Determining the effects of biochar and an arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculant on the growth of fowl mannagrass (Glyceria striata) (Poaceae)
Biochar is gaining attention as an organic soil amendment that can increase plant yields and improve soil fertility. We studied the effect of biochar on the growth of fowl mannagrass (Glyceria striata (Lam.) Hitchc.) (Poaceae), propagated in a greenhouse for future re-introduction into restored wetl...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Canadian Science Publishing
2018-04-01
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| Series: | FACETS |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.facetsjournal.com/doi/10.1139/facets-2017-0066 |
| _version_ | 1811203219188088832 |
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| author | Sadie Moland Brent M. Robicheau Robin Browne Ruth Newell Allison K. Walker |
| author_facet | Sadie Moland Brent M. Robicheau Robin Browne Ruth Newell Allison K. Walker |
| author_sort | Sadie Moland |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Biochar is gaining attention as an organic soil amendment that can increase plant yields and improve soil fertility. We studied the effect of biochar on the growth of fowl mannagrass (Glyceria striata (Lam.) Hitchc.) (Poaceae), propagated in a greenhouse for future re-introduction into restored wetlands. Three different application rates (10%, 50%, and 75% biochar volume/substrate volume (v/v)) of nutrient-charged (i.e., nutrients added) and uncharged biochar were tested with and without a commercial arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) inoculant. Aboveground biomass (shoot mass), belowground biomass (root mass), and shoot height of 166 G. striata samples were recorded after 92 d of growth. Using generalized linear models our data indicated a 50% (v/v) application rate of nutrient-charged biochar without AMF produces a significantly greater growth response (4.4× greater shoot height and 85× greater shoot mass compared with 0% biochar (AMF negative) control). We propose that the increased G. striata growth may be due to changes in pH, and (or) increased nutrient availability due to the addition of biochar. We recommend an application rate of 50% biochar (v/v) charged with nutrients as an advantageous amendment for propagating G. striata. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T02:52:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a8ca63a243b1422bbf3dc435fb24a655 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2371-1671 2371-1671 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T02:52:04Z |
| publishDate | 2018-04-01 |
| publisher | Canadian Science Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | FACETS |
| spelling | doaj.art-a8ca63a243b1422bbf3dc435fb24a6552022-12-22T03:50:57ZengCanadian Science PublishingFACETS2371-16712371-16712018-04-01344145410.1139/facets-2017-0066Determining the effects of biochar and an arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculant on the growth of fowl mannagrass (Glyceria striata) (Poaceae)Sadie Moland0Brent M. Robicheau1Robin Browne2Ruth Newell3Allison K. Walker4Department of Biology, Acadia University, 33 Westwood Avenue, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada.Department of Biology, Acadia University, 33 Westwood Avenue, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada.K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre, Acadia University, 32 University Avenue, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada.Department of Biology, Acadia University, 33 Westwood Avenue, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada.Department of Biology, Acadia University, 33 Westwood Avenue, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada.Biochar is gaining attention as an organic soil amendment that can increase plant yields and improve soil fertility. We studied the effect of biochar on the growth of fowl mannagrass (Glyceria striata (Lam.) Hitchc.) (Poaceae), propagated in a greenhouse for future re-introduction into restored wetlands. Three different application rates (10%, 50%, and 75% biochar volume/substrate volume (v/v)) of nutrient-charged (i.e., nutrients added) and uncharged biochar were tested with and without a commercial arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) inoculant. Aboveground biomass (shoot mass), belowground biomass (root mass), and shoot height of 166 G. striata samples were recorded after 92 d of growth. Using generalized linear models our data indicated a 50% (v/v) application rate of nutrient-charged biochar without AMF produces a significantly greater growth response (4.4× greater shoot height and 85× greater shoot mass compared with 0% biochar (AMF negative) control). We propose that the increased G. striata growth may be due to changes in pH, and (or) increased nutrient availability due to the addition of biochar. We recommend an application rate of 50% biochar (v/v) charged with nutrients as an advantageous amendment for propagating G. striata.http://www.facetsjournal.com/doi/10.1139/facets-2017-0066arbuscular mycorrhizal fungibiochar |
| spellingShingle | Sadie Moland Brent M. Robicheau Robin Browne Ruth Newell Allison K. Walker Determining the effects of biochar and an arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculant on the growth of fowl mannagrass (Glyceria striata) (Poaceae) FACETS arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi biochar |
| title | Determining the effects of biochar and an arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculant on the growth of fowl mannagrass (Glyceria striata) (Poaceae) |
| title_full | Determining the effects of biochar and an arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculant on the growth of fowl mannagrass (Glyceria striata) (Poaceae) |
| title_fullStr | Determining the effects of biochar and an arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculant on the growth of fowl mannagrass (Glyceria striata) (Poaceae) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Determining the effects of biochar and an arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculant on the growth of fowl mannagrass (Glyceria striata) (Poaceae) |
| title_short | Determining the effects of biochar and an arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculant on the growth of fowl mannagrass (Glyceria striata) (Poaceae) |
| title_sort | determining the effects of biochar and an arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculant on the growth of fowl mannagrass glyceria striata poaceae |
| topic | arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi biochar |
| url | http://www.facetsjournal.com/doi/10.1139/facets-2017-0066 |
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