Evaluation of microbial populations, Rhizobium Trifolii, and endomycorrhizal associations in reclamation of surface mine spoils in Texas

Thesis/Dissertation · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:5777770

Mott, J B

The deficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus in mixed overburden mine spoils has resulted in interest in strategies to minimize fertilizer application. In this study, the abundance of microbial populations, with emphasis on those involved in nitrogen cycle transformations was estimated in variously aged spoils. Two beneficial plant-microbe associations, the clover-Rhizobium trifolii symbiosis and endomycorrhizal associations, were investigated in field and laboratory studies. While most groups of microorganisms regained pre-mining levels in revegetated spoils within 1.5 years after disturbance, algal populations were still reduced ten years after mining. Populations of nitrifying bacteria and asymbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria were as high in all spoils as in unmined soil. Indigenous populations of ineffective R. trifolii were present in spoil banks and older revegetated spoil. A laboratory study of survival of three commercial strains of R. trifolii for subterranean clover showed lethal effects of high temperature (45/sup 0/C) especially in moist spoil, and superior survival of strain 162X95. Endomycorrhizal associations, evaluated by assessment of root infection in bermudagrass, reached pre-mining levels by three to seven years after disturbance. Growth chamber studies to investigate the effects of the two symbiotic associations on subterranean clover in mine spoil at different fertility levels indicated that dual infection with Rhizobium and VAM fungi was most beneficial for plant growth, nitrogen fixation, and nitrogen and phosphorus contents.

• OSTI ID: 5777770
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

510500 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
550700* -- Microbiology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BIOLOGY
FEDERAL REGION VI
FUNGI
LAND RECLAMATION
MINING
MYCORRHIZAS
NITROGEN CYCLE
NITROGEN FIXATION
NORTH AMERICA
OVERBURDEN
PLANTS
RHIZOPUS
SPOIL BANKS
SURFACE MINING
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
TEXAS
USA