Land reclamation is a critical environmental challenge, especially in areas with degraded soil like tailings piles. The HumaTerra team completed a series of trials to assess the efficacy of H-Start Reclaim in facilitating plant growth and root development in challenging conditions.
Both trials used a sample from a tailings pile that was extremely low in nutrient availability, organic matter, and other biology typically required for sustainable plant growth as the growing medium.
NOTE: These trials were under controlled conditions and cannot be guaranteed as performance indicators in a natural setting.
Key Findings
- A general improvement of soil functionality, growth hormone production, and salt tolerance was observed from an application of H-Start Reclaim.
- The observed increase in root and shoot mass was attributed to changes in microbial communities, supporting the role of H-Start Reclaim for reclamation efforts.
- Genetic transfer and enhanced soil functionality with H-Start Reclaim was confirmed.
- A surface or hydroseeded application of H-Start along with additional nutrients, seeds, and tackifiers would be a very effective combination to re-develop soil functionality and subsequent plant establishment in reclamation efforts.
Trial 1: Hydroseeding with H-Start Reclaim
The first trial, conducted from October 10 to November 15, 2022, aimed to gauge the impact of H-Start Reclaim on soil function and tall red fescue growth. Seeds were placed on the surface of the sample from a tailings pile to replicate a hydroseeding operation. Two formulations of H-Start were used at two rates: H-Start A and H-Start B at both 500 kg/ha and 1000 kg/ha.
What we measured:
- Germination rates
- Shoot and root weight
- DNA analysis to identify improvements in soil quality
Germination and Growth Results
- H-Start Reclaim A at 500 kg/ha showed a significant increase in root and shoot
- Delayed germination was observed in plants treated with H-Start Reclaim B at 1000 kg/ha, affecting final biomass measurements.
- The plants that did germinate early at this rate were top performers in the trial.
- Later germinating plants demonstrated vigorous growth by the end of the trial.
- Germination rates could have been affected by seed quality, seed placement, or poor seed to soil contact.
| Treatment | Shoot Weight (g/plant) | % Change from Control |
| B 500kg/ha | 0.00387 | 87.1% |
| B 1000kg/ha | 0.00314 | 51.7% |
| A 1000kg/ha | 0.00300 | 44.8% |
| A 500kg/ha | 0.00287 | 38.4% |
| Control | 0.00207 | 0% |
| Treatment | Root Weight (g/plant) | % Change from Control |
| B 500kg/ha | 0.00137 | 13.2% |
| A 1000kg/ha | 0.00121 | 0.0% |
| Control | 0.00121 | 0% |
| A 500kg/ha | 0.00113 | -6.7% |
| B 1000kg/ha | 0.00100 | -17.6% |
Soil DNA Analysis Results
At the end of each trial, residual soil was sent for DNA analysis by Biome Makers DNA testing lab. The DNA testing tells us the degree of genetic transfer from H-Start Reclaim and the resulting restoration of key soil functions.
- DNA analysis revealed increased bacteria and fungi, particularly with H-Start Reclaim B at 1000 kg/ha.
- The control soil showed an increase in soil biological counts consistent with the natural byproducts of plant growth.
- Stress adaptation microbes increased in soils treated with H-Start Reclaim but not in the control.
- Growth hormones auxin and cytokinin increased in the soil treated with H-Start. These hormones are likely responsible for the root and shoot growth observed.
- Increases in microbes responsible for increased salt tolerance were observed in the H-Start treated soil.
Trial 2: Exploring Genetic Transfer and Growth Patterns
The second trial, conducted from November 28 to December 19, 2022, focused on lower rates of H-Start Reclaim B (100 kg/ha and 200 kg/ha) with Diploid Annual Ryegrass. One experiment included the addition of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) to explore the potential for prescriptive blends of H-Start in certain soil types.
What we measured:
- Germination rates
- Shoot and root weight
- DNA analysis to identify improvements in soil quality
Results
- H-Start Reclaim at 200 kg/ha + PGPR exhibited increased root mass due to increased absorbent root hairs but only a slight increase in above ground shoot length. The treatment of 200 kg per hectare exhibited longer roots with less root hairs and resulting lower root mass.
- Germination was observed on approximately 50% of seeds 48 hours after planting.
- Aggressive growth was exhibited in the first 14 days in trials. Rapid plant decline began after 18 days.
- Very little difference in above ground plant biomass was observed upon termination due to general decline of all trials.
| Root Weight (g/plant) | % Change From Control | |
| 200 kgs + PGPR | 0.0082 | 46.4% |
| 100 kgs + PGPR | 0.0065 | 16.1% |
| 200 kgs /ha | 0.0063 | 13.1% |
| 100 kgs /ha | 0.0056 | 0.0% |
| Control | 0.0056 |
| Plant Height (cm) | % Change From Control | |
| 200 kgs /ha | 11.2 | 4.9% |
| 200 kgs + PGPR | 10.8 | 0.9% |
| Control | 10.7 | |
| 100 kgs /ha | 10.5 | -1.9% |
| 100 kgs + PGPR | 10.5 | -1.9% |
Learn More
HumaTerra continues to test H-Start Reclaim and other H-Start products for both their impact on root and shoot biomass and influence on soil health. Get in touch to learn more or if you’d like to trial H-Start Reclaim on a reclamation site.
