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Title: Pisolithus tinctorius ectomycorrhizae enhance the survival and growth of Pinus taeda on a southern Appalachian coal spoil

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5528038

The significance of Pisolithus tinctorius ectomycorrhizae to the establishment and growth of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) on sites disturbed in surface-mining operations was studied. Nursery-grown seedlings infected with this fungal symbiont were outplanted on coal spoils in Tennessee. Treatments included seedlings infected with a mycelial inoculum of P. tinctorius and fertilized at the rate of 112/kg/ha NPK, control seedlings without P. tinctorius fertilized at an identical rate, seedlings infected with P. tinctorius but without fertilization, and control seedlings without P. tinctorius or fertilization. Seedlings infected with P. tinctorius survived better than control seedlings, but fertilization during the first growing season reduced survival irrespective of mycorrhizal treatment. Infection by P. tinctorius and fertilization resulted in the best seedling growth whereas unfertilized control seedlings exhibited the least growth. Unfertilized seedlings infected with P. tinctorius and fertilized control seedlings exhibited growth intermediate to that of the other treatments. Apparently, an ectomycorrhizal infection of loblolly pine by P. tinctorius can enhance survival and growth on these adverse sites and reduce the need for fertilization.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI ID:
5528038
Report Number(s):
CONF-8011130-1; ON: DE82004061
Resource Relation:
Conference: 1. biennial southern silvicultural research conference, Atlanta, GA, USA, 6 Nov 1980
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English