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Abstract
Slickspot peppergrass (Lepidium papilliferum) is an herbaceous biennal or possibly perennial “rare” endemic plant of the southwestern Idaho high desert listed as a threatened species. This plant establishes perennial seed banks, with seeds remaining dormant and viable for several years. This study aimed to enhance the germination and early growth of this plant by adopting a new medium, a nutrient-enriched agar solution, also added with humic acid (HA) and water-extractable organic matter (WEOM) fractions isolated from a green compost (GC) and a mixed compost (MC). The germination percentage of slickspot peppergrass in this new medium was much greater than that obtained in previous studies. Further, the addition of GC-HA in the medium enhanced significantly the germination and early growth of this plant. The addition of GC-WEOM and MC-WEOM were beneficial only on plant growth for at least 7 months.
Acknowledgment
This work was supported by Research Contract No. W911NF-08-1-0076 of the U.S. Army RDECOM ACQ CTR–W911NF, Durham, N.C., USA, with the project title “Effects of quality composts and other organic amendments and their humic and fulvic acid fractions on the germination and early growth of slickspot peppergrass (Lepidium papilliferum) and switchgrass in various experimental conditions,” funded by the Airspace, Ranges, and Airfield Operations Division, HQ Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, Va. The opinions and conclusions in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, or the federal government.