Study

Mycorrhizal inoculation of big sacaton: implications for grassland restoration of abandoned agricultural fields

  • Published source details Richter B.S. & Stutz J.C. (2002) Mycorrhizal inoculation of big sacaton: implications for grassland restoration of abandoned agricultural fields. Restoration Ecology, 10, 607-616.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Inoculate soil with mycorrhiza before seeding/planting

Action Link
Grassland Conservation
  1. Inoculate soil with mycorrhiza before seeding/planting

    A replicated, controlled study in 1998–1999 in a greenhouse and a former arable field in Arizona, USA (Richter & Stutz 2002) found that adding mycorrhizal fungi to soil before seeding did not alter the biomass or emergence success of giant sacaton Sporobolus wrightii plants, although after one year plants with added mycorrhiza were taller. Eight weeks after seeding in a greenhouse, emergence and biomass did not differ significantly between seeds sown in soil with added mycorrhiza (emergence: 71%; biomass: 0.44 g) and those sown in untreated soil (emergence: 62%; biomass: 0.46 g). Twelve months after the plants were transplanted to a field, those with added mycorrhiza were taller (79–85 cm) than those grown in untreated soil (63–79 cm). Survival of plants grown in soil with added mycorrhizal fungi was 90–100% compared to 82–95% for plants grown in untreated soil, although these results were not tested for statistical difference. Plants were grown in pots filled with heat-treated soil. Mycorrhizal fungi from local soil was added to the soil in 105 pots, while 105 pots were left untreated. Pots were sown with either three or ten seeds and watered regularly. Emergence was monitored weekly for eight weeks. Plants were transplanted into a former arable field in July 1998 and measured after 2, 4, 10 and 12 months.

    (Summarised by: Philip Martin)

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