Native bacteria and cyanobacteria can influence seedling emergence and growth of native plants used in dryland restoration

Seed-based ecosystem restoration has huge potential to restore degraded drylands. However, fewer than 10% of directly sown seeds transition established seedlings. One the factors restricting plant establishment in soils is low abundance and diversity native soil micro-organisms. In this study, we investigated whether returning indigenous bacteria cyanobacteria consortia dryland improved seedling emergence, survival growth plants. We inoculated ‘culturable whole soil’ heterotrophic biocrust individually as a mixed inoculant into extruded pellets containing Acacia inaequilatera (Fabaceae) Triodia epactia (Poaceae) seeds. The were planted an active minefield for 28 weeks emergence total biomass plants determined. Cyanobacteria inoculants increased A. by 55% 48%, respectively. Seedling T. was 20% but not bacteria. only effect inoculation on or mass per surviving either species 11% reduction seedlings that with cyanobacteria. Synthesis applications: Our results suggest benefit micro-organisms both specific life stage specific, particularly strong benefits early stages recruitment. experiment conducted under shade additional water, so worthwhile future direction would be quantify unmodified field conditions. It also monitoring outcomes longer weeks. Since one critical challenges restoration, our study provides direct evidence use potentially improve seed-based restoration.