Use of On-Site Mycorrhizal Inoculum for Plant Establishment on Abandoned Mined Lands

摘要

Natural vegetation succession on abandoned coal-mined lands does not provide sufficient plant cover to control soil erosion in the short term. Soil inoculum of mycorrhizal fungi from an adjacent undisturbed area was used to inoculate balsam poplar cuttings and alder seedlings to improve plant growth. An initial survey of mycorrhizal fungi in soils was conducted to determine the existing levels of mycorrhizal infection on native and disturbed soils. Four experiments were implemented to determine (1) fertilizer and mycorrhizal effects, (2) effects of successional stage of inoculum source, (3) effects of nitrogen sources in conjunction with mycorrhizae, and (4) the combinations of microsites, fertilizer, and mycorrhizae needed to establish vegetation on a steep slope. Measurements included plant heights, twig lengths, basal diameters, twig diameters, root system size, leaf nutrient concentrations, and mycorrhizal infection levels. Soil-borne inoculum improved the growth of balsam poplar cuttings and alder seedlings over this 2-yr period. Successional stage of the vegetation community where the soil inoculum was obtained affected different plant species differently.