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Links with National and International Institutions with Relevant Programmes, Projects and Activities on Soil Biodiversity
Various projects, activities and initiatives concerning soil biodiversity, soil biological management and soil-plant health interactions, together with its assessment, monitoring, identification, status and role in both natural ecosystems and agroecosystems are ongoing by both private and public agencies, universities, research institutions and consortia. these are briefly described below and the internet links provided for further information.
Thematic index (National
and International Institutions)
 RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
SOIL BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE: TOOLS AND METHODS FOR APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
INFORMATION, TRAINING AND EDUCATION
LABORATORIES AND SERVICES
RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
 Soil biota and ecosystem functions
• Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), UK
The project "Biodiversity and Ecological Processes in Terrestrial Herbaceous Ecosystems" (BIODEPTH) was a pan-European experiment investigating the impacts of biodiversity on ecosystem function. It yielded powerful data and results, as well as implications for European environmental policy.
The Soil Biodiversity Programme aims to achieve simultaneously an understanding of biological diversity of the soil biota and the functional roles played by soil organisms in key ecological processes.
• Kellogg Biological Station, KBS (Long Term Ecological Research site), Michigan State University, USA
Microbial studies at KBS take a variety of forms, with most studies directed towards questions about the patterns, causes, and consequences of microbial diversity and microbial biomass for ecosystem processes in intensively managed agro-ecosystems.
• Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, USA
Soil Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning Program is a collaborative Research, Identifying Ecosystem Controls on Soil Biodiversity.
• Terrestrial Ecosystems Research Initiative (TERI) of the European Union
The Changing Land Usage Enhancement (CLUE) project is studying the enhancement of biodiversity and ecosystem development, and includes studies of the effects of community complexity of both vegetation and soil micro-organisms on ecosystem processes and vegetation dynamics on former agricultural (set-aside) land.
• Scottish Crop Research Institute, UK
The SOAEFD Micronet is studying biodiversity of soil microbial populations and their relationship to plant community structure.
• San Diego State University, USA
The Soil Ecology and Restoration Group (SERG) is a research organization with an emphasis on ecosystem dynamics of both arid and semiarid lands. The primary focus is on soils and below-ground processes in arid and semiarid ecosystems with emphasis on microbial ecology and plant-microorganism relationships.
• Department of Biology, University of York, UK
Below-ground research group seeks to understand how roots and mycorrhiza function under field conditions. Particular interests are the effects of elevated CO2 on root and mycorrhizal function, and on the ecological role of parasitic plants.
• University of Exeter, School of Biological Sciences, UK
The Soil Ecology Group works on above
and below ground biodiversity in natural ecosystems in temperate and most tropical regions covering theory and
practice. They achieved practical knowledge and experience of farming practices and soil fertility management in small-holder farming systems. Contact: Jo Anderson
• The Alternatives to Slash and Burn Programme (ASB), ICRAF -Perú. (CGIAR)
This project looks at the global environmental effects of slash-and-burn agriculture, and technological and policy options to alleviate these effects. The effects of slash and burn on below-ground biota and their consequences to ecosystem function were investigated through a partnership with TSBF and various other national and international agencies. Contact: Julio Alegre
• The National Soil Tilth Laboratory of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
This Laboratory generates and integrates knowledge for the development and evaluation of management practices that enhance surface and ground water quality while ensuring the long term enhancement and conservation of national (USA) soil and water resources. Multidisciplinary research teams conduct quantitative research (topics can be viewed over the web) on soil biological, chemical, and physical processes and their interaction as related to agricultural practices.
• DIVERSITAS: Special Target Area of Research 6: Soil and Sediment Biodiversity
The objective of this research programme is to coordinate information on how soil and sediment species composition and community structure (species distribution and their interactions) influence ecosystem functioning. DIVERSITAS will facilitate and coordinate the sharing of ongoing research and syntheses efforts among scientists to 1) establish links for a baseline of known data on soil and sediment biodiversity and ecosystem processes and 2) identify research priorities as a result of these findings.
