Stenlund, Dwayne L.

The three objectives of this project were as follows: (1.) to survey the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi from the prairies, wetlands, and Mn/DOT experimental sites in anticipation of using data as indicators of the sites' health, (2.) to produce mycorrhizal inocula by different methods and (3.) to incorporate the inoculum into a Mn/DOT restoration site. This project was the first year of a three year study that seeks to define the variability in the mycorrhizal spores and other structures present in different ecosystems and determine if these fungi can be used as indicator species. All phases of the project were successful. The preliminary results suggest the mycorrhizal fungal spore numbers will be useful health indicators of restoration sites. General and single spore mycorrhizal inocula were generated using primarily native grasses and forbs as plant hosts. The general inoculum was then incorporated into a Mn/DOT experimental site. Future evaluations of this site will help to answer long-term questions regarding the possible benefits of amending disturbed roadway plantings or other prairie restorations with mycorrhizal inoculum.

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.