Fungi Spray Boosts Pine Growth, Reduces Fertiliser Need

A U.S. startup, Funga, is pioneering a novel approach to forestry by inoculating fast-growing loblolly pine seedlings with a liquid extract of wild soil fungi. This treatment, likened to a microbiome transplant for trees, aims to enhance biodiversity and reduce the dependency on artificial fertilisers. The process involves applying a complex mix of hundreds of soil fungal species, which work symbiotically with pine roots to scavenge essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus.

Intensively managed pine plantations across 13 southern U.S. states, known as the 'woodbasket of the world,' often suffer from depleted fungal communities due to timber harvesting cycles. Funga's method aims to restore these vital underground fungal networks from the early stages of seedling growth. Founded in 2022, the company has rapidly scaled its operations, treating approximately 25,000 acres by 2025, with early results indicating growth responses exceeding 100% in some trials and a targeted average increase of 30%.

Beyond fostering healthier forests and potentially increasing carbon sequestration, Funga's innovation is also tied to the burgeoning carbon market. The company has secured a multi-million dollar carbon removal deal with Netflix, with its model designed to address common criticisms of carbon offset schemes by focusing on additional tree growth and promoting timber for long-term storage. Funga plans to expand its fungal inoculation technology to other tree species and regions, including Douglas fir in the Pacific Northwest and trials in Wales.