Field responses to added organic matter, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and fertilizer in reclamation of taconite iron ore tailing

Published source details Noyd R.K., Pfleger F.L. & Norland M.R. (1996) Field responses to added organic matter, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and fertilizer in reclamation of taconite iron ore tailing. Plant and Soil, 179, 89-97.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Inoculate soil with mycorrhiza before seeding/planting Action Link
	Add fertilizer to soil before or after seeding/planting Action Link

Inoculate soil with mycorrhiza before seeding/planting

A replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in 1992–1994 in a former mine in Minnesota, USA (Noyd et al. 1996) found that inoculating soil with mycorrhizal fungi before sowing seeds had mixed effects on plant cover. After two years, plant cover was higher in areas that were inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi and sown with seeds (36%) than in areas where seeds were sown but no mycorrhizal fungi were added (28%). However, after three years, plant cover was not significantly different in areas that were inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi and sown with seeds (50%) and areas where seeds were sown but no mycorrhizal fungi were added (37%). In May 1992, four blocks consisting of two 4 × 2.5 m plots were established. In each block, one 4 x 2.5 m plot was inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi by applying 2.5 g of Sorghum sudanense root material infected with fungi, and one plot was not inoculated. All plots were sown with a mixture of native plant species at a rate of 30.4 kg/ha. Plant cover was measured in all plots in August 1993 and 1994 using three 1-m wide transects.

(Summarised by: Philip Martin)
Add fertilizer to soil before or after seeding/planting

A replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in 1992–1994 in a former mine in Minnesota, USA (Noyd et al. 1996) found that adding fertilizer before sowing seeds had a mixed effect on plant cover depending on fertilizer type and time since treatment. After two to three years, plant cover was higher in plots where compost was spread and seeds were sown (40–73%) than in plots where seeds were sown without compost (12–14%). However, after two years, plant cover did not differ significantly between plots where ammonium phosphate fertilizer was added (34–35%) and plots where it was not added (27%). After three years, plant cover was higher in plots where ammonium phosphate fertilizer was added (50–52%) than in plots where fertilizer was not added (43%). In May 1992, four blocks were established. In each block, compost was spread in two plots at a rate of 22.4–44.8 tonnes/ha, ammonium phosphate fertilizer was applied in two plots at a rate of 224–448 kg/ha, and one plot was left unfertilized. All plots were sown with a mixture of native plant species at a rate of 30.4 kg/ha. Plant cover was measured in all plots in August 1993 and 1994 along three 1-m wide transects.

(Summarised by: Philip Martin)