Soil fertility and biodiversity relationships
• Soil Science Department of the Institute for Arable Crops Research (IACR), UK
The IACR Soils Department at Rothamsted Agricultural Experiment Station has a long history of soil fertility research, including diverse aspects of studies on soil biota. This site presents some basic information on soil science as well as results of previous and on-going research and many links to other organizations working in soil science.
• Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), UK
As part of the NERC Soil Biodiversity Programme, the Ecotron Research Team has created analogues of simplified natural systems (especially grasslands). The role of different faunal groups, and their interactions, in soil carbon and nitrogen fluxes are being explored by controlled manipulations of the soil biota.
• Studies on Human Impact on Floodplains and Forests in the Tropics (SHIFT) Programme, (GTZ, Germany-EMBRAPA, Brasil)
This programme has been investigating the roles of soil fauna and microflora communities in nutrient cycles of forest and agroforestry systems in the EMBRAPA-Amazonas station, north of Manaus, Brazil. This included the experimental manipulation of the decomposition process to optimize soil biological activity. A new project on the management of plant residues and its effects on macrofauna and decomposition in Amazonian agroecosystems is being initiated for implementation in agroforestry and agricultural systems.
• The Centro de Pesquisa em Agrobiologia of EMBRAPA, Brasil
Brazil-EMBRAPA is developing a series of projects in agro-biodiversity, many of which are dedicated solely to the soil organism and that include both diversity characterizations and functional ecological investigations. Much of the research involves symbiotic and asymbiotic N2 fixers. Contact: George Brown
• Department of Biology, Imperial College at Wye, UK
The principal area of research by this group is the legume/ rhizobium symbiosis and its impact on nutrient cycling. Individual projects range from use of molecular techniques to study the ecology of rhizobia in heavy metal contaminated soils to studies on the role of N2-fixation by legumes in cropping, pasture and agroforestry systems. Particularly interest is placed on the role of plant residue quality in regulating nutrient cycling processes and losses.
• University of Nairobi, Faculty of Agriculture, Kenya
Two programmes are ongoing:
1. Production of Legume Rhizobia Inoculants and Farmer Awareness in Eastern and Southern Africa. The MIRCEN Laboratory at the University of Nairobi and collaborating laboratories at Makarere University and the Madhivan Sugar Company in Jinja, Uganda, produce legume rhizobia inoculants for use by farmers. A general survey revealed that while 95% of farmers were familiar with root nodules, only 26% considered nodules to have beneficial effects, and very few had ever used legume inoculants. The task at hand is to develop informational material that explains the beneficial effects and management of rhizobial inoculants and to better encourage their use by rural communities.
2. Diversity of Plant Parasitic Nematodes Associated with Common Bean. In collaboration with the Department of Crop Pathology, research on interactions between beneficial micro-organisms (Rhizobia) and some pathogenic (root-knot) nematodes using resistant and tolerant genotypes of common bean is being undertaken. The effects of organic amendments on population sizes of micro-organisms e.g. Bacillus spp., Verticilium spp. and Trichoderma spp. that are antagonistic to root-knot nematodes is also being investigated. Contact: Nancy
Karanja
• Istituto Sperimentale per la Nutrizione delle Piante, Roma, Italy
The Division of Nitrogen Nutrition and Soil Microbiology is involved in 20 different research projects on soil biological fertility, soil organic matter (both endogenous and from fertilisers) and nitrogen dynamics in soil.
Study of biological fertility covers soil quality, monitoring, preservation and remediation by microbiological and biochemical techniques. Most of the work has been conducted on microbiological processes, more than on the micro-organisms per se. Determinations via the Biolog technique, as well as by techniques of molecular biology are carried out on soils from farms managed in biological and bio-dynamic way.
An in-depth investigation is being conducted under Cost Action 831 on soil biotechnologies. The most recent microbiology study is the Collections Project, in which a census of soil micro-organisms with potential applications is being undertaken; innoculants for the bio-activation of biomass for composting will be produced according to the standards proposed by the world bank of glomales. PANDA project deals with various aspects of micro-organisms and soil biodiversity. Contact: Anna Benedetti
• Management of Organic Inputs in Soils of the Tropics (MOIST), Cornell University International Institute for Food, Agriculture and Development, USA.
