Soil microbial diversity as affected by the rhizosphere of the hyperaccumulator Thlaspi caerulescens under natural conditions

It is hypothesized that metal hyperaccumulator plants have specific rhizosphere conditions, potentially modifying the bioavailability of soil metals. This article aims to further the knowledge about the rhizosphere of the hyperaccumulator Thlaspi caerulescens, focusing on its microflora isolated from metalliferous soils collected in situ where the plants grow naturally. We characterized the cultivable microbial communities isolated from the rhizosphere of one population of this Ni hyperaccumulator species grown on a serpentine soil. The rhizosphere soil harbored a wide variety of microorganisms, predominantly bacteria, confirming the stimulatory effect of the T. caerulescens rhizosphere on microbial growth and proliferation. We tested the hypothesis that the rhizosphere of T. caerulescens influences (1) the metabolic diversity of the bacterial community and (2) the bacterial resistance to metals. The principal component analysis of the Biolog plate's data confirmed a structural effect of the rhizosphere of T. caerulescens on bacterial communities. The percentage of Ni-resistant bacteria was higher in the rhizosphere than in the bulk soil, suggesting a direct effect of the rhizosphere on Ni tolerance, reflecting a greater bacterial tolerance to Ni in the rhizosphere.     

Micro-organisms in the rhizosphere of plants inoculated withAzotobacter chroococcum

Summary The hypothesis that inoculation withAzotobacter chroococcum affects the growth of plants indirectly through changing the rhizosphere microflora was investigated. Inoculated and uninoculated wheat and tomato plants were grown in the glasshouse in two different soils, and total bacteria, chitinolytic bacteria, actinomycetes, glucosefermenting bacteria, aerobic cellulose-decomposing bacteria, and anaerobes were determined in intervals in the rhizosphere and in the soil. Root-surface fungi were studied using the Harley and Waid's root-washing technique¹⁰. Azotobacter became established in the rhizosphere of wheat and tomato plants and stimulated their growth. All the bacterial groups examined were more abundant in the rhizosphere than in the soil. Inoculation with Azotobacter delayed the colonization of roots by bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi in the rhizosphere, but had no effect on other organisms. Inoculation did not affect the dominant root-surface fungi, and minor changes were not consistent.Part of a thesis accepted by the University of London for the degree of Ph.D. in Microbiology.     

Respiration and microflora of the rhizosphere soil of wheat influenced by foliar application of urea

The numbers of micromycetes and bacteria were investigated with respect to oxygen consumption in the rhizosphere soil of wheat and in non-rhizosphere soil. Plants after foliar application of urea (2 % solution) and non-treated plants were cultivated in degraded chernozem and garden soil in a green-house. Changes in oxygen consumption by the suspensions of rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils corresponded to changes in the number of bacteria designated as the rhizosphere effect (R/S). Values of R/S depended on the presence of organic substrates. Changes in oxygen consumption by the soil suspension from the rhizosphere of wheat occurring due to foliar application of urea corresponded to changes in the amount of microflora. The results obtained are discussed with respect to a possible utilization of the data to follow metabolic activity of soils in a natural environment (in situ) determined according to oxygen consumption by a soil suspension, and to assess changes in the microflora of rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil.     

Analysis of populations and physiological characterization of microorganisms in rhizospheres of plants with antagonistic properties to phytopathogenic nematodes

