Celebrating INVAM: 35 Years of the Largest Living Culture Collection of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi

The International Culture Collection of (Vesicular-) Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi—INVAM—the largest living culture collection of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) celebrated its 35th year in 2020. The authors record here the mission and goals of INVAM, its contribution as a living culture collection, some historical aspects of INVAM, and describe the advances in mycorrhizology and AMF systematics after INVAM moved to West Virginia University. This commentary emphasizes the importance of a living culture collection to preserve germplasm and to educate and assist researchers in mycorrhizal science.