Utilizing N₂-Fixing Woody Plant Species for Distressed Soils and the Effect of Lime on Survival

Abstract

Distressed or drastically disturbed soils offer a hostile environment for plant growth, and revegetation is often very difficult. Site improvement and proper plant selection are necessary for satisfactory revegetation. The use of actinomycete-nodulated woody plants as a long-term N supplier for the plant community should be considered. The initial soil pH (2.8) of the mine test site was modified by adding 12.5, 25, and 39 t/ha lime (CaCO3). Only the high 39 t/ha addition maintained pH of 6.0 or above throughout the growing season. Elaeagnus umbellata, Alnus glutinosa, Robinia fertilis `Arnot,' and R. pseudoacacia survived well at all lime additions but did not survive if no lime was added. Caragana arborescens and Shepherdia argentea survived better at the highest lime concentration (39 t/ha).