Populations of rhizosphere microflora of plants which have demonstrated an antagonism toward phytopathogenic nematodes, including velvet bean (Mucuna deeringiana), castor bean (Ricinus communis), sword bean (Cannavalia ensiformis), and Abruzzi rye (Secale cereale)., were compared to the rhizosphere microflora of soybean. Population densities of total bacteria were significantly lower for young Abruzzi rye, mature velvet bean, and mature castor bean, and fungi from mature velvet bean than for soybean. Population densities of spore-forming bacilli were significantly higher for Abruzzi rye than for soybean. Population densities of coryneform bacteria for mature sword bean and velvet bean were significantly higher than for soybean. All seedling test poants supported significantly higher population densities of chitinolytic fungi than soybean. On mature plants, chitinolytic bacteria were significantly higher on all test plants except velvet bean. Populations of endophytic root bacteria for three of the four test plants were significantly higher than for soybean. Fifty randomly, selected bacterial strains from seedlings and mature plants of soybean and each test plant were characterized for various physiological traits associated with rhizosphere competence, including chitinolytic activity, gelatin hydrolysis, production of hydrogen cyanide, starch hydrolysis, phenol oxidation, siderophore production, and production of antifungal compounds (inhibition ofPythium ultimum and/orRhizoctonia solani). There was a strong trend to increased frequency in each of the physiological tests with bacteria from test plants in comparison to those from soybean. The frequency of starch hydrolysis was up to 24 times greater for strains from test plants than for soybean strains, and siderophore production was up to 22 times more frequent for test plants. These results demonstrate that, compared to soybean, plants with properties antagonistic to phytopathogenic nematodes have a distinct rhizosphere microflora.     

Soil microflora of the rhizosphere of plants from several habitats in the botanical garden in Poznań.

The abundance and activity of certain groups of soil microorganisms were estimated in the rhizosphere of 13 plants from four different habitats at several dates. An additional study was made of the rhizosphere microflora of Ledum palustre from a peat-bog. Numbers of proteolytic, nitrate assimilating, denitrifying, and cellulolytic bacteria were estimated. The intensity of ammonification, nitrification and Clostridium growth was estimated. The studies have revealed that the abundance and the activity of all the groups of bacteria studied depended on the habitat. Within one habitat, however, the influence of the plant was sometimes more pronounced than that of the habitat itself, particularly on the abundance of proteolytic bacteria (Fig. 1). The date of sampling had very little effect on the abundance of all the bacterial groups studied except the cellulolytic bacteria.     

Leaf litter quality and decomposition rates of yellow birch and sugar maple seedlings grown in mono-culture and mixed-culture pots at three soil fertility levels

Seedlings of yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) were grown for 2 years in mono-culture and mixed-culture and at three fertility levels. Following the second growing season, senescent leaves were analysed for N concentration, acid hydrolysable substances (AHS), and nonhydrolysable remains (NHR). A litter sub-sample was then inoculated with indigenous soil microflora, incubated 14 weeks, and mass loss was measured. Litter-N was significantly higher at medium than at poor fertility, as well as in yellow birch than in sugar maple litter. The species effect on litter-N increased with increasing fertility. At medium fertility, litter-N of sugar maple litter was lower in mixed-culture than in mono-culture. AHS, NHR as well the NHR/N ratio were significantly higher in yellow birch than in sugar maple litter. At medium fertility, the NHR/N ratio of sugar maple litter was significantly lower in mono-culture than in mixed-culture. Mass loss was significantly greater at medium and rich fertility than at poor fertility, and in yellow birch than in sugar maple litter. At poor fertility, mixed-litter decomposed at a rate comparable to yellow birch, whereas at medium and rich fertility, mixed-litter decomposed at a rate comparable to sugar maple. There was a significant positive relationship between litter-N and mass loss. A similar positive relationship between NHR and mass loss was presumed to be a species effect on decomposition. Results support the hypothesis that species × fertility and species × mixture interactions can be important determinants of litter quality and, by implication, of site nutrient cycling.     

Patterns of rhizosphere carbon flux in sugar maple (Acer saccharum) and yellow birch (Betula allegheniensis) saplings

Despite its importance in the terrestrial C cycle rhizosphere carbon flux (RCF) has rarely been measured for intact root–soil systems. We measured RCF for 8‐year‐old saplings of sugar maple (Acer saccharum) and yellow birch (Betula allegheniensis) collected from the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (HBEF), NH and transplanted into pots with native soil horizons intact. Five saplings of each species were pulse labeled with ¹³CO₂ at ambient CO₂ concentrations for 4–6 h, and the ¹³C label was chased through rhizosphere and bulk soil pools in organic and mineral horizons for 7 days. We hypothesized yellow birch roots would supply more labile C to the rhizosphere than sugar maple roots based on the presumed greater C requirements of ectomycorrhizal roots. We observed appearance of the label in rhizosphere soil of both species within the first 24 h, and a striking difference between species in the timing of ¹³C release to soil. In sugar maple, peak concentration of the label appeared 1 day after labeling and declined over time whereas in birch the label increased in concentration over the 7‐day chase period. The sum of root and rhizomicrobial respiration in the pots was 19% and 26% of total soil respiration in sugar maple and yellow birch, respectively. Our estimate of the total amount of RCF released by roots was 6.9–7.1% of assimilated C in sugar maple and 11.2–13.0% of assimilated C in yellow birch. These fluxes extrapolate to 55–57 and 90–104 g C m^?2 yr^?1 from sugar maple and yellow birch roots, respectively. These results suggest RCF from both arbuscular mycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal roots represents a substantial flux of C to soil in northern hardwood forests with important implications for soil microbial activity, nutrient availability and C storage.     

