Growth, Nitrogen Accumulation and Nitrogen Transfer by Legume Species Established on Mine Spoils

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Abstract
N deficiency is an important factor limiting plant growth on many types of mine and mineral spoils. One method of overcoming this problem is to use legume species which are able to accumulate N in such spoils. The growth, N accumulation and N transfer to a companion species was compared in contrasting legume species established on colliery spoil and on sand waste from the extraction of china clay. Legumes are an effective means of accumulating N in such spoils with rates as high as 295 kg N ha-1 yr-1 being measured for Lupinus perennis sown on sand waste. N transfer from legumes to a companion grass was also apparent. Trifolium repens sown on colliery spoil increased the N content of the companion grass by 76 kg ha-1 within 2 yr of sowing. A wider range of legume species than conventionally used is available, offering greater tolerance of the extreme conditions of mine spoils combined with high rates of N accumulation. It is necessary to develop reclamation strategies which incorporate such species.