, a porous material, an administrable space, fungal tissue comprising fungal hyphae having a growth pattern, the fungal tissue connecting said nutritive vehicle to said porous material to said administrable space, wherein the fungal tissue within said space defines at least one successive fungal material layer; and a chemically or physically altered separated portion of fungal material, the separated portion separated from said fungal tissue.

A system for growing fungi, the system comprising a nutritive vehicle, a porous material, an administrable space, fungal tissue comprising fungal hyphae having a growth pattern, the fungal tissue connecting said nutritive vehicle to said porous material to said administrable space, wherein the fungal tissue within said space defines at least one successive fungal material layer; and a chemically or physically altered separated portion of fungal material, the separated portion separated from said fungal tissue.

The present invention relates to a method of co-culturing Inonotus obliquus, Ganoderma lucidum, and Phellinus linteus. The co-cultured mycelia prepared through the method of the present invention have high beta-glucan content and thus can exhibit superior health functionality, and can be used as an additive or a cooking seasoning in various foods. In addition, the use of the co-cultured mycelia in curing raw meat enables easy preparation of a meat-based food product that has a good taste and flavor.

Methods of propagating Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) are described that do not require the addition of, or presence of, any detectable live host plant material or live plant root material. The method comprises addition of water and optionally exposure to sunlight. It was surprisingly found that soil devoid of any detectable live host plant material, including host plant roots, is capable of supporting AMF reproduction, though it is widely believed that AMF are obligate symbionts requiring live plant roots for colonization to reproduce. Described methods optionally include active removal of living host plant material from the soil prior to AMF inoculation. Optionally, phosphorous compounds are added to the soil prior to inoculation. It was found that addition of phosphorous compounds, such as phosphite, to the soil enhances the growth of AMF spores by as much as three-fold over controls having no added phosphorous compounds.

Methods of propagating Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) are described that do not require the addition of, or presence of, any detectable live host plant material or live plant root material. The method comprises addition of water and optionally exposure to sunlight. It was surprisingly found that soil devoid of any detectable live host plant material, including host plant roots, is capable of supporting AMF reproduction, though it is widely believed that AMF are obligate symbionts requiring live plant roots for colonization to reproduce. Described methods optionally include active removal of living host plant material from the soil prior to AMF inoculation. Optionally, phosphorous compounds are added to the soil prior to inoculation. It was found that addition of phosphorous compounds, such as phosphite, to the soil enhances the growth of AMF spores by as much as three-fold over controls having no added phosphorous compounds.