Microbial endophytes and compost improve plant growth in two contrasting types of hard rock mining waste.

This study quantifies improvements to plant growth, soil fertility, and trace element stabilization with a municipal waste compost topdressing and diazotrophic endophyte seed coating in two common hard rock mining wastes of the western United States. It establishes that a widespread perennial grass, Bouteloua curtipendula, can grow despite high concentrations of phytotoxic trace elements and minimal soil nutrients, and stabilizes trace elements on or in its roots, making it a suitable option for re-vegetation or phytostabilization of hard rock mining wastes.