The MOIST Group is an interdisciplinary working group set up to investigate and exchange information on cover crops, green manures, managed fallows and mulches in tropical farming systems in order to optimize the management of organic inputs for harnessing the biological potential of legumes, manures, residues, and soil fauna to improve and sustain evolving agricultural systems in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
• Tamil Nadu University - India
Conducting activities on bio-remediation, biological fertilizers, biological nitrogen fixation (green manure in rice soil eco-system), biodiversity of soil organisms used for biopesticides. Contact: S. Kannaiyan
Genetic resources and soil biodiversity
• Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), UK.
The Center for Ecology and Hydrology (NERC) in Oxford, UK, is contributing to the debate on the risks and benefits of genetically modified organisms and is helping to improve the understanding and create models of key soil processes controlling transformations in soils and the transfers of water, solutes and gases between soil pools, soil and the atmosphere, soils and plants, and soils and drainage waters.
• Department of Microbial Ecology and Biotechnology, National Environmental Research Institute of Denmark
Biotechnological applications being investigated include plant growth promoting bacteria, endophytic saprophytes to enhance plant disease resistance, microbial pest control agents to offset the environmental problems of chemical pesticides, and nutrients and inocula to stimulate biodegradation of xenobiotics (bioremediation).
• Laboratorio de Microbiología - Uruguay
Identification and management of soil biota. A study is ongoing on plant growth promoters in rice and biological nitrogen fixation. Work is being carried out on biological indicators of soil quality and health and its relation with soil physical and chemical conditions in different agroecosystems and under different management practices. A gene-bank of N-fixing living organisms is available in the laboratory. The objective of this gene-bank are: 1- to preserve germplasm of N fixing organism from different habitats, 2- serve as a reliable source of germplasm for researchers, educators and industry. Contact: Carlos Labandera
• Organization: COST-Action 831, U.E. European Co-operationAction
Biotechnology of Soil Monitoring, Conservation and Remediation. (COST-Action 831). The objectives are:
· To improve the effectiveness of microbial and molecular biology methods so as to achieve better monitoring, conservation and remediation of soil;
· To use new microbial parameters as better indicators of environmental impact;
· To help early detection of any fertility decline of natural ecosystems by the setting up of efficient and rapid methods of soil pollution diagnosis. Contact: Oliver Dilly
• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Saibersdorf Laboratory, Austria
Assisting national programmes to use nuclear techniques to develop integrated strategies for improving the efficiency of nutrient and water use. Training facilities on biological nitrogen fixation assessment using N-15 methodology are available. This methodology can be used in developing countries to evaluate or screen various germoplasm or evaluate biodiversity in terms of biological nitrogen fixation. Contact: Gudni Hardarson
SOIL BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE: TOOLS AND METHODS FOR APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
AAFC has undertaken to review activities and issues pertaining to biodiversity in Canada's agricultural soils. The review will be coordinated at the AAFC research station, Southern Crop Protection and Food Research Centre, in London, Ontario.
• The Soil Quality Institute of USDA
The Soil Quality Institute in Iowa State identifies soil quality research findings and practical technologies that help conserve and improve soil, and enhance farming, ranching, forestry, and gardening enterprises. The Institute works with researchers, conservationists, and land managers to develop these technologies and make them readily available.
• Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SAREP), University of California, USA
SAREP provides leadership and support for scientific research and education to encourage farmers, farmworkers, and consumers in California to produce, distribute, process and consume food and fiber in a manner that is economically viable, sustains natural resources and biodiversity (including soil biodiversity), and enhances the quality of life in the state's diverse communities for present and future generations. Several research projects address the issue of soil biota and their role in sustainable agriculture.
• Organic Farming Research Foundation, Ca, USA
This organization seeks to foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming practices. Several projects concerning the important services of soil biota have been funded over the last 10 years. Interesting links to other sites working on organic agriculture are given.
• The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, UK
Soil Quality and Protection Program. It includes the development of plant and microbial indicators of soil quality for highly organic, extensively managed upland soils, and more intensively managed lowland soils, subject to stresses such as pollution and waste utilization.
• CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization), Australia
Biodiversity and Management of Soil Biota for Sustainable Rural Production. Work under this programme includes:
- Development and application of new techniques for the rapid diagnosis
of the biological status of soils.
