A Juncao science and technology research institute is established at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University on Dec 5. [Photo provided by Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University]

A science and technology research institute for Juncao, or fungus grass, was established at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University on Dec 5.

The research institute is expected to build a complete sci-tech system with a focus on Juncao, and give full play to the important role of Juncao in serving the construction of the Belt and Road and rural revitalization.

The research institute will consist of six innovation teams spanning Juncao seeds improvement and protection, an ecological mechanism and key technologies, Juncao endophytes, and deep processing of Juncao.

The research institute will be led by Lin Zhanxi, the inventor of the Juncao technique, and other Juncao experts.

In addition, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University will integrate multiple disciplines such as biology, ecology, forestry, and agriculture engineering with related national innovation platforms to boost the development of Juncao.

The Juncao technique is a method that uses chopped grass as a substrate for growing edible and medicinal mushrooms. It is also used to feed livestock, and is a technique unique to China.