Establishment and Survival of Different Legume and Grass Species and Cultivars at a Limestone Quarry in Greece

Abstract

The establishment and survival of different legume and grass species and cultivars under various mulching practices at a limestone quarry was studied. The mulching treatments applied were: a) bare soil, b) bentonite, c) bentonite-straw, and d) asphalt-straw. Significant differences were found among species and cultivars, growing on different treatments, as far as plant growth and survival were concerned. Seed germination was higher on bentonite-straw and asphalt-straw than on bentonite but plants' survival at the end of the growing season was higher on bentonite. Among the legume species Trifolium repens and among the grass species Lolium perenne had better establishment than the other species tested at all treatments, as they had a higher seed germination rate-30.2% and 29.2%, respectively. However, at the end of the growing season Lotus corniculatus, Agropyron desertorum, and particular cultivars of Trifolium subteranneum, and Dactylis glomerata had a higher survival rate than the other species. The aforementioned species are characterized by drought resistance and it seems that they could be used for the restoration of limestone quarries, especially in semi-arid areas, where revegetation is obstructed mainly due to lack of water.

Seed germination and seedling vigour of italian ryegrass, cocksfoot and timothy following harvest and storage

“…In the Western Balkans (south-east urope) cocksfoot performs well in the 50:50 mixtures with alfalfa (LAZAREVI et al, 2006) or under sheep grazing (HAVRANEK et al, 2000). This species can be also used in revegetation of limestone quarries in semi-arid regions (ABRAHAM et al, 2009). Timothy is native to Europe and temperate Asia, but it has been introduced to most temperate areas, cultivated as a hay and pasture grass.…”

The importance of edaphic niches and spontaneous vegetation for the phytomanagement of mine tailings under semiarid climate

“…Several plant families present at Mercader and Agustin tailings have been described by previous authors such as the main contributors to pioneer vegetation in polluted ecosystems. For instance, Gramineae plant species have been long considered as ideal candidates to conduct phytostabilisation works in metalliferous soils due to their good adaptive characteristics and relatively low metal(loid) transfer from roots to shoots (Prasad, 2006;Abraham et al, 2009). At Agustin and Mercader tailings, two species belonging to this family ( Chenopodiaceae plant species, such as Atriplex sp.…”