Beneficial root fungi help salt marsh plants grow
Coastal salt marshes act as a connection between the land and ocean. They provide crucial services for humans and are important for the proper function of coastal food webs.
These environments allow coastlines to withstand severe weather and prevent erosion of coastal infrastructure. They also support marine life by supplying nutrients and nursery habitat for young fish, birds and crustaceans.
Unfortunately, these ecosystems face major threats from climate change and destruction by humans.
Read this open access paper on the FACETS website.
In Nova Scotia, Canada, salt marshes have been historically converted to cropland by installing dykes. Their proximity to the ocean has also made them targets for commercial development.
Salt marsh restoration efforts occur globally, but many projects fail. Our study addressed the problem of salt marsh plant growth and survival at restored sites.
We created an artificial salt marsh, subject to simulated tides and conditions, to test whether a naturally occurring root fungus of salt marsh grasses could improve plant growth and survival.
We found that saltmeadow cordgrass (Sporobolus pumilus, formerly called Spartina patens) grew best when grown from sections of subterranean stems (=rhizomes) compared to seeds. We also found the beneficial root fungus Funneliformis geosporum gave better plant growth and survival compared to clean soil and native salt marsh sediment treatments.
We conclude that saltmeadow cordgrass should be grown from rhizome pieces treated with F. geosporum to increase plant survival in salt marsh restoration. Our data will inform future salt marsh restoration projects in Atlantic Canada.
Read the paper — Inoculating rhizome-propagated Sporobolus pumilus with a native mycorrhizal fungus increases salt marsh plant growth and survival by Tyler W. d’Entremont, Juan C. López-Gutiérrez, and Allison K. Walker.
