| Abstract |
Green roofs are an innovative method of revitalizing urbanized areas and capturing stormwater. However, the conditions of a green roof ecosystem pose unique difficulties that can limit the success of plant growth. To help maximize the benefits of green roofs, we performed research examining the effects of mycorrhizal inoculation on the vitality of green roofs. The eventual goal is to use this information to create an optimum green roof, reflecting natural ecosystems by utilizing symbiotic organisms. This study aims to determine the most important factors that impact mycorrhizal colonization. We examined the effect of a commercial mycorrhizal fungal inoculum, and three substrate types, on mycorrhizal colonization of the plant species Liatris apera over the span of a year. The controlled experiment was set up using 36 plots at the Cleveland Industrial Innovation Center (CIIC). The substrate types included “Movable Meadow” (MM) with sandy loam soil, “Conventional Green Roof” (CGR) of engineered clay and shale media, and “Quasi-Traditional Green Roof” (QTR) which utilized worm castings. Half of the plots were inoculated with mycorrhizae and the other half uninoculated. Root samples of Liatris apera were collected, stained, and examined under the microscope to quantify mycorrhizal colonization. Preliminary results indicate that mycorrhizal colonization on average was lower in the inoculated treatment. However, it appears that this difference leveled out over time. These results suggest that mycorrhizal inoculation may not be necessary to promote colonization on green roofs. Additional research is being conducted to examine the effects of mycorrhizal inoculation on other plant species.
|
| Modified Abstract |
Green roofs are an innovative method of revitalizing urbanized areas and capturing stormwater. To help maximize the benefits of green roofs, we performed research examining the effects of mycorrhizal inoculation on green roof ecosystems. This study aims to determine the most important factors that impact mycorrhizal colonization. We examined the effect of a commercial mycorrhizal fungal inoculum, and three substrate types, on mycorrhizal colonization of the plant species Liatris apera over the span of a year. Root samples of Liatris apera were collected, stained, and examined under the microscope to quantify mycorrhizal colonization. Preliminary results indicate that mycorrhizal inoculation may not be necessary to promote colonization on green roofs. Additional research is being conducted to examine the effects of mycorrhizal inoculation on other plant species.
|
