It will also lower the minimum nutrient requirement for growth. If Mark can develop this inoculant, then nurseries won't have to apply as much fertilizer. That makes this environmentally friendly. Blazich served as Starrett's advisor while he was a graduate student at NCSU, where he began this research. While there, Starrett developed a technique to freeze-dry mycorrhizal fungi to maintain greater viability for extended periods of time.
Biological inoculants can be difficult to store because they are living organisms.
He recently was awarded a U.S. patent for this technique. In related research, funded by the American Floral Endowment, Starrett is studying whether this fungus also will be able to protect ericaceous plants from certain root diseases. He is currently conducting research on florist azaleas in Florida in cooperation with Yoder Brothers, a world leader in flowering research and breeding. Fungicide is not effective, so we are looking at biological control methods. This is of great interest to Hank Van Dine, owner of Acorn Ridge Nursery in Grand Isle.