Floristic And Microbial Diversity In Different Coal Mine Overburdens And Adjacent Natural Forest Of Chhattisgarh, India

In the present study, percent AMF (Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi) colonization and spore density in different overburden vegetations and in natural forest was evaluated to study the pattern of recovery of vegetation at overburdens. Total eight forest species were planted on coal mine overburdens aged 2, 3 and 5 years located in nearby areas of Korba, India. Sissoo (Dalbergia sissoo), Peltaphorum (Peltaphorum ferrugineum) and Bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) were best in harboring highest number of AMF. The mean root colonization in tree species was increased 61.98% in 3 years and 110.23% in 5 years compared with the species of 2 year. The dominant AMF were Acaulospora scrobiculata and Rhizophagus irregularis in 2 year overburdens and Funneliformis mosseae, Gigaspora and Sclerocystis in older overburdens and forest soil. The diversity index of AMF was found 1.80, 2.14 and 2.49 in 2, 3 and 5 year overburdens respectively while the diversity index of other soil fungi was found 1.61 in 2 years, 1.73 in 3 year and 2.10 in 5 year aged of overburdens compared to natural forest (2.21). Total 11, 25 and 29 ground species were recorded from 2, 3, 5 year overburden respectively and 25 species from the site of natural forest. The root colonization in ground vegetation was found 28.03%, 31.86% and 39.43% in 2, 3 and 5 year old re-vegetated overburden respectively in comparison to natural forest (29.08%). The status of soil pH and phosphorus was also ameliorated in older dumps.