The CEnter of Study on AM Monoxenics has developed an extensive know-how on the in vitro culture i.e. the monoxenic culture of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Based on its expertise, four main objectives are actively pursued :

Biodiversity

- Systematics of AMF using integrated morphological and molecular tools.

- Anastomosis and nuclear exchange: implications for taxonomy, biodiversity and agro-environmental adaptability of AMF.

Physiology

- Investigation of the extraradical mycelium of AMF: architecture, function of anastomosis (cytoplasm-protoplasm fluxes) and mechanisms of reparation.

- Gene expression in the extraradical mycelium of AMF subjected to plant signals.

- Role of AMF on the transport of carbon and minerals (phosphorus) as well as of radionuclides (caesium, uranium) and mechanisms involved.

Biotic and abiotic stresses

- Influence of the sterol biosynthesis inhibitor fungicides on the AM symbiosis.

- In situ study of the impact of AMF on growth, development, yield and pathogen resistance/tolerance of agriculturally-important plants (potato, banana, …).

Glomeromycota IN vitro COllection (GINCO)

- The development of a trans-continental collection of in vitro cultured AMF strains (GINCO) between BCCM™/MUCL and the ECORC, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, in charge of the Canadian Collection of Fungal Cultures (CCFC, Canada), aimed at providing the scientific community and the industrial sectors with high-quality contaminant-free germplasms.

Website of the collection : http://www.mycorrhiza.be/ginco-bel