ABSTRACT
I. INTRODUCTION
Studies of mycorrhizal relationships on mine spoils and tailings have spanned nearly two decades. In most instances, the mycorrhizal status of plants growing on mine spoils has been of concern, whereas only relatively few evaluations of the actual effects of the plant-fungus symbioses on plant growth and survival have been made. The essential nature of mycorrhizae for the successful colonization of certain mine wastes was established by the landmark work of J. R. Schramm in the early 1960s. Since that time, research has been expanded to include vesicular-arbuscular (VA) and ericoid mycorrhizae and the development of techniques for inoculating hosts with fungi specifically adapted to spoils. In spite of these advances, mycorrhizal aspects of revegetation programs remain largely in an experimental phase. Reclamation of mined land requires innovative techniques that reduce costs and increase the chance of success of plant establishment and survival. Understanding the role of mycorrhizal associations in relation to establishment and development of plant communities may offer solutions to some of the problems encountered in operational reclamation programs.