- Development of methods to characterize and quantify the biodiversity
of soil microbial populations.
- Determination of the impact of agricultural practices on the biological
health and functioning of soils and definition of the linkages between soil biology, soil functioning, soil health and sustainable crop production.
- Provision of strategies, based on soil biology assessment, that will improve soil health and sustainable crop production, and use soil biodiversity as a tool to facilitate and monitor bioremediation of contaminated soils.
Soil Biodiversity Research on the functional diversity of soil organisms in the development of sustainable agriculture and land management systems; develop interactive identification keys and other information tools and conduct research on the systematics of major groups of soil fauna.
• Agroecology/Sustainable Agriculture Program (ASAP) at the University of Illinois, USA
ASAP facilitates and promotes research and education which protects Illinois' natural and human resources while sustaining agricultural production. This web-site contains exhaustive information about the ASAP program and sustainable agriculture in Illinois and beyond. The Illinois Soil Quality Initiative (ISQI) has joined indvidual farmers and various organizations and associations who are working together to identify indices that farmers can use to make decisions about their own stewardship goals.
• The Center for Agroecology
and Sustainable Food Systems of the University of California, Santa Cruz, USA
The Center research includes both theoretical and practical approaches to sustainability, to understand the basic ecological processes of sustainable agriculture, and at the same time develop and test production techniques that provide alternatives to conventional practices. The center is presently studying the effects of organic inputs soil and plant nutrient levels, weed suppression, earthworm populations, and crop yields. Other projects examine large-scale composting efforts, soil nutrient dynamics, and the efficient use of organic soil amendments.
• Makerere University, Uganda; University of Nairobi, Kenya Eastern Uganda and Western Kenya, Africa.
Integrating Pest and Soil Fertility Management for Enhanced Productivity of Bean/Maize Cropping Systems.
The overall objective of the proposed research is to optimise the effects of cultural practices used by farmers that result in improved and integrated management of pests and soil nutrients (IPNM) in bean-maize cropping system. Research efforts in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) have tended to proceed separately. The approach used in this proposed research is to focus on those pest control and nutrient management practices commonly used by farmers and being investigated by scientists to identify both synergistic and antagonistic effects on crop health and productivity. Contact: Charles Gachene
• CSIC (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Spain
Working in forest ecosystems on soil organism functioning and cycle of bio-elements. Beginning shortly a new INCO/EU Project named REVOLSO about new soil management for preserving biodiversity in volcanic soils in Mexico and Chile. Contact: Juan Gallardo Lancho; Bettina Landau
• African Highlands Initiative (AHI), Tanzania
Major activities that involve farmers and relevant stakeholders in highlands of east and Central Africa are: use of local shrubs in fertilizing soils, use of and improvement of the quality of farmyard manure, Integrated Pest Management and use of botanical pesticides in controlling crop pests. Contact: Jeremias Mowo
• Agricultural Research Institute (ARI)-Mlingano - Tanzania
Integrated Plant Nutrient Management Programme include activities like residue management for soil fertility improvement, improved fallows using nitrogen fixing species, etc. A research proposal on the role of termites in tropical agroecosystems is being prepared. Contact: George J. Ley or Adolf S. Nyaki
• The TSBF Institute of CIAT
The Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility (TSBF) Programme is a research programme focusing on the management of the Biological and Organic resources of Soil. Its approach goes beyond organic farming and seeks to understand the interactions between the biological system of soil with inorganic fertilisers and other industrial inputs. It works with a wide range of partners, including the African Network for Soil Biology and Fertility (AfNet), South Asian Regional Network (SARNet), and various Regional and Global Alliances.
This TSBF process has culminated in the funding of a 5-year, multi-country project "Conservation and sustainable management of below-ground biodiversity", by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Through the project a consortium of institutions in seven countries—Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, and Uganda—will develop improved methods for conserving and managing the extraordinarily diverse community of soil organisms (including bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and invertebrate animals), which represent a huge segment of global biodiversity. This work will lead to improvement in vital environmental services, such as regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, and provide farmers in the tropics with new options for intensifying agriculture while protecting natural resources.
