The present research intended to test three different ectomycorrhizal species and a consortium of the three-ectomycorrhizal fungi for the development of ectomycorrhizae on two forest tree species when growing in larger Styrofoam container (60/250ml) for greater seedling size with mycorrhizal root system.
Species under study
Plant species under study include Jackpine (Pinus banksiana) and White spruce (Picea glauca). While the ECM species to be tested were Hebeloma crustuliniforme, Laccaria bicolor and Suillus tomentosus. These species were recommended by our collaboration group for their rapid growth and overall salt tolerance, resistance to NaCl, and tolerance to the composite tailings release water. ECM species, grown as pure cultures on a liquid medium to produce mycelia slurry served as inoculants.
Experimental establishment
Suncor Energy, Fort McMurray Alberta was the location of the study site, referred to as Millennium dump (5) by the company. To confirm the benefits of pre-inoculation at the nursery, the trial is being monitored over the next four growing seasons to let plants grow sufficiently. The experimental plot was established using completely randomized block design with four replicate blocks .Each replicate block had plots 9 treatments (i.e the 3 ECM species in 4 combinations) with 4 replicates to give 36 experimental units with 30 seedlings.
Suncor Energy, Fort McMurray Alberta was the location of the study site, referred to as Millennium dump (5) by the company. To confirm the benefits of pre-inoculation at the nursery, the trial is being monitored over the next four growing seasons to let plants grow sufficiently. The experimental plot was established using completely randomized block design with four replicate blocks .Each replicate block had plots 9 treatments (i.e the 3 ECM species in 4 combinations) with 4 replicates to give 36 experimental units with 30 seedlings.
Figure 1. Diagrammatic representation of experimental establishment
Data collection
Data was collected in the form of growth parameters such as height, root collar diameter, and dry weights every following year in September. Non-destructive data was converted into estimated seedling volume and plot volume index (PVI) as described by Marx et al., 1991.
Plot volume Index= (root collar diameter)2 X plant height X number of surviving seedlings.
The predictor variable in this dataset are the plant species and ECM species. They are categorical variables and were simply observed. While the response variables are the plant height and plot volume index that was manipulated.
Plot volume Index= (root collar diameter)2 X plant height X number of surviving seedlings.
The predictor variable in this dataset are the plant species and ECM species. They are categorical variables and were simply observed. While the response variables are the plant height and plot volume index that was manipulated.
Table 1: Sample of factorial data table after correction of dataset to respective units.
Disclaimer: This is a class exercise based on randomly modified datasets