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This project sought to examine whether it was possible to re-introduce naturally occurring soil fungi called vesicular arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizae back into disturbed soils as part of a normal seeding operation for restoring a prairie. The project consisted of three phases; 1) a survey to determine the types of VA mycorrhizae occurring in different soils and vegetation types (i.e. general roadside, prairie remnant, prairie planting); 2) collect from the wild and then grow prairie VA mycorrhizae species in a greenhouse at the University of Minnesota; 3) install the VA mycorrhizae along with seed from a conventional native seed drill and monitor whether the cultured VA mycorrhizae formed mycotrophic associations with prairie species in the field. This project was a preliminary feasibility study and was not intended to answer long term questions regarding the possible benefits VA mycorrhizae may confer to roadside plantings or other prairie restorations. All phases of the project were successful. The survey indicated that differences in VA mycorrhizae composition exist between different sites. It is possible to produce VA mycorrhizae in a greenhouse by culturing on living plant hosts. The VA mycorrhizae produced was successfully installed along with seed into field plots and did form mycotrophic associations with newly planted prairie species. Preliminary results obtained from this project indicate that further investigation is warranted.

This preliminary study focused on a) surveying the concentrations of sodium and other metals along the rights-of-way of several of the most heavily traveled and salted roadways, b) development of a selection and screening method for salt tolerance in 6 species of native warm season grasses, and c) establishment of outdoor garden plots and field sites to further test the ability of native warm season grasses to grow under highly saline conditions. Salt levels along roadways were found to vary from very low to very high concentrations during the winter months but were found to decrease to levels that probably will allow germination and growth of tolerant grasses. Two species of grasses, blue grama and buffalo grass, were found to be tolerant of saline environments. Two roadside prairie restoration sites were established to further test the ability of mixtures of grasses to tolerate highly saline soils.