Contact : Nteranya Sanginga
• People, Land Management and Environmental Change (PLEC) Project.
Initiated in 1993 by the United Nations University (UNU) and supported by GEF/ UNEP since 1998.
This project, funded by GEF and spear-headed by the United Nations University involves a collaborative effort between scientists and small farmers from across the developing world to develop sustainable and participatory approaches to conservation, especially of biodiversity, based on farmers' technologies and knowledge within small farmers' agricultural systems. By integrating locally developed knowledge of soil, climate, biological resources and other physical factors with scientific assessments of their quality in relation to crop production, practical and sustainable agricultural technologies and policies can be devised to support the maintenance of crop diversity and management diversity.
Contact: Luohui Liang
a) PLEC-Tanzania: Training of farmers on: manure management in both semi-arid and sub-humid environments, making of quality compost and its application for diverse crops and cropping systems, soil & water conservation by using traditional methods of trashbands, mulching, use of creeping crops like sweet potatoes (surface cover techniques), planting of endangered local tree and grasses that have the potential for soil fertility improvement and microbiological activity enhancement.
Organisation: Ukiriguru Agricultural Research Centre - Tanzania
Contact: Fidelis B.S. Kaihura,
b) PLEC - Kenya: Assessment of diversity in management of soil, water, biota and genetic resources in different socio-economic environments; Integrating locally developed knowledge of soils, climate and biological resources with scientific assessment of their quality in relation to crop production.
Organisation: Kenya Soil Survey , Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI)
Contact: Edward Mare Muya, or Romano M. Kiome
• University of East Anglia, School of Development Studies, UK
Member of the TSBF Board of Management and one of the two Trustees (along with Professor Ken Giller, University of Zimbabwe). Also involved in tropical agricultural development, land resources and soil conservation in sub-Saharan Africa, South America and South and South-east Asia. As Associate Scientific Coordinator of the GEF-funded Project on People, Land Management and Environmental Change (PLEC). Contact: Michael Stocking
• Global Invasive Species Programme GISP, USA
GISP is an international team of biologists, natural resource managers, economists, and policy makers that is organizing to prepare a global strategy for addressing the invasive species problem, including invasive soil biota.
• Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau International (CABI)
1. Region: ASIA (India, Pakistan and Nepal). Organization: CIMMYT on behalf of the Rice Wheat Consortium, New Dehli with CABI Bioscience, UK.
2. Region: Africa (Cameroon). Organization: CABI Bioscience
3. Region: Pacific Island countries. Organization: CABI Bioscience
CABI International's activities in the area of biodiversity involve research in the conservation and sustainable use of indigenous biodiversity of fungi, plant-associated bacteria, insects, mites and parasitic nematodes for biological pest control and in the development of environmental benign technology to protect and conserve biodiversity in conservation areas, forests and farm lands.
1. Soil Health and Sustainability of the Rice - Wheat Systems of the Indo Gangetic Plains: The goal of this project is to reverse yield stagnation and decline in the yields of the rice-wheat cropping systems of the Indo-Gangetic Plains through the productive and sustainable use of soil resources. This project is designed to first identify the broad spectrum of soil micro-organisms, both pathogenic and non-pathogenic, associated with the rice-wheat sequence in farmers' fields comparing conventional and zero tillage practices in wheat.
2. Comparisons of Soil and Root Biotic Health in Organic and Non-organic Cocoa Farming Systems in Cameroon as a Means of Developing an Integrated Approach of Pest and Disease Management.
Research proposed in this project aims at achieving a better understanding of the soil-borne pathogens, parasites, beneficial antagonists and other micro-biota associated with cocoa in relation to the changeover to organic cocoa farming systems. The purpose is to provide relevant information on the soil biotic health of cocoa plantations in Cameroon as affected by the introduction of/ conversion to organic farming systems for the development of an integrated approach to pest and disease management based on cultural practices and biological control.
