An appraisal of Miscanthus x giganteus cultivation for fly ash revegetation and soil restoration

The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of Miscanthus x giganteus (MxG) for fly ash (FA) revegetation and soil restoration. To evaluate its growth ability on FA, plant development during pot experiments was compared to that obtain in a reference soil. Several physico-chemical parameters (pH, conductivity, dissolved organic carbon, ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate and potassium contents) and microbiological parameters (enumeration of total, ammonia oxidising and nitrite oxidising culturable bacteria and community diversity analysis) were investigated after plant growth. Plants demonstrated an adaptation to the FA substrate, with an average stem length and biomass production that was half of that observed in the reference soil. Lower chlorophyll contents were measured but the absence of necrosis symptom and hydration rates of aerial parts above 70% suggested physiological adaptation of plants to the FA substrate. Moreover, significant organic carbon inputs could be measured in FA leachates after 17 weeks of laboratory cultivation, which could be related to the establishment of MxG rhizosphere. Besides, the emergence of specific bacterial phylotype could be reported at the FA–root interface. Analysis of FA leachates in planted pots also showed marked decreases of nitrate but increases of nitrite contents, indicating a nitrogen cycle restart. Field trials confirmed the growth potential of MxG directly on FA, without any requirement of additional landfill soil amendment. Finally, we believe that fly ash revegetation with MxG could be an effective strategy for cost effective and long term FA disposal site rehabilitation.

► Miscanthus x giganteus is able to grow directly on fly ash without any input requirement of fertiliser.
► Continuous aerial and belowground biomass production is observed, demonstrating plant adaptation to the substrate.
► Significant soluble organic carbon and nitrite increases are measured after 17 weeks of plant growth.
► Plant adaptation to environmental conditions suggests the possibility of cultivation at a global scale.