Use of Mycorrhizal Inoculum as a Soil Amendment During Prairie Restoration

First identified in 1840, mycorrhizae are symbiotic fungi found associated with the roots of a wide variety of plant species. Their role in the symbiotic partnership is providing a fine hyphal network capable of extending the range of root hairs (Allen, M.F. 1991). Decades of work with mycorrhizae associated with trees (ectomycorrhizae) revealed that most species of trees were obligatorily mycorrhizal (need mycorrhizae for survival) (Allen, M.F. 1991). Consequently, ectomycorrhizal inoculum has been commonly used during forestry plantings to enhance tree growth. Within the last 20 to 30 years, mycorrhizal associations (endomycorrhizae) have been found with many native prairie species (Table 1). These later findings open up the possibility that mycorrhizal inoculum could be used to aid the growth of prairie plant species. Experiments have shown that mycorrhizae enhance growth and fitness of native prairie plants . The benefits of mycorrhizal soil amendment could be used in restoring native prairies. As of yet, only small research trials using mycorrhizae have been done at prairie sites. This technique is therefore still relatively new. However, the success of trials done both in prairie restoration and other restoration fields is impressive and appears promising.