The effect of Frankia and Paxillus involutus on the performance of Alnus incana subsp. rugosa in mine tailings

• DOI: 10.1139/b05-108
• Publication Date: 2006-04-03T19:55:27Z
• Authors: John H. Markham
• Keywords: Paxillus involutus; Frankia

The purpose of this study was to determine whether symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi act synergistically improve plant performance when grown on heavy metal mine tailings. Seedlings were inoculated with Frankia, Paxillus involutus (Batsch) Fr., or a combination both in 100% peat, 1:1 mix peat tailings, tailings for 20 weeks. Mortality plants pure (15.0%) peat–tailings (17.9%) significantly greater than mortality (3.5%). rate nodulation mycorrhizae formation decreased from 90.0% 66.7%, respectively, the 11.9% 2.6% Frankia-inoculated showed twice (38.5%) any other inoculation treatment. Plants media containing had root/shoot ratios peat. Inoculating presence either Frankia (or) P. increased root thickness. symbionts colonization rates shoot yield media, suggesting that these performance. However, inoculating relative growth early part experiment not fixing nitrogen, which, coupled higher effect, suggests nodule development is stress plants. It may be advisable have fully functioning nodules before transplanting if they are used revegetation programs.