Biochemical weathering of calcium-bearing minerals by rhizosphere micro-organisms,and its influence on calcium accumulation in trees

Summary The rhizosphere microflora of redcedar was found to have a higher percentage of calcium silicate-solubilizing rhizosphere bacteria than the rhizosphere microflora of white pine of similar age growing in the same locality under identical conditions. Though the species composition of the silicatesolubilizing microbial population varied considerably from winter to spring, the redcedar roots had more silicate-solubilizers than the white pine roots inboth seasons. Since redcedar is known to have a higher calcium content than white pine, these results indicate that calcium accumulation by redcedar and white pine is strongly influenced by the rate at which calcium is released from soil minerals by the weathering action of the trees' rhizosphere micro-organisms. A symbiotic relationship between the trees and the microflora is suggested.     

模拟咸水入侵对崇明岛河岸带根际土壤微生物及反硝化作用的影响

通过模拟咸水入侵,研究了其对崇明岛河岸带根际土壤微生物及其反硝化过程的影响.结果表明:模拟咸水入侵后4种不同植被型河岸带土壤根际微生物区系发生显著变化,除放线菌菌群数量稍有增加外,细菌、真菌以及硝化和反硝化细菌数量均出现不同程度下降,特别是反硝化功能细菌数量较对照平均下降51.8％,说明河岸带土壤不同微生物区系对咸水入侵的响应存在显著差异.模拟咸水入侵后,河岸带土壤与氮转换相关的酶活性普遍受到抑制,且抑制作用随酶类型不同而存在差异,亚硝酸还原酶对咸水入侵最敏感,其活性较对照平均下降了43.5％,脲酶活性次之,其降幅为37.4％,而脱氢酶受咸水影响较小,其活性平均下降29.5％.模拟咸水入侵明显削弱了河岸带土壤反硝化作用,其速率平均下降34.9％.不同植被型河岸带土壤微生物对咸水入侵的生态生理响应存在显著差异,与对照相比,茭白根际土壤微生物数量和酶活性受咸水入侵的平均抑制率最大,土壤反硝化速率最小,其次是菖蒲和芦苇.在模拟咸水入侵下,菖蒲与芦苇混合群落根际土壤微生物数量、酶活性和反硝化速率抑制率明显低于单一植物模式,表明混合植被群落根际土壤微生物过程及反硝化作用对咸水入侵具有较好的缓冲性能.     

Influence of Pythium oligandrum on the bacterial communities that colonize the nutrient solutions and the rhizosphere of tomato plants

The influence exerted by the biocontrol oomycete Pythium oligandrum on the bacterial populations proliferating in the rhizosphere of tomato plants grown in a hydroponic system and in the circulating solutions is studied in the present experiment. Quantitative PCR and single-strand conformation polymorphism were used to investigate the genetic structure and dynamics of the bacterial communities colonizing the root systems and the various circulating solutions. Quantitative PCR assays showed that bacteria heavily colonized the rhizosphere of tomato plants with, however, no significant density changes throughout the cultural season (April-September). Single strand conformation polymorphism fingerprints revealed the occurrence of transient perturbations in the rhizospheric indigenous bacterial communities following P.?oligandrum introduction in the root system of plants. This effect was, however, transient and did not persist until the end of the cropping season. Interestingly, the genetic structure of the bacterial microflora colonizing either the roots or the nutrient solutions evolved throughout the cropping season. This temporal evolution occurred whatever the presence and persistence of P.?oligandrum in the rhizosphere. Evidence is also provided that bacterial microflora that colonize the root system are different from the ones colonizing the circulating solutions. The relationships between these 2 microflora (at the root and solution levels) are discussed.     

