Mycorrhizae in Sagebrush Restoration: Mycorrhizal Dependency of Invasive and Native Grasses with Intraspecific and Interspecific Competition

Dara Scherpenisse, M.S. Candidate, Utah State University, darasusanne@cc.usu.edu

Gene Schupp

Seeding is often used in restoration of communities invaded by Bromus tectorum, but seeding alone is often not sufficient.  If the system is severely disturbed, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) populations may be diminished. AMF may be necessary for many native perennial species to establish and persist, especially in stressful environments. Benefits of AMF include increased nutrient uptake, drought tolerance and disease resistance. Decreased levels of AMF after fire may negatively affect establishment of desirable perennial species. This project will address how mycorrhizal inoculum may be used in B. tectorum disturbed systems and to determine how mycorrhizal inoculum might be used to improve growth and performance of native perennial grasses when competing with B. tectorum in the Great Basin.

• Objective 1 (Experiment 1):  Determine the response of Pseudoregeneria spicatum, Elymus elymoides, and B. tectorum to mycorrhizal symbiosis.
•  Objective 2 (Experiment 2):  Determine the role of mycorrhizal symbiosis in competition between P. spicatum, E. elymoides, and B. tectorum, and whether commercial inocula and locally cultured inocula have the same role.

Data from experiment 1 will be used to determine the appropriate soil phosphorous level, watering regime and response variables for experiment 2.  Experiment 2 data will provide preliminary information about whether restoration efforts should focus more resources on producing inoculum adapted to a particular site.