EFFECTS OF TOPSOIL STORAGE DURING SURFACE MINING ON THE VIABILITY OF VA MYCORRHIZA

Abstract

Storing topsoil for 3 yr reduced substantially the levels of viable inocula relative to levels in adjacent, undisturbed prairie soils. The detrimental effect of storage on vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza was associated with the loss of viability of mycorrhizal fragments occurring in the stored soil. Data are presented supporting an interaction between infected root segments and roots of uninfected plants as a major means of spreading mycorrhiza in these soils.