fungal cultivar

A fungal cultivar is a specially cultivated strain of fungus that humans or other organisms maintain and grow for specific purposes, often for food, medicine, or agricultural benefits. In nature, some fungi form close, mutually beneficial relationships with plants or insects, intentionally cultivating specific fungal strains. For example, leafcutter ants farm fungal cultivars by collecting plant material to feed the fungi, which then produce nutrients or enzymes the ants can consume. Cultivating fungi allows for controlled production of valuable compounds, improved crop yields, or sustainable resource management, making fungal cultivars integral to various industries and ecological systems.