Plant--rhizosphere-microflora association during phytoremediation of PAH-contaminated soil

The capability of plants to promote the microbial degradation of pollutants in rhizosphere soil is a principal mechanism of phytoremediation of PAH-contaminated soil. The formation of a specific rhizosphere microbocenosis with a high degradative potential toward contaminants is largely determined by plant species. The comparative PAH-degradation in unplanted soil and in soil planted with reed (Phragmites australis) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) was studied in pot experiments during 2 years. Both alfalfa and reed successfully remediated contaminated soil by degrading 74.5 and 68.7% of PAHs, respectively. The study of the rhizosphere, rhizoplane, and unplanted-soil microflora in experimental pots showed that alfalfa stimulated the rhizosphere microflora of PAH-contaminated soil more effectively than did reed. Alfalfa clearly enhanced both the total number of microorganisms (1.3 times, according to fluorescence microscopy data) and the rate of the PAH-degrading population (almost seven times, according to plate counting). The degradative potential of its rhizosphere microflora toward PAHs was higher than the degradative activity of the reed rhizosphere. This study provides relevant information for the successful application of alfalfa to phytoremediate PAH-contaminated soil.     

Effect of Compost on Rhizosphere Microflora of the Tomato and on the Incidence of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria

Four commercial composts were added to soil to study their effect on plant growth, total rhizosphere microflora, and incidence of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in the rhizosphere of tomato plants. Three of the compost treatments significantly improved plant growth, while one compost treatment significantly depressed it. Compost amendments caused only small variations in the total numbers of bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi in the rhizosphere of tomato plants. A total of 709 bacteria were isolated from the four compost treatments and the soil control to determine the percentage of PGPR in each treatment. The PGPR tests measured antagonism to soilborne root pathogens, production of indoleacetic acid, cyanide, and siderophores, phosphate solubilization, and intrinsic resistance to antibiotics. Our results show that the addition of some composts to soil increased the incidence in the tomato rhizosphere of bacteria exhibiting antagonism towards Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici, Pyrenochaeta lycopersici, Pythium ultimum, and Rhizoctonia solani. The antagonistic effects observed were associated with marked increases in the percentage of siderophore producers. No significant differences were observed in the percentage of cyanogens, whereas the percentages of phosphate solubilizers and indoleacetic acid producers were affected, respectively, by one and two compost treatments. Intrinsic resistance to antibiotics was only marginally different among the rhizobacterial populations. Our results suggest that compost may stimulate the proliferation of antagonists in the rhizosphere and confirm previous reports indicating that the use of composts in container media has the potential to protect plants from soilborne root pathogens.     

General microflora,arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and occurrence of endophytes in the rhizosphere of two age groups of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ginkgo biloba</Emphasis> L.of Indian Central Himalaya

The populations of the general microflora (bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi) in the rhizosphere and their corresponding non-rhizosphere soil samples of Ginkgo biloba L. of two age groups (Group A, <25 years-young trees; Group B, >60 years-old trees) growing under a temperate location of Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) have been determined. Observations were also made for the diversity, distribution and colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and occurrence of endophytes in roots of G. biloba. The population of general microflora was found to be higher in the rhizosphere of Group B trees, more clearly reflected in terms of rhizosphere: soil (R:S) ratios. Contrary to this, per cent colonization and spore densities of AM fungi were higher in the rhizosphere of Group A trees as compared to the rhizosphere of Group B. AM fungal colonization was observed mostly in form of loose coils. All the spores detected, belonged to the genus Glomus with five different types. Presence of endophytes (both bacteria and fungi) was observed in the cortical cells of G. biloba roots, more profound in case of Group B trees. Data suggest that, while the species of Glomus dominated the rhizosphere of G. biloba, an inverse correlation exist between the colonization of general microflora and the colonization of AM fungi including endophytes.     

