Mycorrhizal Fungi Associations With Four Salt Marsh Species
Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
1-1-2010
Department
Coastal Sciences, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
School
Ocean Science and Engineering
Abstract
The value of salt marshes in reducing wave energy, enhancing sedimentation, stabilizing sediment, providing fisheries habitat, and serving as a food source for wildlife is well documented and widely recognized. Restoration efforts often consist of whole plant harvesting from natural habitats. This imposes strong disturbances to the harvested areas, as well as plant availability being limited to the growing season. Deverlopment and evaluation of ecologically sound and cost-effective restoration methods using nursey-grown marsh grasses will advance the current state of restoration science and improve restoration effectiveness in estuarine and coastal habitats
The introduction of Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi may have the potential to increase nursery production and the health of the plants produced. VAM colonization may increase plant growth, improve water transport, increase resistance to pathogens, and mediate transplant shock of saltmarsh plants. VAM are also associated with enhanced plant survival in stressful environments including: water-stress, salinity stress, and low nutrient availability.
Saltmarsh species Juncus roemerianus, Spartina alterniflora, Schoenoplectus robustus, and Schoenoplectus americanus plants of various ages were inoculated with commercial mycorrhizal inoculant. Colonization rates were monitored and plant growth and health were assessed by morphological measurements. The effect of inoculant on morphological changes was also compared with the effects that the addition of fertilizer, and less saturated soil conditions had on plant growth and health.
These studies showed that species Juncus roemerianus and Schoenoplectus spp. are capable of acquiring VAM colonization, while Spartina alterniflora did not become colozined in mature or seedling stages. The effects of VAM on plant morphology varied between species and by the age of the plants and inoculation generally only had a measurable effect in seedling. Inoculation had significant effects on plant growth for Schoenoplectus spp., while the addition of fertilizer had more pronounced effects on growth
Publication Title
Handbook of Environmental Research
First Page
291
Last Page
320
Recommended Citation
Pratt-Zossoungbo, M.,
Biber, P. D.
(2010). Mycorrhizal Fungi Associations With Four Salt Marsh Species. Handbook of Environmental Research, 291-320.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/19699