Enhancement of Germination and Growth of Slickspot Peppergrass in a New Medium with Two Compost Organic Fractions

Abstract

Slickspot peppergrass (Lepidium papilliferum) is an herbaceous biennal or possibly perennial “rare” endemic plant of the southwestern Idaho high desert listed as a threatened species. This plant establishes perennial seed banks, with seeds remaining dormant and viable for several years. This study aimed to enhance the germination and early growth of this plant by adopting a new medium, a nutrient-enriched agar solution, also added with humic acid (HA) and water-extractable organic matter (WEOM) fractions isolated from a green compost (GC) and a mixed compost (MC). The germination percentage of slickspot peppergrass in this new medium was much greater than that obtained in previous studies. Further, the addition of GC-HA in the medium enhanced significantly the germination and early growth of this plant. The addition of GC-WEOM and MC-WEOM were beneficial only on plant growth for at least 7 months.