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<br />Microbial Status Study -Final Report <br />INTRODUCTION <br />Certain beneficial soil microorganisms like mycorrhizal fungi enhance plant survival and <br />' establishment by promoting plant growth through enhanced nutrient uptake, increased rooting, <br />and better resistance to drought and disease under hazsh environmental conditions. Currently, <br />' plant materials utilized by Seneca II Mine aze inoculated with one of two types of mycorrhizal <br />fungi. The conifers and oaks aze inoculated with ectomycorrhizal fungi (the main vegetative <br />portion is external to the host plant) and the shrubs aze inoculated with VAMf's (Vesiculaz - <br />' Arbusculaz Mycorrhizal fungi), a subgroup of the endomycorrhizal fungi (the main vegetative <br />portion is internal to the host plant). The purpose of this project is to determine the effectiveness <br />' of the current mycorrhizal inoculation program and its influence on shrub survival on the site. <br />METHODS <br />Microbial sampling was conducted on October 4 & 5, 1995 at the Seneca lI Mine II site in <br />' Hayden, Colorado. Sites were located between S 22,000 - S 24,000 and E 14,000 - E 18,000, <br />and were all prepazed similazly by Peabody Western but were of different ages. Three species <br />' were transplanted on these three sites in the yeazs 1993, 1994, and 1995. The species were <br />Prunus virginiana (Chokecherry), Amelanchier alnifolia (Servicebetry), and Querc:~s gambelii <br />(Gambels Oak). Plant materials were collected by digging up the plugs and harvesting as much <br />of the root as possible. Roots were transported back to Bitterroot Restoration in coolers and <br />stored at 4°C (39°F) until analyzed for the presence of mycorrhizal fungi. <br />Mycorrhizal colonization was quantified in the oaks by noting the presence or absence of short <br />' roots and ectomycorrhizal hyphae under magnification (60x). VAM fungal colonization was <br />assessed following clearing and staining procedures as set forth in Phillips and Hayman (1970). <br />' Following the staining procedure, fifreen 0.5 to l.0 cm root segments were laid out on a <br />microscope slide and the presence or absence of fungal features (vesicles, arbuscules, or hyphae) <br />' was noted for each segment. The number of segments with features was then divided by the <br />1 <br /> <br />