XVI International Botanical Congess

Restoration of prairies has become widespread with recognition of their ecological and esthetic benefits. Application of fertilizer and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) amendments have been proposed to enhance growth of native plants at problem sites. The effects of fertilizer and AMF amendments were analyzed to determine their ability in promoting native revegetation. Three fertilizer treatments and 4 AMF treatments were incorporated into a prairie restoration. Strips of treatment plot vegetation were harvested, counted by species, dried, and weighted. The data demonstrated that slow-release fertilizer enhanced biomass. Yet, diversity was lower in slow-release fertilizer plots due to fewer native grasses. Inorganic fertilizer treatments data also showed a trend towards reduced diversity. Mycorrhizal treatments did not have significant effects.