Date of Completion

5-7-2021

Degree Type

Honors Thesis

Discipline

Environmental Science (ENVS)

Abstract

Planting of native species is a key part of ecological restoration, although the encroachment of invasive species and obstacles to seed germination can limit the success of revegetation efforts. The use of indigenous Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) have been shown to increase the long-term height and diameter of native plants and increase soil fertility in certain studies. Inoculation of seeds with native PGPR have also been shown to increase seed germination. In this study, the effect of different inoculation treatments on different plants native to southern California was studied at two sites in the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve (BWER). Before planting, non-native plants and seeds were removed through hand-pulling and raking at both sites. Seeds from the species Frankenia salina and Cressa truxillensis were separated into four treatments: control, PGPR inoculated, AMF inoculated, and co-inoculated, then planted and monitored for germination over the course of two months. The plant Eriogonum parvifolium was grown in AMF inoculated soil then transplanted into field conditions and separated into two treatments: AMF inoculated and co-inoculated, and monitored for longest stem length (cm) over two months. Results of this study suggest no substantial differences in short-term growth for E. parvifolium based on the use of inoculants. Initial germination results for C. truxillensis and F. salina were too soon to determine success. However, both studies will continue, with additional data incorporated into research results.

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