Phragmites australis dieback in the Mississippi River Delta: Chemical profiles of healthy, dieback and dredge soils and impacts on plant biomass

Phragmites australis is exhibiting extensive dieback in the Lower Mississippi River Delta (MRD). We explored the potential for restoration of these marshes by 1) characterizing the chemical profiles of soils collected from healthy and dieback stands of P. australis and from sites recently created from dredge-disposal soils that were expected to be colonized by P. australis and 2) experimentally testing the effects of these soil types on the growth of three common P. australis lineages, Delta, Gulf and European. Soil chemical properties included Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, Zn, % organic matter, % carbon, % nitrogen, and pH. Dieback soils were characterized by higher % organic matter, % carbon, % nitrogen, and higher S and Fe concentrations, whereas healthy soils had higher Cu, Al, P and Zn. In comparison, dredge sites were low in nutrients and organic matter compared to healthy soils. Rhizomes of each P. australis lineage were planted in each soil type in a common garden and greenhouse and allowed to grow for five months. Aboveground biomass was 16–23% lower in dieback and 44% lower in dredge soils than in healthy soils. Dieback soils most negatively affected Delta followed by European and Gulf lineages. Although dredge and dieback sites are not optimal for P. australis growth, plants can thrive on these soils, and we recommend restorative measures be initiated as soon as possible to minimize soil erosion.