Effects of jasmonic acid, ethylene, and salicylic acid signaling on the rhizosphere bacterial community of Arabidopsis thaliana

Systemically induced resistance is a promising strategy to control plant diseases, as it affects numerous pathogens. However, since induced resistance reduces one or both growth and activity of plant pathogens, the indigenous microflora may also be affected by an enhanced defensive state of the plant. The aim of this study was to elucidate how much the bacterial rhizosphere microflora of Arabidopsis is affected by induced systemic resistance (ISR) or systemic acquired resistance (SAR). Therefore, the bacterial microflora of wild-type plants and plants affected in their defense signaling was compared. Additionally, ISR was induced by application of methyl jasmonate and SAR by treatment with salicylic acid or benzothiadiazole. As a comparative model, we also used wild type and ethylene-insensitive tobacco. Some of the Arabidopsis genotypes affected in defense signaling showed altered numbers of culturable bacteria in their rhizospheres; however, effects were dependent on soil type. Effects of plant genotype on rhizosphere bacterial community structure could not be related to plant defense because chemical activation of ISR or SAR had no significant effects on density and structure of the rhizosphere bacterial community. These findings support the notion that control of plant diseases by elicitation of systemic resistance will not significantly affect the resident soil bacterial microflora.     

Cotton roots and vitamin-requiring and amino acid-requiring bacteria

Summary The rhizosphere effects of diploid and amphidiploid strains of cotton in black cotton soils have been investigated with reference to vitamin-requiring bacteria and amino acid-requiring bacteria. Influence of cotton roots on amino acid-requiring bacteria was found to be greater than on vitamin-requiring bacteria. The rhizosphere effects of diploid strains were greater than those of amphidiploid strains. The effects were also influenced by the initial proportions of these bacterial groups in the two soils. The rhizosphere effects of inoculated plants were lower than the respective healthy controls; but those of apparently healthy (disease escapes) diploid plants and those of inoculated amphidiploid plants in PLD soil (wilt-sick) were strikingly higher than the healthy controls. Differences in the rhizosphere effects between diploid and amphidiploid plants could be correlated with the amino acid and vitamin exudations by roots of these strains, but not with reference to soil types.Part of Doctoral Thesis, University of Madras.     

The effect of microorganisms and sorption on the protease activity of plant roots

The protease activity of sterile roots of wheat was zero or very low, so that the determined values did not exceed limits of the experimental error. Roots colonized by microorganisms had a significant protease activity. The activity of protease on seeds and roots of the plants growing in a medium inoculated with the soil microflora was higher than in cases when only the epiphytic microflora of seeds served as a source of microorganisms. Sterile roots inoculated with three different strains of bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere and producing protease exhibited a considerable protease activity. The protease activity of non-sterile roots of plants growing in the dark was higher than that of plants growing under normal illumination. Crystalline proteinase was adsorbed on sterile roots and the activity of the enzyme was decreased in this adsorbed state. The adsorption of the enzyme was only slightly higher in the presence of calcium ions. Treatment of roots with a sodum chloride solution, with dextran and ethanol increased the adsorption of the proteinase by roots.     

Microbial changes in clover rhizosphere after foliar and soil application of cobalt

Application of cobalt(II) nitrate to the leaves of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) resulted in a pronounced increase of dry weight and the number of root nodules. Counts of bacteria in the rhizosphere, content of ammonia and production of carbon dioxide m rhizosphere soil were also higher, whereas the content of nitrates decreased Differences m the counts of bacteria, aotmomycetes, Azotobaoter, anaerobic bacteria and cellulose decomposing bacteria m the rhizosphere of control and treated plants were not directly related to the way of application of cobalt. GeneraPenicillium, Fusarium andTrichoderma predominated among fungi. The relative occurrence of pemcillia was higher after the application of cobalt, the incidence of fusaria was lower. The effects of foliar and soil application of cobalt on rhizosphere microflora were not identical.     

