VAM inoculum is a common specification for large-scale plant production contracts throughout the United States. Currently, VAM inoculation is required for the production of native plant materials in revegetation efforts associated with fire rehabilitation, mine reclamation, conservation plantings, contaminated site cleanup, and other activities. These activities represent a continuous expenditure of public and private funds worth several million dollars annually. A major problem in the revegetation industry is the inability of container growers to produce plants colonized by VAM. Despite the commercialization of VAM inoculum by the biotechnical industry, actual colonization of plants using standard nursery practices has provided consistently low colonization rates. Bitterroot Restoration, Inc. proposes to develop a growth medium product that promotes VAM colonization under standard plant production conditions. Our project will evaluate the influence of alternative growth media components on VAM colonization rates. A series of greenhouse studies will be conducted which systematically contrast VAM colonization rates with recently developed and existing growth media, amendments, and fertilizer types.
Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications of Research: Our research will result in a growth medium that integrates VAM inoculum successfully into nursery operations and thereby, enhances the biotechnical industry, increases success rates of revegetation projects, and lowers the cost of projects. Economically, the ability to produce VAM plant materials under nursery conditions will increase the competitive ability and profitability of nurseries through production of a value-added product while decreasing plant material costs of consumers as a result of increased outplanting survival rates. Ecologically, VAM-colonized plants could rest in more complete soil ecosystem restoration with more stable and productive community functioning.
