EFFECT OF MYCORRHIZAE INOCULATION ON THE GROWTH AND SUCCESS OF THREE TAXODIUM DISTICHUM HYBRIDS IN SALINE - IMPACTED COASTAL SOILS

<p>In 2008, Galveston Island was severely impacted by Hurricane Ike, resulting in high salt deposition in the soil and groundwater. This caused a loss of many native plant species. A study was initiated to determine effective ways to promote the growth conditions of three bald cypress genotypes (<em>Taxodium distichum</em> var <em>distichum</em> and <em>Taxodium distichum</em> var <em>mexicanum </em>crosses) in salt-affected soils. The treatments applied were mycorrhizae inoculation, fertilizer application, and a combination of mycorrhizae inoculation and fertilizer application. A total of sixty (60) trees planted in plots of three rows and divided into five randomized replication blocks of four treatments each were used. Plants were measured for total height and diameter at breast height (DBH), and tree leaf nutrient concentration over the 2021 growing season. The effect of these treatments on soil health was determined by measuring the soil microbial functional diversity and soil respiration. </p> <p>None of the three treatments had a significant effect on height, diameter breast height, leaf nutrient concentration, soil microbial functional diversity, or soil respiration. This could be because of the limited spacing between the trees and the age of the trees. However, treatment with mycorrhizae alone and a combination of mycorrhizae and fertilizer showed the potential to improve the tree height and the DBH.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science - Environmental Sciences

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Environmental Science

Year dc:date.available

2022

Author dc:creator

• ilhan, Elif

Contributors dc:contributor

• Stephen Wagner
• Kenneth Farrish
• Carmen Montana-Schalk

• Mycorrhizae
• fertilizer
• salinity
• Taxodium
• Agriculture
• Biology
• Environmental Microbiology and Microbial Ecology
• Microbiology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/438

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.sfasu.edu:etds-1480