Effects of Pseudomonas putida modified to produce phenazine-1-carboxylic acid and 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol on the microflora of field grown wheat

Pseudomonas putida WCS358r, genetically modified to have improved activity against soil-borne pathogens, was released into the rhizosphere of wheat. Two genetically modified derivatives carried the phzor the phl biosynthetic gene loci and constitutively produced either the antifungal compound phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA) or the antifungal and antibacterial compound 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG). In 1997 and 1998, effects of single introductions of PCA producing derivatives on the indigenous microflora were studied. A transient shift in the composition of the total fungal microflora, determined by amplified ribosomal DNA restiction analysis (ARDRA), was detected. Starting in 1999, effects of repeated introduction of genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs) were studied. Wheat seeds coated with the PCA producer, the DAPG producer, a mixture of the PCA and DAPG producers, or WCS358r, were sown and the densities, composition and activities of the rhizosphere microbial populations were measured. All introduced strains decreased from 10⁷CFU per gram of rhizosphere sample to below the detection limit after harvest of the wheat plants. The phz genes were stably maintained in the PCA producers, and PCA was detected in rhizosphere extracts of plants treated with this strain or with the mixture of the PCA and DAPG producers. The phl genes were also stably maintained in the DAPG producing derivative of WCS358r. Effects of the genetically modified bacteria on the rhizosphere fungi and bacteria were analyzed by using amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis. Introduction of the genetically modified bacterial strains caused a transient change in the composition of the rhizosphere microflora. However, introduction of the GMMs did not affect the several soil microbial activities that were investigated in this study. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Plant treatment in relation to the rhizosphere effect

Summary Unlike the usual methods of studying the rhizosphere microflora of crop plants, a new method of pretreatment of roots of one week old rice seedlings (MTU9) (grown in modified Robbins' nutrient solution) with 1 ppm and 5 ppm of patulin, griseofulvin, gibberellin and actidione as well as in 5, 10 and 50 ppm of agrimycin-100 and 0.1M urea has been tried. The effect of these substances on quality and quantity of rhizosphere microflora are discussed from the results of rhizosphere analysis obtained by routine methods.Part of Doctoral thesis, University of Madras 1960.     

Rhizosphere effect and fine-root morphological adaptations in a chronosequence of silver birch stands on reclaimed oil shale post-mining areas

Mining activities create wastelands that require reclamation. The relief of abandoned opencast oil shale mining area is rugged, and the mining spoil is extremely stony and alkaline (pH 8), with low N and organic content. Planting of fast-growing deciduous tree species such as silver birch (Betula pendula) on post-mining area is the best means to accelerate the development of a new forest ecosystem in such harsh conditions. A chronosequence of silver birch stands (1, 2, 3, 5, 29, 40 years old) was investigated to reveal changes in bulk soil (S) and rhizosphere (R) properties, in rhizosphere effect on bacterial activity and diversity, and in fine-root morphological adaptations in relation to stand development. The rhizosphere effect on bacterial activity was measured as a rhizosphere/soil (R/S) ratio and on species diversity as a similarity (%) between rhizosphere and bulk soil bacterial communities. Bacterial species diversity was determined by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) technique and was expressed as Shannon diversity index. Biolog EcoPlates were used to determine the summed activity of cultivable bacteria in rhizosphere and bulk soil. Short-root morphological parameters were measured using WinRHIZO™ Pro.Soil pH and available P concentration decreased logarithmically, and N% and organic matter concentration increased linearly with increasing stand age. During the first 30 years of stand development SIR increased an order, from 0.18 to 1.90 mg C g⁻¹. Bulk soil bacterial diversity increased logarithmically with stand age. The bacterial diversity was higher in rhizosphere than in bulk soil. Rhizosphere effect on bacterial activity was low a year after planting, increased more than two times in the next 2 years, and decreased thereafter rapidly with stand age. Rhizosphere effect, indicating plant support to rhizosphere microbial communities, was highest when soil conditions were still poor, but trees had already overcome the transplant shock. All short-root morphological parameters showed certain trends with age. Specific short-root length varied between 56 and 313 m g⁻¹ and decreased logarithmically with stand age and soil improvement. The fastest changes in short-root morphology, rhizosphere effect, and soil pH occurred during the early development of silver birch stands - in the first 5 years; P nutrition and N use efficiency improved simultaneously. Rhizosphere effect and short-root morphological adaptation have an important role in soil and stand development on oil shale post-mining area, and silver birch is a promising tree species for reclamation of alkaline mining spoil.