Germination, Growth and Rhizosphere Effect of Setaria viridis Grown in Iron Mine Tailings

Abstract

The tolerance of Setaria viridis (S. viridis) in iron mine tailings was investigated in greenhouse by pot experiment. S. viridis seeds collected from iron mine tailings was sown in pots containing iron mine tailings (0% vermicompost, as control) or mixture of various cow manure vermicompost with iron mine tailings, such as 10%, 20%, and 30%(volume ratio of vermicompost to mixture). The emergency of S. viridis in various substrates of iron mine tailings was significantly different and the sequence of emergency rate of seeds was control, 10% >20% >30%. Vermicompost inhibited seeds emergency from iron mine tailings. While it stimulated survival rate, plant height, root length and fresh and dry matter accumulation of shoot of S. viridis especially at level of 20% vermicompost. At the same time plant growth stimulated microbial thrive in iron mine tailings such as bacteria, fungi, and actinomyces. Typically, the bacteria populations in three iron mine tailings with vermicompost were significantly more than that of in control. So did the actinomyces population. Bacteria and actinomyces are benefit for plant growth. The fertility of iron mine tailings was improved by plant growth especially available P. It can be concluded that Setaria viridis could germinate, grow, and establish in iron mine tailings and vermicompost application could stimulation the growth and establishment in iron mine tailings which meant it can be a pioneer plant in restoration of iron mine tailings.