3. Comparative Soil Biotic Diversity and Health of Forested and Deforested Land in the Pacific Island Countries
The project will provide relevant and comparative information on the soil-borne pathogens, parasites, beneficial antagonist and other micro-biota associated with the soil biotic health of forested, deforested and buffer zones and of recently cultivated and reverted land. The micro-biota that will be the focus of this project are soil-borne fungi and nematodes. The project will test and develop protocols in relation to the organism found and provide a published guideline for the future monitoring of the shifts and changes occurring with a view to assisting in the decision making process. Farmers will be fully involved by use of participatory interactions.
Contact: John Bridge
• Biodiversité et Fonctionnement du Sol (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, IRD, France)
This is a large, long term, multi-disciplinary project being developed by researchers of IRD, in collaboration with other institutions in Brazil (Cerrados and Amazonia) and Argentina (Corrientes Province), on the factors (human, environmental, climatic, edaphic, agronomic, etc.) controlling biodiversity in soil and the role of soil organisms in ecosystem functioning.
Contact: Patrick Lavelle
• The Rodale Institute, UK
The Rodale Institute works with people worldwide to achieve a regenerative food system that renews environmental and human health working with the philosophy "Healthy Soil = Healthy Food = Healthy People".
• International Pesticide Application Research Center (IPARC), UK
This Centre is part of the Agricultural and Environment Section of the Biology Department at Imperial College. Training remains an important part of its activities, although more emphasis has recently been given to research on new technology, such as the use of bio-pesticides including entomophagic nematodes and fungi. The safe use and management of pesticides is important in managing soil biodiversity.
INFORMATION, TRAINING AND EDUCATION
• Centre for Information on Low-External-Input and Sustainable Agriculture (ILEIA)
ILEIA's objective is to develop low external-input sustainable agriculture (LEISA) and promote its adoption by collecting and exchanging information, facilitating farmer-guided research to assess the viability of LEISA production systems and by contributing to the political debate on sustainable agriculture.
• Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA), USA
ATTRA is a leading information source for farmers and Extension agents thinking about sustainable farming practices. Each year, ATTRA specialists prepare thousands of resource packets on alternative agriculture topics like sustainable farming, organic farming, cover crops, green manures, crop rotations, composts, organic fertilizers, and novel soil amendments.
• International Potato Center (CIP), Ecuador
Soil health research and training projects linked with the regional MOSANDES project on Sustainable Management of Soils in the Andes. Contact: Stephen G. Sherwood
• CAMAREN Consortium, Ecuador
Technical assistance and practical training on soil management for the Andean region. Contact: Rusvel Ríos
• VECO-Tanzania (Belgian NGO).
Training on integrated crop husbandry for 60 farmers following a farmer field school (FFS) approach. During the training emphasis is put on the activities and roles of soil micro- and macro-organisms, in order to create awareness on the effects of burning residues and of intensive soil disturbance on soil moisture and nutrient retention. Contact: M. Sizya or W. Swai
• University of Reading. faculty of Agriculture and Food. Department of Soil Science, UK
International experience on training on soil microbiology. Working in developing countries in Asia and Latin America with local scientists to develop capability to quantify and manage soil biodiversity. Contact: Martin Wood
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Biological Diversity in Food and Agriculture
• Soil Productivity Improvement through Farmer Field Schools
(Farmer-SPI)
This site provides information on FAO's pilot programme on Soil Productivity Improvement through Farmer Field Schools. Specifically, it aims at promoting the exchange of information and experiences on the development and implementation of FFS for enhancing and sustaining soil productivity. The site is targetting those involved in developing participatory or FFS land management and conservation programmes, resource persons and senior extension officers as well as agricultural development specialists.
LABORATORIES AND SERVICES
• Soil Foodweb Incorporated
www.soilfoodweb.com
• The National Soil Tilth Laboratory of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
http://www.nstl.gov/
• Woods End Research Laboratory, Incorporated
http://www.woodsend.org/index.html
• FAO/IAEA Agriculture and Biotechnology Laboratory
http://www.iaea.org/programmes/nafa/d1
• INVAM. International Culture Collection of Arbuscular Micorrhizal Fungi
http://invam.caf.wvu.edu/
• BEG. La Banque Europeenne des Glomales
http://wwwbio.ukc.ac.uk/beg/
• Microbial Resources Centres (MIRCENs) Network in environmental, applied microbiological and biotechnological research.
We are currently updating the website
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