While still moist, the minesoils 

 were packed in plastic greenhouse 

 pots that measured 16.5 cm in 

 diameter at the bottom, 23 cm 

 diameter at the top, and 23 cm 

 tall. The minesoils were compacted 

 in 1 cm increments to create columns 

 of near uniform densities equival- 

 ent to 1.6, 1.8, and 2.0 g/cm3, 

 allowing for the moisture content 

 ( ^ .30 g water/g minesoil). After 

 all the minesoils were compacted, 

 approximately 100 milliliters of 

 water were added to the columns 

 each day for 3 consecutive days 

 before seeding. 



Kentucky 31 tall fescue ( Festuca 

 arundinacea , Selection Ky-31) and 

 sericea lespedeza ( Lespedeza cuneata ) 

 were selected for the study because 

 these two species are commonly 

 used in reclaiming surface mines. 

 Prior to planting, seed of both 

 species were tested to assure via- 

 bility. Fifty seeds of each species 

 were sowed on top of the compacted 

 minesoil columns and covered with 

 dampened filter paper to prevent 

 desiccation. 



The containers were placed on 

 a greenhouse bench in a randomized 

 complete block design with six 

 treatment combinations (three 

 density levels, two species) with 

 three replications. After a seedling 

 stand was established, pots were 

 watered periodically to recharge 

 the minesoil to near 0.33 bar suction. 



Plants were allowed to experience 

 moderate moisture stress intermit- 

 tently. Natural day length was 

 extended by artificial light for 

 about 4 hours at the end of each 

 day during February, March, and 

 April. Ambient air temperature 

 and relative humidity were monitor- 

 ed for the duration of the study. 



Fescue was readily established 

 in all pots, but sericea lespedeza 

 required several seedings to estab- 

 lish an adequate stand. Germina- 

 tion of sericea seed was adequate 

 (50%) but seedling radicles did not 

 make adequate growth to penetrate 

 the minesoil surface. An adequate 

 sericea stand was finally established 

 in all containers by mid-March. 

 Warmer spring temperatures and a 

 more friable minesoil surface may 

 have contributed to its eventual 

 establishment. After they were 

 well established, the fescue and 

 sericea seedlings were thinned to 

 20 plants per pot. Fescue and 

 sericea both were allowed to grow 

 for approximately 180 days after 

 thinning. The fescue was harvested 

 in late July and sericea lespedeza 

 was harvested in mid-October. 

 The tops of both sericea and fescue 

 were dried and weighed immediately 

 after harvest. Root development 

 could not be measured accurately 

 because the minesoil was so com- 

 pacted, but it was observed for 

 general growth patterns. 



3 



