The project LIFT – Leveraging Rot Fungi Potential for the Rehabilitation of Degraded Soils: from Mechanisms of Action to Field-Case Effectiveness aims to explore and harness the potential of rot fungi (wood rot fungi) as biological inoculants for the restoration of degraded soils. Rot fungi are naturally widespread soil organisms known for their ability to decompose complex organic matter, improve nutrient availability, and tolerate abiotic stress. Despite these properties, their application in agricultural and agroforestry systems remains largely unexplored and poorly known among key stakeholders such as farmers, industry, and policymakers.
LIFT seeks to bridge this knowledge gap by generating an integrated understanding of rot fungi from mechanistic processes to field-scale applications. The project addresses critical gaps in both the scientific literature and the inoculants market by investigating how rot fungi interact with soil components, plants, and other soil organisms, and by evaluating their effectiveness under realistic field conditions. Equally important, the project considers stakeholder perception and acceptance, which are essential for successful implementation. To achieve these goals, LIFT is structured around six specific objectives:
(i) to profile the systems biology of rot fungi and elucidate the biological and biochemical mechanisms underlying their role in soil restoration;
(ii) to identify and characterize key rot fungi species with high restoration potential, evaluating both individual species and synthetic communities (pairs and triplets);
(iii) to optimize formulation and application strategies to maximize inoculum performance, considering factors such as shelf life, concentration, and delivery formats (e.g. gel matrices or inert powders);
(iv) to assess effectiveness through field trials across different environmental contexts;
(v) to evaluate ecological impacts on soil structure, nutrient dynamics, microbial communities, soil biodiversity, and plant growth over time; and
(vi) to assess stakeholder knowledge, perception, and engagement regarding rot fungi–based inoculant products. By integrating mechanistic research, applied field validation, and stakeholder engagement, LIFT aims to develop practical agroforestry solutions that contribute to sustainable soil management and long-term ecosystem restoration.
