Mycorrhizal fungi and trees - a successful reforestation alternative for mineland reclamation

Abstract

Successful consistent revegetation of drastically disturbed mine sites (in other words, acid coal spoils and mineral waste dumps) throughout the United States and several foreign countries has been achieved by using the biological "tools" - tree seedlings, native shrubs and grass species inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi. These trees and shrubs are custom-grown in bareroot and container nurseries with selected mycorrhizal fungi and grasses and forbs are inoculated in the field with pelletized spores of VAM fungi at the time of planting. On disturbed sites, specific mycorrhizae formed by Pisolithus tinctorius (Pt), Sclerodema spp. (Sc) or species of VAM fungi provide significant benefits to the plants through increased water and nutrient absorption, decreased toxic materials absorption, and overall plant stress reduction.

Parent Publication

• National proceedings: forest and conservation nursery associations-1999, 2000, and 2001

Citation

Cordell, C. E.; Mans, L. F.; Marx, D. H. 2002. Mycorrhizal fungi and trees - a successful reforestation alternative for mineland reclamation. In: Dumroese, R. K.; Riley, L. E.; Landis, T. D., technical coordinators. National proceedings: forest and conservation nursery associations-1999, 2000, and 2001. Proceedings RMRS-P-24. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 206-212