Mycorrhizal associations of plants in the Eastern Goldfields

Summary

Mycorrhizal fungi in undisturbed ecosystems in the Eastern Goldfields region were studied in this project to better understand their role and importance to the revegetation of disturbed mine soils.

Their symbiosis on plant roots results in increased nutrient uptake with benefits for the plant such as phosphorus uptake, which are lost if topsoil stripping and stockpiling reduce fungi populations.

This study supported additional research that investigated response of native plants to inoculated mycorrhizal fungi.

Project coordinated by the Australian Mineral Industries Research Association (AMlRA) Project P430.

Keywords: fungi, mycorrhizae, rehabilitation, phosphorus uptake